Chapter 906
The sunset painted the sky with a brilliant and enchanting glow, while the evening breeze gently swayed the flower vines wrapped around the swing chair and Ophelia's dress.
She sat there, incredibly elegant and beautiful, every smile and frown so genuine.
Lillian could no longer distinguish between dream and reality. Her eyes welled up with tears as she murmured.
"Mom?"
Ophelia's eyes were also red, but her smile was even more loving and gentle.
"Lillian, it's Mom."
Lillian walked over uncontrollably and sat down on the swing chair, turning to look at Ophelia with tear-filled eyes.
She had no memories of Ophelia; she had been switched at birth. Yet, sitting beside Ophelia, she felt a deep, familial connection.
Her gaze was almost greedy.
Ophelia raised her hand to stroke her hair. "My good daughter, my precious. It's all Mom's fault. I didn't even know I had lost you, letting you suffer for so many years."
Lillian quickly shook her head with a smile. "It's not Mom's fault. Mom's body was exhausted from giving birth to me. I know Mom loves me the most in the world. Why did you only come into my dream now, to see me?"
Ophelia caressed Lillian's face, filled with love and guilt.
"Mom wanted to see you earlier, but I was afraid you would blame me, not forgive me. It was my poor judgment that brought trouble upon you. Now, the wrongdoers are about to face justice, and Mom is happy. It's time for me to let go and move on."
Lillian was startled and leaned forward to hug Ophelia tightly.
"Mom, where are you going? Will you never come to see me again?"
Ophelia hugged Lillian back, gently stroking her long hair.
"Lillian, you are a dutiful and caring child. With you taking care of Grandpa and Grandma, Mom has nothing to worry about. It's just hard on you. Fortunately, you have Jackson by your side. Mom wishes you both eternal happiness."
Lillian's eyes widened. "Mom knows him?"
"Of course, you already introduced him to me. My daughter has better judgment than I do."
Lillian blushed and lowered her head, then looked up again, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Ophelia.
Ophelia had approved of Jackson, and she was delighted.
But before she could smile, Ophelia's figure beside her began to fade.
Lillian grew anxious, calling out to her, but Ophelia just smiled at her.
Lillian's heart was overwhelmed with sorrow, and she tried to grasp Ophelia's hand.
Ophelia's body floated up, and a bright circle of light appeared not far away. She moved towards the light.
Lillian jumped off the swing chair in panic and chased after her.
"Mom, will you see Taylor where you're going? Can you take care of him for me? Can you tell him that Dad and Mom miss him very much?"
Ophelia's smile was gentle. "Lillian, I can't help you. You are Taylor's mom; you need to take care of him and watch him grow up. Mom believes you will be a great mother. Go on."
Lillian felt a strong push, and the blinding light circle disappeared. She suddenly woke up from the dream.
She sat up, clutching her wildly beating heart, the scenes from the dream replaying vividly in her mind.
Why did Ophelia say she couldn't help take care of Taylor and that Lillian had to do it herself?
Lillian's heart raced, her mind flashing with thoughts.
As her mind was in turmoil, the bedroom door suddenly burst open.
Lillian had drawn the blackout curtains before sleeping, and the room was still dark.
The door opened abruptly, and the light from outside dispelled the darkness. Lillian realized it was already daylight.
A tall figure stood at the door, the light casting shadows on his face and expression, but Lillian instantly recognized Jackson.
She was a bit surprised. "Jackson? Why are you..."
Jackson moved like a gust of wind. In the blink of an eye, he was at the bedside.
Before Lillian could react, he reached out and hugged her tightly.
Jackson's body carried the chill of the night, a sense of having rushed over.
His emotions were clearly intense, holding her tighter and tighter. Lillian could even feel his rapid, erratic heartbeat.
Lillian was extremely surprised and instinctively hugged him back, asking.
"What's wrong? What happened?"
Lillian's voice was gentle, with a hint of anxiety.
She rarely saw Jackson like this. The last time he was this emotional and held her like this was when Taylor died.
Thinking of Taylor, Lillian remembered the dream she just had. She quickly pushed Jackson and said.
"Jackson, I just had a dream. I dreamed of my mom for the first time. Mom said some strange things. You know, I asked Mom to help take care of Taylor, and she said I had to do it myself. Why would Mom say that? Could it be... could it be..."
Lillian's heart was filled with hope and some guesses, but she was too afraid it was just her imagination, too afraid it was all just wishful thinking. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
She stared at Jackson, her eyes bright with tears.
Jackson understood her feelings. He had felt the same way last night, hopeful yet fearful.
He released Lillian, gently cupping her face with his large hand, his voice hoarse.
"Your mother was right."
Lillian listened, feeling she understood every word Jackson said, but couldn't comprehend them together.
Maybe she was afraid to.
Her lips trembled. "But I think my mom meant that Taylor is still alive, that Taylor will come back to me."
Jackson looked at her dazed expression, her eyes filled with a mix of brokenness and joy.
Jackson's gaze was tender and gentle. He spoke again, affirming in a low voice.
"Lillian, our Taylor is alive! You didn't hear wrong!"
Lillian was completely stunned, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Her lips moved, and after a while, she murmured.
"Is this a dream within a dream? Am I still not awake?"
She didn't want to wake up from this dream.
Lillian murmured and immediately tried to lie back down to continue sleeping.
Jackson grabbed her arm, gently pulling her forward. Lillian stumbled.
Jackson's large hand held the back of her neck, and the next second, his burning kiss fell on her.
Lillian felt his passionate kiss, and almost instantly, her lips were slightly swollen and tingling.
Lillian's heart surged, and she instinctively bit Jackson.
