Chapter 1362 Decision
Hearing this, Azalea smiled and said, "I hope so. Cecilia, even though you and Daryl are divorced, I can tell he still cares about you. I know my son; he's a sensitive guy. He's just having a hard time moving on. I still hope you two can work things out. After all, you have Thaddeus. For his sake and the love you once had, don't give up on each other."
Cecilia frowned slightly. "Daryl and I are done. There's no going back. I just want Thaddeus to have a good relationship with both of us. Daryl and I need to move forward."
Seeing her words weren't getting through, Azalea frowned and said, "I know you both need time. Let's see what happens. Maybe after a while, you'll realize there's still something there."
Cecilia didn't argue, but she knew her relationship with Daryl was over.
"I actually came to tell you about a decision I've made," Cecilia suddenly changed the subject.
Azalea was taken aback. "Is it about Thaddeus?"
Seeing Azalea's nervousness, Cecilia nodded. "Yes."
Azalea grew even more anxious. "Are you planning to take Thaddeus away?"
Before Cecilia could respond, Azalea continued, "I understand. Even if you want to take Thaddeus, I get it. You went through so much to bring him into this world, and now Daryl refuses to accept Thaddeus as his own. I was selfish before, wanting to keep Thaddeus with me. My health isn't great now. If you want to take Thaddeus, go ahead. Just promise to bring him back to visit me often."
Tears started to flow from Azalea's eyes.
Seeing Azalea quickly wipe away her tears and try to control her emotions, Cecilia felt a pang of sadness.
She hadn't expected Azalea to agree so readily to let her take Thaddeus. Azalea's understanding touched her deeply.
It was a tempting offer, but Cecilia knew what she had to do. She couldn't let her own desires separate Thaddeus from the Fields family and the people who loved him, even though it pained her.
"I don't intend to take Thaddeus away," Cecilia said.
Azalea's eyes widened. "You're not taking Thaddeus?" she asked, a smile slowly spreading across her face.
"I want Thaddeus to continue living here," Cecilia said. "He needs a family, a loving grandmother, and relatives. As much as it hurts to be apart from him, I can't be selfish and deprive him of the love he deserves."
Azalea frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Given my current situation, it's not suitable for me to stay here. I have my own life to live. Thaddeus is a year old now and no longer nursing. I want to go back to running my café. I'll leave Thaddeus here with Freya, who he's used to. With Freya around, he'll adjust better," Cecilia said with a bittersweet smile.
Azalea was shocked, not expecting Cecilia to make such a decision.
After a long pause, Azalea said, "I never thought you'd decide this. You could run your café in Maple Valley. I have many properties there. I can give you one to start your business. You could stay in Maple Valley and still take care of Thaddeus. This is your home too. As Thaddeus's mother, you can live here forever."
Cecilia gratefully replied, "Thank you, but I can't stay with the Fields family. I can't take advantage of being Thaddeus's mother to enjoy privileges I don't deserve. Leaving Thaddeus here doesn't mean I'll abandon him. When he's older, I hope he can live with me. Daryl doesn't acknowledge him now, but when Thaddeus starts school, I want to be there for him. I hope you'll understand."
Cecilia wished for Thaddeus to remain with the Fields family, surrounded by their love, yet she refused to abandon him, for Thaddeus was, after all, her son.
"I understand," Azalea nodded.
Cecilia smiled. "I'll visit Maple Valley every month to see Thaddeus. Please let him stay with me for a few days each time."
How could she bear to be apart from Thaddeus? Cecilia planned to spend three to five days with him each month.
"Of course. You're leaving Thaddeus with us for two years out of kindness. I should be thanking you," Azalea said.
"I'm doing it for Thaddeus," Cecilia smiled.
That night, Cecilia lay beside Thaddeus, unable to sleep.
It was easy to say, but hard to do. Thinking about leaving Thaddeus made her nose sting. She hugged the sleeping Thaddeus tightly.
The next morning, as Cecilia stepped out of her room, Elijah approached.
"Cecilia?"
Cecilia smiled. "What's up?"
To avoid suspicion, they rarely spoke or spent time alone together, despite living under the same roof.
"Mom said you're leaving?" Elijah frowned.
Cecilia nodded. "Yes."
"Do you have to go? Can you really leave Thaddeus here?" Elijah asked urgently.
Cecilia's heart tightened. How could a mother bear to leave her child?
She smiled. "This is Thaddeus's home, with so many people who love him. Why wouldn't I? I'll visit every month. His grandmother agreed that when he starts school, he'll live with me."
Seeing Cecilia's resolve, Elijah asked, "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow," Cecilia replied.
"So soon?" Elijah frowned.
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