Chapter 62

They say a happy childhood can heal a lifetime, while an unhappy one takes a lifetime to heal.

Marguerite largely agreed with that sentiment.

Her parents had died in an accident when she was fourteen. Until then, she had enjoyed a complete childhood, sheltered by their love. They had given her endless affection, provided for her every need, and showed her the world. As their first child, they had wanted to lay the world's treasures at her feet.

This upbringing filled her with a radiant confidence, a belief that she deserved all the good things life had to offer. Her parents were her role models; she emulated them in everything she did, from how they treated people to how they handled business. They were brilliant, both top graduates from prestigious universities, admired and praised wherever they went.

Under their influence, Marguerite naturally aspired to be just as exceptional, to be the most dazzling person in any room. And with their unconditional love and support, she had succeeded.

When her parents passed away, Theobald was eleven and Simon was seven. Their childhoods, too, were mostly complete and happy.

But Aaron was different.

He was only two when they died, still stumbling as he learned to walk.

Marguerite had tried her best to shower him with love, to give him the happiness and guidance he needed. But she was still a child herself. She couldn't replace the love of two parents on her own.

Fortunately, Aaron thrived. He grew into a chubby, adorable, and cheerful little boy.

Then tragedy struck again. When Aaron was six, she died in her own car crash, casting another dark shadow over his already imperfect childhood.

By then, Theobald was fifteen and Simon was eleven. With her as their example, they should have been able to raise Aaron well.

But fate was cruel. When he was seven, he disappeared.

Marguerite had asked Theobald for the details. He told her it was a weekend, and he'd taken Simon and Aaron to the park. It was a hot day, so he left them in a shady spot while he went to buy them some water When he returned, only Simon was there. Aaron was gone.

They rushed to the park office to check the security footage, but the park had few cameras, and none of them had captured him. Theobald called the police, but the investigation yielded no leads and eventually went cold.

Theobald never gave up. He printed missing person flyers and

distributed them everywhere, but

nothing came of it. For years, henet

continued the search, and once he took over the company and had the resources, he expanded his efforts, posting notices online.

Still nothing.

Deep down, he had begun to fear that Aaron was either no longer alive or had been trafficked to some

remote, off-the-grid area with nonet

internet or television. If he'd had

access to either, surely he would have seen the notices. He could have found his way back to Northpine; all he would have needed was a bus ticket.

But he never did. Theobald would occasionally get calls from people claiming to be

Aaron, but they were always imposters.

Now, looking at the boy standing before her, a whirlwind of questions filled Marguerite's mind.

He was right here in Northpine.

He couldn't possibly be unaware that Theobald was the CEO of Starlight Group.

He could have walked into the company headquarters, he could have come home, so why hadn't he?

Had he lost his memory?

And how had the chubby little boy she remembered become so thin and withdrawn, his demeanor so dark?

What in the world had happened to him?

She had practically raised him herself. The sight of him now sent a thousand tiny needles of pain piercing through her heart.