Seeing more and more people gathered around, I suddenly stood up, grabbed her fancy scarf, and snapped, "I'm not a competent mother? I give you 5,000 dollars a month to take care of Ashton, but why don't you tell everyone how you take care of your grandson? You ended up in an old man's arms!
"Ashton has been sick three times this month, and I have been the only one taking care of him each time. Where were you and his 'competent' father?"
Seeing that she couldn't break free, Lamia began to cry at the top of her lungs, complaining how miserable her life was.
I snatched her phone, opened WhatsApp, and exclaimed, "You have a miserable life? You are admired by so many old men, yet you dare to say that?
"Lamia, I have to say that you are still as charming as ever. There are at least five men in this chat list. You caused the death of your husband back then, and now you lost your grandson.
"It is a great misfortune for the Bates family to have a woman like you."
The onlookers burst into laughter. Seeing that the situation was against her, Lamia grabbed the phone and ran out.
After the crowd gradually dispersed, I sat in my seat with mixed feelings.
A female police officer saw that I was in low spirits and came over to comfort me. "It's okay. There is surveillance, and we will definitely find your son."
I forced a smile and nodded vigorously.
Actually, I was not worried about Ashton.
The tragic experience of my previous life was still surfacing before my eyes. I just didn't understand what I had done wrong.
Before I could come to my senses, a voice crying out "Mom" suddenly echoed through the hall.
I raised my gaze and was met with the sight of a tearful and distressed six-year-old Ashton standing at the entrance of the police department. The grievance in his eyes was in stark contrast to the resentful expression he once wore as he tugged at my clothes and uttered hurtful words in my previous life.
Even though I was extremely disappointed in him, I couldn't help but feel sad.
After all, it was my child, the child I had given birth to.
I sighed heavily and pulled him into my arms.
If he were given another chance, perhaps he wouldn't make the same mistake.
It was nearly 11 o'clock when we got home. On the way, I was comforting Ashton, who was still sobbing while my phone kept ringing, but I turned it off.