Chapter 5 Her Return

Beverly POV

The flight back to Michigan felt like the longest one I had ever taken. Maybe it was because it had been so long since I'd been here... or maybe it was the circumstances surrounding my return. I honestly didn't know.

The entire time, I sat by the window, watching the ground below slowly shrink as we ascended the sky. Buildings became dots and the roads thinned into faint lines.

With every passing minute, my chest tightened, my heart racing like it wanted to leap right out of me. Anxiety coiled deep in my stomach one I knew had nothing to do with flying a plane. I took slow, measured breaths at intervals, whispering to myself that I could do this again and again until the plane finally touched down.

When I stepped out, I drew in a deep breath of the city's air. It felt different. Fresher. The city had changed so much since the last time I was here, and despite myself, I felt a flicker of awe. Tall buildings. Brighter lights. A new kind of movement. But the amazement didn't last long before nostalgia crept in, dragging along memories of everything that had gone wrong here. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to steady my thoughts.

I moved toward the roadside outside the airline terminal and boarded a cab, giving the driver the address of the hotel I had booked weeks before arriving. Yes-I had already sorted everything out.

The plan was simple.

Find the anonymous doctor, listen to what he had to say then find out who was involved in taking my son away from me and make them pay if that was the case.

Or, at the very least, uncover the truth behind his death and finally get the closure I needed.

Either way, I wasn't planning to stay longer than a month.

The cab eventually rolled to a halt in front of one of the most expensive hotels in town. After paying my fare, I stepped out and approached the bright-faced receptionist at the front desk. The check-in process was smooth, and soon enough, I was headed to my suite in the VIP section.

The room was decent and exactly to my taste. I unpacked without hesitation, then headed straight for the bathroom after a long, warm shower which j washed away the exhaustion clinging to my bones then returned back into the room afterwards. Food arrived just minutes after I settled in, and once I ate to my fill, I finally felt human again.

I took out my phone and sent a brief email to the anonymous doctor, letting him know I was back in the country. After that, restlessness settled in staying indoors suddenly felt suffocating so I decided to step out.

It had been so long since I left this city and I wanted to see how much it had changed, how much it had grown.

I got into another cab and asked the driver to take me to the country amusement park. I let my eyes drink in everything as we moved along-new structures, familiar corners that felt strangely distant now. After a lot of sightseeing through some of the city's most popular and beautiful spots, I decided to stop at the kids' general playground located in the middle of the park.

It was one place I had always loved back in Dasu.

Watching children play laughing, running and screaming with pure excitement always filled something empty inside me. It gave me a strange sense of fulfillment and I knew my tour wouldn't feel complete without visiting one, and that was why I had saved it for last. It was the best.

When I arrived, I settled onto a stool by the side and simply watched. Children of different races and colors ran around freely, their joy contagious. The scene warmed my heart, and for a moment, I forgot why I was here in this country.

But as I kept watching, my eyes drifted to the far end of the playground.

A little boy maybe six or seven sat alone on a bench, staring at the other kids with sad and gloomy look on his face an expression too heavy for someone his age.

Something about him felt... different and from where I sat, I noticed how pale he looked, how skinny his small frame was. He was cute really cute yet looked fragile in a way that made my chest ache. And there was something about him that looked looked familiar too he looked so much like someone I knew but I wasn't ready to admit it.

But why wasn't he playing with the others?

My heart softened completely as I watched him and before I could stop myself I stood immediately and walked toward him.

"Hi there," I called softly, giving a small wave as I approached.

"Hi, Auntie," he replied, waving back. His brows creased slightly, surprise flickering across his face at my unfamiliar presence. Still, he didn't pull away when I sat beside him on the bench.

"So... I'm Beverly," I said gently. "And you are...?"

He didn't answer immediately Instead, he studied me his eyes sharp and assessing, like he was trying to figure me out. It was strange. Most kids would have blurted out their name without thinking, but he was different.

And again, that feeling returned... that he reminded me of someone.

"It's okay if you don't want to say your name-"

"Liam," he said suddenly.

I raised a brow, surprised.

"My name's Liam," he repeated.

I smiled warmly at him. "That's a nice name. So, Liam... can I ask why you're not playing with the other kids?"

"It's because I'm sick," he said quietly and my brow creased because I didn't get him but as if understanding my confusion he repeated. "They won't let me... because I'm sick."

Then to further his point he lifted his left hand, and only then did I notice the IV line connected to the pole beside him.

My heart shattered completely at the sight.

"Oh my God... I'm so sorry-"

"Liam!" a sharp voice suddenly called from behind at that instant.

I turned to see a middle-aged woman approaching, a frown etched deep into her face.

"What have you been told about talking to strangers?" she scolded, glaring at the boy.

"It's okay, Nanny Marcy," Liam said quickly. "She's just a friend. Her name is Beverly."

The woman turned her gaze to me, eyes scanning me from head to toe, cautious and alert and after a moment--after she clearly realized I meant no harm--her expression softened.

"Oh-hi, dear. I'm Marcy."

"I'm Beverly," I said, forcing a smile as I stretched out my hand. She shook it without hesitation.

"I'm sorry for how I reacted earlier," she added. "You know how it is... Liam is a bit different, and we're very protective of him."

"I understand," I nodded sincerely.

She smiled again. "If you don't mind, I'll step away."

With that, she left us.

I turned back to Liam. He was still seated, his eyes fixed on the kids playing. Closer now, I caught the longing in his gaze, the way his fingers curled against the bench like he wanted to run toward them but knew he couldn't.

My chest burned at the sight such a sweet yet unfortunate boy to think life had robbed him of his childhood and hell nothing could be more painful than that.

"Since you can't play with the other kids," I said softly after a while trying to help him. "how about I play with you?"

His face lit up almost instantly.

"Really? You'll play with me?" His voice trembled with excitement I didn't expect.

"Yes," I smiled feeling my heart warmed again with his smile. "Just tell me what you want to play."

He squealed happily.

And that was it we played for a really long time--long enough for the sun to start dipping low. For the first time that day, he laughed freely. And when my phone buzzed with a message from the doctor, telling me where to meet him, sadness settled deep in my chest.

I hated that I had to leave but I had no choice.

"Am I going to see you again, Aunt Beverly?" he asked suddenly just as I stood to leave his smile already fading from his face.

My chest tightened.

I wasn't so sure about that. I was here on a mission. And I didn't know how things would end.

But I couldn't break him either.

"Yes," I said softly, crouching in front of him. Our eyes met his deep green ones searching mine. "And when I do, we'll play even more games."

His face brightened again at that. "Alright, Auntie."

"Now go back to Nanny Marcy," I said, ruffling his hair.

He nodded and ran to her side. She approached me moments later, her eyes warm.

"Thank you for today, Beverly. You're such a kind person. It's been so long since I saw Liam this happy."

My throat tightened. "Yes and I'm grateful I could be the reason for it."

Afterward I turned to leave.

But just as I reached the road about hailing down a cab, an ear-piercing suddenly scream tore through the air behind me.

I halted and spun around almost immediately only the be welcome by a scene that made my heart drop straight to my stomach.