Chapter 685

But even when the police arrived, Mrs. Stapleton adamantly insisted the homeless man was Norton, her son.

The couple, frustrated, produced the man’s ID card and their family register, handing them to the police for verification. The police confirmed it, but Mrs. Stapleton still wouldn’t let them take the man.

Seeing how certain Mrs. Stapleton was, the police were hesitant, worried about making a mistake. They decided to take the homeless man to the station for the time being and asked Mrs. Stapleton to provide her own proof.

“That won’t be necessary.”

Theodore had arrived. He pulled back Mrs. Stapleton, who was trying to block the way, and said to the police, “My mother has made a mistake. This man is not my brother.”

“What nonsense are you talking? You haven’t even looked at him! How can you say he’s not your brother?” Mrs. Stapleton cried urgently.

Theodore didn’t answer her. He simply held her back, allowing the middle-aged couple to lead their son away.

“Norton! Norton!”

Mrs. Stapleton shouted frantically. The homeless man was frightened by her and quickly pulled his mother along as they hurried away.

Watching the young man leave without a backward glance, Mrs. Stapleton was overcome with anger and distress, and she fainted.

Theodore caught Mrs. Stapleton in his arms. Penelope drove, and they rushed her to the hospital.

They assumed she had just fainted from the emotional shock, but after a series of examinations, the doctor informed them that Mrs. Stapleton’s condition was very serious and that they should transfer her to a major hospital immediately.

That same night, they returned to Orenth.

After another round of tests at the hospital, it was confirmed: Mrs. Stapleton had pancreatic cancer, and it was in its final stages.

“I know what illness I have, and I know I don’t have much time left.”

When she regained consciousness, Mrs. Stapleton was remarkably calm. She looked at Theodore. “I found out about it a year ago. I didn’t tell any of you. I didn’t want anyone to be sad for me, especially you, Theo.”

Theodore was still trying to process the sudden, devastating news. He clenched his fists. “The doctor said if you cooperate with the treatment…”

“It will only extend my life by a month or two, right?”

“What’s the point? Unless my sins are so great that you want to punish me with that extra month or two.”

Theodore gritted his teeth. “How… how am I supposed to accept this! Lorraine, Dad, you, and…”

“And who else?” Mrs. Stapleton asked quickly.

Theodore fought back his words. “There has to be another way!”

“Theo, my only wish now is to find Norton. As long as he can come home safely, I can die in peace. But don’t understand. You loved him so much why haven’t you looked for him these past six years? And why, when finally found him, did you let someone else take him away? Why would you do that?”

Mrs. Stapleton became agitated again, even trying to sit up.

“He wasn’t Norton.”

“He was Norton! I wouldn’t be mistaken!”

Theodore wanted to say more but was afraid of upsetting her further He told her to get some rest, said he had work to attend to, and started to leave.

W!

“Are you determined to let your mother die with regrets?” Mrs. Stapleton shouted after him, her voice filled with anguish.

Theodore strode out of the room and leaned against the adjacent wall, closing his eyes wearily.

“I’ll stay at the hospital tonight,” Penelope said, walking over to him.

Theodore straightened up and turned his face away. “There’s no need.”

“Theodore, at a time like this, can we please not be at odds with each other?”

Hearing this, Theodore shot Penelope a cold look.

“And what role would you be playing, staying here to take care of my mother?”

“…..”

“My ex-wife?” Theodore scoffed. “Unnecessary.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Penelope wasn’t angered by his

words. She knew that Theodore was covered in thorns right now. When

he lashed out at others he was the

one hurting the most.