Chapter 661
They had hoped this child would provide them with support in their old age, but just a few years after adopting Eileen, Denise became pregnant with Roderick. As time passed, Lowell and Denise grew distant. When they divorced, both fought over Roderick, and neither of them wanted Eileen.
“In truth, you should feel better knowing they aren’t your real parents,” Ruby said, her voice wavering as she struggled to offer comfort. She wasn’t sure whether her words were soothing or not.
Eileen slumped in her seat, her hands resting loosely at her sides. Her calm eyes were filled with emotion, but she didn’t feel much. She only felt slight discomfort.
“You know, if you want to track down your real parents, I might have a lead,” Ruby said. “When Lowell and Denise took you home, you were wearing a small gold locket with an ‘E’ on it. Lowell saw it briefly before the seller took it away. He did take a photo of it, though, and I still have that photo.”
Eileen’s memory flickered with the image of the gold locket in a photo she had seen in Ruby’s house, carefully tucked away in a book. Their life had been tough, and they’d lost the photo once. Ruby had spent a long time searching for it.
Ruby had hinted that the locket was important to Eileen’s past, but at the time, Eileen hadn’t grasped its significance. Now, everything clicked.
“I’ll give you the photo when we get back. With your influence now, you’ll surely find your real parents,” Ruby said warmly.
Eileen shifted in her seat and smiled at Ruby. “I’m getting married tomorrow. Let’s focus on that now. Whether I find my biological parents or have the locket, it’s not as important as having you with me. That’s what truly matters.”
The locket’s value suggested to Eileen that her real parents might have been wealthy. No matter whether she had been lost or stolen, her wealthy biological parents should have been able to find her. Yet, no one had come looking. So why would she look for them?
“Eileen, whether you choose to search for your real parents or not, and regardless of who they might be, you will always be my daughter,” Ruby said, her voice gentle and unwavering. “I don’t have much to offer for your wedding, but I borrowed a bit from Bailee. Please accept this as my gift to you.”
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Ruby had intended to present the money later, but the topic of Eileen’s biological parents had prompted her to give it to Eileen now.
“You can’t reject it. Bailee’s money is part of your own funds, so… you’re merely receiving your own money,” Ruby said, her voice tinged with a touch of embarrassment.
Ruby believed Denise was right about one thing. Eileen had done so much for her, and Ruby knew she could never fully repay her.
“Eileen has endured so much over the years, especially during your illness,” Ruby continued. “You’ve given Bryan and me more than we could ever repay. Without you, I wouldn’t have met Bryan, and we wouldn’t have the life we enjoy today.”
Eileen started the car and eased into the traffic, making her way home. She was calm, having not been affected by the matter as much as Ruby had feared.