Chapter 280: She Is My Biological Mother
Last time, when she found out about my past, we had a blowout.
So, when Madison called and brought it up herself, I was kinda shocked. After a quick pause, I just went for it, "It's a necklace with a rabbit design."
On the other end, Madison sounded kinda hyped. "A rabbit design?"
"Yeah."
I nodded and explained, "I've had that necklace since I was a kid. Two years ago, I had an accident, and it got lost."
Curious, I asked, "Ms. Ortiz, why are you asking about this all of a sudden?"
"I..."
Madison seemed to be calming herself, getting her thoughts together, and then asked, "I also wanted to ask if you have time right now. There's something I wanna talk to you about in person."
"Okay." I thought for a sec and agreed. I had a feeling whatever Madison wanted to talk about was a big deal for me.
Madison tentatively asked, "Where do you live? Is it cool if I come over?"
"Huh?" I was caught off guard again and quickly said, "It's cool. I live in Tranquil Haven Estates, but the privacy here isn't as good as Serenity Manor. How about I come to you instead?"
I had heard from Elissa that celebs, especially big names like Madison, had crazy fans. Their private schedules ought to be super secretive. Otherwise, if the crazies found out, things could get wild.
Madison chuckled, "Don't worry about me. I'm heading out now. See you soon!"
I said, "I'll text you the house number."
While waiting for Madison, I tidied up the already spotless house that Ellen had cleaned.
Nolan, who lived downstairs, would come up to play every day. Even though he was well-behaved, he was still a kid and would make a mess when he got excited.
Just as I was putting a picture book back on the shelf, the doorbell rang.
I quickly walked over to open the door and saw the elegant Madison standing outside. I smiled. "Ms. Ortiz!"
"Hope!"
Madison's voice trembled a bit as she raised two full paper bags. "I brought you some cookies and cakes since you liked them last time."
I chuckled, "I can't finish all this by myself, but my boyfriend's cousin will be stoked."
Nolan loved sweets.
As we talked, Madison walked in and paused. "You have a boyfriend? How's he treating you?"
"He's amazing!" Thinking of Jerry, I couldn't help but smile. "No one has ever treated me this well."
When I was young, my adoptive parents treated me well, and I was still grateful for that. But compared to Jerry, it felt different.
My adoptive parents took me in out of kindness and because they had lost their daughter and wanted someone to fill in for her. I was lucky to be that person and had a happy childhood.
Jerry's kindness towards me was unconditional. He looked for me so persistently, stood by me, shielded me, honored me, and genuinely cared for me, embracing all that I was.
In front of him, whether I was Hope or Bella, I could be myself completely.
Upon hearing this, Madison was speechless for a moment, took off her sunglasses, and her eyes glistened with tears. The hint of bitterness in her smile was evident as she remarked, "Ultimately, it was your birth parents who let you down, causing you so much pain."
I was at a loss. "Ms. Ortiz, what's wrong?"
Madison choked up, took a jewelry box from her bag, and opened it to show me the contents. "Hope. Is this the necklace you lost?"
Seeing the necklace, I was pleasantly shocked. "Where did you find this? I never thought I'd see it again."
Madison suddenly hugged me tightly. I was stunned, and an idea flashed through my mind, but I couldn't believe it. My eyes welled up, "Ms. Ortiz..."
"Hope, if I told you that I am your mother, would you..."
Madison, always the center of attention on screen, was now sobbing uncontrollably. After a long time, she gently released me, her eyes red. "Would you let me make up for all the things I missed in your life?"
This statement was like a bomb going off in my mind.
I looked at the necklace on the table, then at Madison. My fingers trembled, and my mind was filled with questions.
I was stunned. "Ms. Ortiz, are you joking with me?"
"Of course not." Madison took a tissue, her eyes full of tenderness, and gently wiped away the tears that had escaped my eyes. "Hope, I'm certain you're my daughter. It all makes sense now why I felt an immediate fondness the moment I laid eyes on you."
