Chapter 795 Do You Still Want Dignity?
Jasper walked with Adeline through the pouring rain all night long.
Thankfully, it was spring turning into summer, so the temperature wasn't too cold.
The sun finally rose.
Just as Adeline had said, a rainbow appeared in the sky.
Jasper closed the umbrella, glanced at the lifeless baby in Adeline's arms, and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Adeline, you've been holding her all night. It's time to lay her to rest."
Adeline's tears started flowing again at his words.
She sniffled and looked up to see a massive cherry blossom tree in front of her.
Was it a coincidence?
The first time she met Jasper was under a cherry blossom tree.
Back then, she was a student sketching with her drawing board.
Jasper, in his white shirt, standing under the cherry blossoms, had captivated her instantly.
And she had been captivated ever since.
Now, here was another cherry blossom tree.
In her arms was their final connection.
Adeline took a deep breath and gave a bitter smile. "Can we bury her under the tree?"
"Okay."
After a moment of silence, Jasper respected her decision.
Ryan brought over the tools.
Jasper dug the soil under the tree while Adeline sat on the ground holding the lifeless baby, watching him with a heart full of sorrow.
"Jasper."
She took a deep breath and finally couldn't hold back any longer.
Jasper responded, "What is it?"
"Do you hate me?"
"Hate you for what?"
She looked at him with teary eyes. "Hate me for not protecting our child."
His arm holding the shovel paused slightly.
"I only regret not protecting both of you."
His words made Adeline's nose tingle with more tears.
She turned her face away so he wouldn't see her eyes brimming with tears.
"You'll find a better woman someday."
He looked down and smiled. "I don't think so."
No one would be as stubbornly devoted to him as she had been for all these years.
Their conversation ended there.
When Oliver's car pulled up near the cherry blossom tree, Jasper and Adeline had already buried the baby.
Ryan thoughtfully marked the spot under the tree, saying they would come back to place a headstone later.
"Let's not," Adeline said, looking at the massive cherry blossom tree.
"A headstone would scare people. Let her quietly become part of the tree."
From now on, whenever the cherry blossoms bloomed, it would be her little girl smiling at her.
Ryan hesitated and glanced at Jasper.
Jasper nodded silently.
Once everything was settled, Oliver greeted Jasper and then helped Adeline back to the car.
No matter what happened, she was still a new mother who needed rest.
The black car turned around and disappeared from Jasper's sight.
When the car was just a dot in the distance, Jasper let out a bitter smile and got into his own car.
Ryan quickly followed to report.
"Mr. Foster, the final attack on the Torres family's supply chain has been negotiated."
"We can cut off their last hope at any time. When do you want to start?"
"No rush."
Jasper closed his eyes and leaned back in the car seat, a cold smile on his lips.
"Brandon's kid just got here. Let him have a few days of peace."
"In a month, he's throwing a wedding and a birthday bash for the baby, right?"
"Yeah, I plan to give him a big surprise."
From the cherry blossom tree to the small courtyard, Adeline didn't say a word.
Soon, the car arrived at the courtyard.
She got out and went to Zara's room first, holding Zara's hand and talking for a while, then went to the front hall for breakfast.
Finally, at the urging of the servants, she went to her room to sleep.
Oliver stayed with her the whole time, worried she might do something rash.
Only when Adeline was safely in bed did Oliver breathe a sigh of relief and turn to leave.
"Oliver." Just as he was about to open the door, Adeline's hoarse voice called out.
"Do you think... they'll forgive me?"
Oliver paused, hand on the doorknob.
"Who?"
"My mom, Jasper, and my dead child."
Adeline leaned against the headboard, staring at the wall as if looking far beyond it.
"If I hadn't insisted on going back to the Phoebe family to take care of my mom, none of this would have happened."
"Mom wouldn't have been hurt by Jasper."
"I wouldn't have been forced to swear an oath."
"Our child wouldn't have died."
Her pale face and words made Oliver's heart ache.
But he knew he couldn't tell her the truth about the child.
He feared Adeline would go after Daisy and Brandon.
He also feared that if Adeline brought the child back, the child would become a pawn against her.
Oliver took a deep breath and looked at Adeline seriously.
"I still believe Jasper didn't hurt your mom."
Adeline tilted her head and gave a bitter smile.
"I don't believe it either."
"But if it wasn't him... who else could it be?"
Her tears started again. "We have no evidence, no proof... If we had proof, I wouldn't doubt him, but..."
Knowing she was spiraling into self-doubt, Oliver interrupted her.
"We'll only know the truth when your mom wakes up."
"But it definitely wasn't Jasper."
"And Adeline."
"The curse from the oath doesn't have to come true."
"And you didn't swear it willingly. You took care of the child for over nine months."
"Everyone is sad about the child, but it's not your fault."
"No one has the right to not forgive you."
Oliver's words made Adeline pause.
"Really...?"
"Really."
Oliver sighed and tucked her in. "Rest and get better."
"When you're well, we'll investigate what happened to your mom, okay?"
Adeline closed her eyes and nodded silently.
After settling Adeline, Oliver closed the door and sighed deeply.
He was exhausted from the night.
Worried Adeline might run off again, Oliver lay down on the couch in the living room and fell asleep.
He didn't know how long he had been asleep when his phone rang.
Groggy, Oliver answered.
"Who is it?"
A woman's angry voice shouted from the other end.
"Oliver, how dare you ask who it is?"
"Explain this child to me!"
"Dennis said the child is yours?"
"When did you have a child? And you sent it to me to raise? Do you have any shame?"
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