Jackson winced but slightly curled his lips, releasing Lillian and saying, "Ouch, baby. I promise this isn't a dream."
Lillian's tears flowed freely, but she felt a real sense of joy flooding her heart.
She clung tightly to Jackson's arm. "What is going on? Where is Taylor now? Jackson, let's go find him!"
Jackson gently stroked Lillian's cheek, trying to wipe away her tears.
But his palm was wet, and Lillian's tears seemed endless, like a dam had burst.
Jackson knew she was crying tears of joy. He had felt the same way when he left the police station and was in the car.
The driver had seen him laughing but hadn't noticed the grateful tears falling from his eyes.
Jackson didn't stop her. Instead, he leaned over and grabbed the remote from the nightstand, slowly opening the curtains.
Golden light flooded in, and Jackson raised his hand to shield Lillian's forehead, speaking softly.
"Don't rush. Calm down, and I'll tell you everything."
Lillian's eyes were already swollen from crying, and the light made them sting.
But she didn't feel uncomfortable at all. Instead, she opened her eyes to look at Jackson.
The pain made her feel more aware, and the sunlight made her feel incredibly happy, as if the darkest corners of her heart were being illuminated.
Jackson ruffled Lillian's hair, then went to the bathroom to get a warm towel. He lifted her small face with his thumb and carefully wiped it clean before handing her the paternity test report Harry had sent him.
Lillian looked at the results on his phone, her fingers trembling.
"I personally buried that child. I pulled out his hair before sending him to the crematorium. That dead baby wasn't Taylor. Ruby bribed the doctor to switch Taylor with a dead baby she had prepared."
Lillian's heart surged with hatred, and she gritted her teeth.
"Ruby deserves to die!"
Ophelia, Oberon, and Flora had all treated her well.
Instead of repaying their kindness, she had done nothing but evil.
Ruby had lost her own child. She knew the heart-wrenching pain, yet she made Ophelia and Lillian experience the agony of being separated from their children.
"Where did she hide Taylor? I need to ask her. I need to find her."
Lillian dropped the phone and tried to jump off the bed.
Jackson lifted her and sat her on his lap before speaking.
"She won't talk. No matter how I pressured her last night, she remained silent."
Lillian's heart burned with even more hatred, but she forced herself to calm down, shaking her head in self-mockery.
"Of course, Taylor is her last lifeline. She wouldn't suddenly have a change of heart and tell us."
Thinking of Taylor in Ruby's hands made Lillian anxious, her heart feeling like it was on fire.
"You said it yourself, she needs Taylor to save her. So, our Taylor is safe for now. I've already sent Harry back to Miracalia. We'll find Taylor, even if we have to search every inch of Miracalia."
"But would Ruby really hide Taylor in Miracalia?"
Ruby might have hidden Taylor in another city or even abroad.
Thinking of the vast world and not knowing where Taylor was made Lillian restless.
Jackson held her tightly, his large hand soothingly patting her shoulder.
"Don't be afraid. Now that we know Taylor is alive, we will find him. It's just a matter of time. Taylor is waiting for us to bring him home. We can't lose our composure."
Jackson's deep, magnetic voice was filled with strength. Lillian nodded, looking at his confident, deep eyes, and smiled.
"I believe you."
Jackson ruffled her hair again and said, "Shall we go find Grandpa now?"
Ruby might have trusted people or hidden forces. Even though Jackson had investigated Ruby, Oberon, and Ambrose would know more.
Seaspring Valley City needed Oberon and his team to plan the search.
Lillian was about to nod when she heard Oberon's authoritative voice from the doorway.
"Jackson, is what you said true? My grandson was hidden by Ruby?"
Lillian turned in surprise to see Oberon standing by the doorframe. She didn't know when he had arrived.
Clearly, Jackson's early rush had alerted Oberon.
Lillian quickly jumped off Jackson's lap and ran barefoot to Oberon.
"Grandpa, you had a fever last night. Why are you up?"
She tried to help Oberon into the room, but he gripped her hand tightly.
Lillian nodded to Oberon. "Grandpa, Taylor is indeed alive. Ruby used him as a bargaining chip to escape punishment. Jackson just got the paternity test. The dead child wasn't Taylor."
Oberon swayed slightly, and Lillian panicked, almost unable to steady him.
"Grandpa!"
Jackson steadied Oberon from the other side and helped him to the sofa.
Lillian rubbed Oberon's chest, worried.
"I'll get the medicine."
She turned to leave, but Oberon opened his eyes and grabbed her.
"Lillian, Grandpa is fine. This is good news, great news! It's wonderful! Grandpa is just ashamed and angry. I never imagined Ruby would do something so despicable!"
Twenty years ago, she switched Lillian. Twenty years later, she did something even worse, replacing his healthy grandson with a dead baby, causing everyone immense pain.
Ruby deserved to die a thousand times over to quell Oberon's fury.
"You don't need to blame yourself. If you and Grandma hadn't arrived in time to save Lillian and Taylor, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Now, the most important thing is to find Taylor quickly."
Jackson spoke solemnly, handing Oberon a glass of water.
Oberon looked at Jackson and suddenly said.
"Why didn't you call anyone? Not even a name?"
Lillian was stunned, not understanding. Jackson's lips curved slightly, and he said.
"Grandpa, do you have any suspects or targets?"
He didn't call Oberon "Mr." anymore, following Lillian's lead and calling him "Grandpa."
Lillian blinked and looked at Oberon.
Oberon nodded and reached out, taking the glass of water from Jackson and sipping it.
Lillian was surprised and delighted. "Grandpa, have you accepted him?"
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