Chapter 16
I go to work every day and come home. I rarely see Caleb now, but Ava often calls me.
Sometimes she talks about things in kindergarten, sometimes about Caleb.
Around Spring Festival, Ava called me.
Over the phone, she asked in her childish voice, “Mom, are you coming back for New Year’s?”
I sighed, “I’m sorry, baby. But you can come to Mom’s place for New Year’s.”
4:45 AM
<
“Mom, Aunt Iris was sent away. We don’t have a mistress at home anymore. Will you come back?”
That day, I was silent for a long time. Over the phone, I apologized to her, “I’m sorry, baby. Mom is very sorry for letting you go through these things. But Mom’s leaving wasn’t just because of Aunt Iris. There are many problems, and Mom can’t go back anymore. Baby, do you miss Mom? Come stay at Mom’s place for a few days…”
“Mom, if I leave, Dad will be sad. Mom, Dad is already very sad since you left…”
I swallowed the rest of what I wanted to say, “I’m sorry, Ava.”
“It’s okay. Dad says you love us the most, and you’ve just forgotten us now… When you remember everything, you’ll definitely come back. Mom, I love you, and I love Dad too.”
”
Later, after the call ended, I sat in the room staring at the ceiling for a long time. After a long while, I sighed and pinched my aching brow.
At the end of the year, Mia and I went shopping.
Mia went to get something, and I was looking at my phone when I suddenly heard Ava’s voice.
“Mom.”
I instinctively looked up and looked around but couldn’t find anyone.
Just then, Caleb called me, “Hazel, is Ava with you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Ava has been insisting on spending New Year’s with you these past two days. Today she suddenly disappeared.”
“Caleb, what have you been doing? Where’s your housekeeper? Your manager? Have you checked the surveillance cameras?”
“We’ve checked. Don’t panic. She left on her own, heading towards your place. I’ve taken her there before, she remembers the
way.”
I forced myself to calm down before continuing, “I’m going home now. You go report to the police and check the street cameras!“‘
“Okay.”
Just as the call ended, I heard another clear “Mom.”
I quickly looked up. It was indeed Ava’s voice.
I followed the sound and saw a small door behind the supermarket. There seemed to be a child–like figure standing there.
I hurried over and pushed open the door, only to find it was a doll.
Next to the doll was a recorder, constantly calling out “Mom.”
I instinctively felt something was wrong, but before I could leave, I felt a sharp pain in my head and heavily passed out.
