She Outshines Them All

She Outshines 347



"Mommy... I want Mommy..." In the car, Josie clung tightly to Maria,

like a small kitten abandoned by its owner. She was trembling uncontrollably as she sobbed so hard it seemed like she could barely catch her breath. "Don't be scared, Josie. We'll see Mommy soon," Maria said softly as she stroked Josie's

head, trying to comfort her. "Mommy will always be by your side, and so will Daddy, your brothers, your grandparents, Athena, and me. We'll always be Josie seemed unable to hear anything Maria said. She just kept crying and calling out for her mother.

Athena sighed quietly and sent a message to her mother, briefly explaining what had happened, and letting her know that they were on their way to D Claire replied immediately: [I'll be waiting for Josie at the corner]

It was rush hour, and although Athena took the best route and drove as fast as she could, it still took over twenty minutes to reach Donovan's Restaura Claire was already there with Arthur, anxiously waiting.

As soon as Athena parked the car, Claire rushed to open the door and reached for Josie. “Josie, I'm here. Don't be afraid.”

"Mommy?" At the sound of her mother's voice, Josie finally lifted her tear-streaked face from Maria's arms and stretched out her hands to Claire. Seeing her swollen eyes and hoarse voice, everyone around felt a pang of heartache.

Claire held Josie in her arms, tears streaming down her face. “Don't be afraid, Josie. I will always love you and protect you. Don't be afraid.” "Mommy..." Josie clung to Claire, burying her head in Claire's shoulder, her voice so hoarse she could barely speak. "You're

real mother. I don't want anyone else to be my mother.

"Mommy, please don't abandon me. I will be good. Please don't leave me..."

Athena and the others exchanged looks, their faces filled with both pain and silence.

Even though Josie had no memories of her life before being adopted, the experience of being abandoned by her biological mother undoubtedly cause mental breakdown.

"You're my precious little girl. Without you, I can't go on living," Claire said gently, stroking Josie's head, her cheek resting against Josie's ear. "I will alw "Really?" Josie sniffled, looking up at her mother with swollen eyes.

Claire kissed her on the cheek. "I promise. I'll never lie to you."

Josie's eyes were so swollen she could barely open them, but she still tried to look at her mother. "Mommy, don't give me to anyone else."

“I won't,” Claire said firmly, her gaze resolute. “You're my precious little girl. I'll never hand you over to anyone else, and no one will take you away from Josie seemed to relax a little, her body softening. "I want to stay with you forever."

Athena handed Claire a water bottle, motioning for her to get Josie to drink it.

If Josie kept crying, her voice would soon give out.

Maria and Athena had tried to get Josie to drink some water in the touch, she'd scream in terror. There was nothing they could do.

Josie clung tightly to Maria, and at the slightest

“Josie, be a good girl. Let me give you some water, Okay?" Claire gently pressed the bottle to Josie's lips, softly humming a lullaby she used to sing to her. "Twinkle, twinkle little star..." to

Josie obediently opened her mouth and took small sips of water

After finishing the bottle, she let out a tiny yawn and, leaning her head on Claire's shoulder, fell asleep.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"I added some throat-soothing medicine and a mild sedative to the water," Athena said. "It should help her sleep for five or six hours."

"I'll carry her,” Arthur said, reaching out to take Josie from Claire.

But Josie instinctively tightened her grip around Claire's neck, her little face scrunching up

as if rejecting the idea of being taken away from Claire's embrace.

"It's alright I'll carry her," Claire said, looking at the sky. "Josie's emotion is unstable. I can't feel at ease, d'll

head home now to take care of her." to

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Given Josie's condition, Claire was the only one who could keep her calm.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Paityn, devastated, was being led back by Saanvi and the driver.

"You're useless," Saanvi scolded her.

"Your

you, a child was right in front of

you couldn't even take her.

No wonder your daughter doesn't want to recognize you." to

Paityn remained silent, her face ashen, her eyes tightly shut.

In her mind, Paityn replayed Alina's terrified look and piercing scream upon learning that Paityn was her mother, as if Paityn were some monster that v Alina had even thrown away her Hello Kitty as if severing all ties with Paityn.

"Alina didn't want me," Paityn thought.