I clenched my fists, and the tears just kept coming.
Before, seeing how much Madison adored Sarah, I was green with envy, dreaming that one day I'd find my real mom. She'd probably love me just like Madison loved Sarah. Now, finding out Madison was my real mom? It felt like fate was playing a cruel joke, giving me a fancy background but a ton of heartache.
No wonder I loved hanging out with Madison and got so much inspiration designing dresses for her. It was that mother-daughter bond.
My thoughts started to clear up, and I asked, still in shock, "I lost my necklace two years ago, and you announced you had a daughter last year. Could it be that Sarah had this necklace..."
"Something like that." Madison looked at me with concern, tucking my tear-streaked hair behind my ear. "But there's one thing that's always been fishy. After she showed up, I did a paternity test, and not just one."
I asked, "The paternity test was fine?"
Madison shook her head. "No issues."
I was lost in thought. "This..."
This situation felt oddly familiar.
I sniffled and shared my thoughts. "When she was set up by the Harris family to impersonate me two years ago, the initial paternity test also showed no issues."
I added, "Later, it was Jerry, my boyfriend, who dug deeper and found the problem."
Madison's eyes narrowed, a sharp glint passing through them. "Looks like she's just as ruthless as before!"
I was puzzled. "Who?"
"Skylar." Madison wiped away her tears, feeling guilty. "Back then, we were pregnant around the same time, but she had a premature birth, so we gave birth on the same day. At that time, I was alone and just wanted to leave the Ortiz family and the Harris family as soon as possible with you."
Madison sighed, "Who knew her child would die, and to marry into the Harris family smoothly, she bribed a nurse to switch my child with hers."
Thinking of Skylar's affectionate facade when I was young, I felt a chill. "And you..."
Madison continued, "In the middle of the night, the nurse suddenly held my child, shouting, and then the child was taken for emergency care. When the child was handed back to me, the necklace was gone too."
Madison took a deep breath. "It's my fault for trusting people too easily. I asked the nurse, and she said it was lost in the chaos. I actually believed her."
I had some questions answered, but there was still one burning question left. "So, what's the deal with you and Skylar?"
I could feel that Skylar hated me deeply. If she could kill me, she probably wouldn't hesitate.
"She's my cousin. Originally, I was supposed to marry into the Harris family."
Madison gave a bitter smile, but there was a hint of relief in her eyes. "But Larry cheated before the wedding and got together with her. She threw the pregnancy test results in my face and told me to leave."
"And you..." I suddenly smiled, "You must have agreed readily."
That would fit her character.
"Yes." Madison exhaled, "But I couldn't swallow my anger. I wanted to make it public, but the Ortiz family wouldn't allow it. They insisted on protecting Skylar."
"So..." I understood everything. "Even though you're from the Ortiz family in Maple Valley, no one could ever trace your background."
Naturally, she had a falling out with them. It was tough when her own family sided with the mistress who destroyed her relationship. It was enough to break anyone's heart.
Madison held my hand, about to say something when there was a sudden knock on the door, followed by a soft voice. "Hope! I'm coming in!"
With that, the fingerprint lock clicked open.
The door opened, and Nolan ran in happily on his short legs. He blinked his big eyes and looked at Madison, saying sweetly, "You are so pretty!"
Madison seemed to know who he was but didn't show any displeasure toward Nolan despite her feelings about the Ortiz family. She asked gently, "You must be Nolan?"
"Yes!" Nolan nodded just as Sophia walked in, changing her shoes at the door. "Hope, let me tell you, don't underestimate Nolan's short stature. He's surprisingly quick on his feet..."
Sophia stopped mid-sentence when she saw Madison in the living room. She walked closer, her eyes widening in shock. "Are you Madison?"
Madison looked her over. "Yes, I am."
"I, I..." Sophia, rarely at a loss for words, awkwardly grabbed Nolan. "Nolan, say hello. She's your aunt."
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