Chapter 391 Burdens
Jackson said, "I understand. Everyone hoped that the severed finger wasn't Star's at that time. However, the DNA comparison confirmed it was indeed Star's. That beast cruelly chopped off Star's finger and left it at the scene! I always think that if I hadn't run away that day, maybe none of this would have happened."
Hearing Jackson's remorseful words, Lillian felt distressed.
She clenched Jackson's shirt, looked at him firmly, and shook her head, saying, "It's not like that! If you hadn't escaped, it would just mean one more person suffering. How couldn't you know that bad people do bad things without any reason?"
Lillian couldn't help but lean closer into Jackson's arms, rubbing her face against his chest as she continued, "I'm a selfish person. I just want you to protect yourself at all times! Besides, it's right for people to protect themselves. What's wrong with that? I also believe that if Star had a better chance to escape that day, you would have undoubtedly given her that chance, right?"
Lillian sniffled and hugged Jackson's waist tightly, saying, "You just can't think that way! If you hadn't escaped back then, I wouldn't have met you! No way!"
Listening to Lillian's naive words, Jackson was deeply moved.
When he was found and brought back, the Price family had their feelings. Even if they didn't verbally express their resentment towards Jackson, it still existed in their hearts.
Even Martin felt guilty toward the Price family, probably thinking that Jackson shouldn't have left Star behind as a boy.
As for Daisy, she loved Star like her daughter and wished it was Star who had come back instead of Jackson.
Even Lyra, standing in such a position, couldn't say such selfish words.
For many years, it was the first time someone told Jackson that he wasn't at fault at all. It was right for him to protect himself.
"Okay, I understand," Jackson said softly, lowering his head to gently nuzzle Lillian's soft hair with his chin.
Lillian's eyes welled up with tears. Although she said those words, when she thought about the situation back then, she felt complicated.
The desperate kidnapper couldn't provide timely medical treatment for Star, a girl who had her thumb cut off.
Since they hadn't found Star after all these years, it was likely she had met a grim fate.
Having gone through such a painful experience, it was no wonder Susan had cried her eyes out.
Jackson continued, "Four months ago, I found Adara. She was missing her right thumb and had lost her memory. Even her appearance and age were similar to Star's. She was the closest person to Star I had found in all these years. I was so happy and hopeful that she was Star, so I couldn't wait to call Henry. Henry drove through the night, but the fatigue caused an accident. He was taken to the hospital, barely holding on until the kinship test results came back. Unfortunately, I had found the wrong person and caused the Price family to lose another life. Henry couldn't find Star. He said he didn't want Susan to leave with such regret and begged me to bring Adara back. If Susan couldn't hold on, I was to tell her that Star had been found, even if it was a lie. You know the rest."
These were the heaviest burdens in Jackson's heart, and he never wanted to tell anyone about them.
The deepest secrets and wounds in his heart would hurt every time they were revealed.
He didn't want to tell Lillian either, as it would only make her share the burden.
It wasn't something she should bear.
Susan couldn't hold on much longer. He had planned for Adara to leave after Susan passed, so there was no need to tell Lillian.
However, he didn't expect Lillian to discover Adara on her own and develop so many thoughts.
"Do you still blame me now?" Jackson looked down at Lillian and asked softly.
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