Chapter 1 Separation

At the Maria Orphanage located in H City...

Two kids-a little boy and a little girl-were happily playing with each other.

"Michelle, come over here."

"Grandpa Mike, were you calling me?" She had this innocent look on her face, just like most children had.

"This is Mr. Howard. He'll be taking care of you from now on. He already signed the adoption papers. You'll be a good girl and listen to your new father, okay?"

"What about Kevin? Will he be going with me?" Michelle looked at the dean with bulging eyes.

"Sad to say that Kevin won't go with you. But he'll have his own home, just like you," Mike said with a sad look on his face.

He knew that this world was far from perfect, and not every child had a chance to be adopted. He only said that Kevin would also get adopted so that Michelle wouldn't feel disappointed.

"Okay," Michelle mumbled. "But can I say goodbye to Kevin? And the other children?"

"Okay. Just hurry up," Mike said to her.

"Okay, Grandpa Mike," Michelle said, with a meek smile on her face.

"Go on," he said as he gave Michelle a pat on the head.

Michelle headed towards Kevin and said, "Kevin, I won't be able to play with you anymore. I'm going to live with my new father." Kevin couldn't help but feel a little down. "I'm sorry," Michelle said with an apologetic frown on her face. Both Michelle and Kevin got teary-eyed. They felt sad that they were going to be apart.

"Don't be sad, Michelle. You should be happy that you're having a new family. Many children in this orphanage want a family so badly, but no one wants to adopt them. You should feel lucky."

"But, Kevin, Grandpa Mike said that you couldn't go with me," Michelle sobbed. "I don't want to leave you," she added, her voice almost breaking.

Streams of tears slowly ran down her cheeks.

"Michelle, you just need to remember that no matter where you are, you have to live happily. Don't worry. When I grow up, I will find you. By then, I'll be able to protect you and take care of you. Just promise me that you'll take good care of yourself now so that I can find you in the future," Kevin comforted. His voice sounded weak and sincere.

"Is that a promise, Kevin? You'll find me? And you won't forget about me?" Michelle asked. Her tears were gradually subsiding.

"How can I forget you, Michelle? Here, take this," Kevin said, handing Michelle a beautiful necklace. "Grandpa Mike told me that this necklace was in my bag when he found me at the orphanage's gate. It's probably my mother's. Take this, to remember me by. And wait for me to find you."

"Isn't this very important to you? I can't take this," Michelle said.

"That's the point. That way, I can find you in future. I'll always remember that you have my mother's necklace. Take it, please," Kevin lovingly said.

"Okay," Michelle said, still slightly sobbing.

Then she wore the necklace. The pendant was a hexagram with an ancient dragon pattern engraved on it.

Michelle said her goodbyes to all of the children in the orphanage. They all had gifts to give exchange with her.

All of them were teary that Michelle had to go away.

After that, Michelle headed towards Mike's office. Her eyes were still red and her hands were full as she held all the gifts the other children had given her.

"I have already said goodbye to the other children." She was looking down, trying to hide the sadness on her face.

"Off you go with Mr. Howard. Remember to be an obedient child, okay?" Mike reminded. He was trying so hard to fight back the tears in his eyes.

"I will, Grandpa Mike. Goodbye," Michelle said as she waved her hand.

Seeing the sight of Michelle holding her new father's hand, Mike felt both happy and sad. He wouldn't hear Michelle's sweet voice anymore. But he was really happy for Michelle, especially since Howard Shangguan was from a rich family. Michelle would live a happy and comfortable life.

Meanwhile, Kevin was hiding behind a big tree, watching Michelle walk away from the orphanage. He swore to himself that he would find Michelle and never give up on her.

In the Grand Villa District, the most prominent district in A City... Michelle found herself facing a beautiful garden house. While she looked at its magnificence, she felt really uneasy.

"Everything's going to be okay, Michelle. Don't be nervous. This will be your home from now on. All of us are going to love you," Howard Shangguan said. "Let's go. I want you to meet your mother and your brother," he continued.

"Okay, Dad," Michelle obediently replied.

In the magnificent hall, a beautiful woman was sitting on the European style sofa. She was next to a boy about seven or eight years old. The boy immediately stood up and greeted Howard Shangguan.

"This must be Michelle," the woman said. "She's so beautiful."

"Michelle, meet my wife, Jessica Fang. She's your new mother. Next to her is my son, Patrick," Howard Shuangguan said to Michelle. "We'll be a really happy family," he added, smiling from ear to ear.

"Hmph," Patrick Shangguan stubbornly exclaimed. "Who's her real family?" he snobbishly added.

Bang! The loud slap had startled Michelle. She raised her head and saw that the slap came from Howard. He had slapped Patrick really hard on his face. Everyone looked stunned.

"Dad, why did you hit me? I'm your son," Patrick said, covering his face. "I hate you! And I hate her, too!" he shouted as he ran away.

"I'm sorry. I made him really unhappy. He doesn't like me. I'd better go back to the orphanage," Michelle said.

Jessica Fang grazed her fingers on Michelle's hair and said, "Don't be silly, Michelle. He just can't accept that he suddenly has a sister. This is your home. You're very welcome here."

"But my brother doesn't like me," Michelle innocently said. She was starting to get sad again.

"It just takes him a little warming up. Just be sweet to him, and I'm sure that he'll like you," Jessica Fang reassured Michelle.

"I really hope that my brother will like me," Michelle said, looking at Jessica with her sweet eyes.

"Come on. I'll show you your room. I'm sure you'll like it."

"Okay," Michelle said. She was feeling both excited and awkward.

As Howard looked at Michelle, he swore to himself, 'Monica, I will take good care of Michelle. No worries...'

It was a pink room. In it was a lovely toy bear. The wardrobe was full of cute dresses.

"It's so beautiful, Mommy," Michelle marveled. She was really stunned at how beautiful her room was.

"I'm so glad you like it. Your father worked really hard to prepare for this room. He was so sure that you'll like it," Jessica said. She looked at Michelle, buried in thought.

What a magic when two were related by blood. Michelle looked so similar to that woman.

"Brother, here's a gift from me to you. A sweet, sweet candy."

"Brother, here's my favorite toy. Would you like to play with me?"

"Brother, I'll be going to school. Would you like to walk with me?"

"Dad, Patrick still doesn't like me," Michelle said with a sad tone in her voice.

"Oh, Michelle, it's not that he doesn't like you. Haven't you realized that you have more candies and more toys? He even goes to school with you. All those toys and candies are from your brother. He's just too embarrassed to tell you. Lovely Michelle... How could anyone not like you?" Howard lovingly said to Michelle. He looked at Michelle with so much affection.

Meanwhile, he remembered another person as he looked at Michelle's eyes.

From a distance, Jessica was looking at Howard. Her sharp nails dug deep into her palms as she stared at him.

"Howard, when will you see me?" Jessica said painfully.