The Shape of Absence

They rushed in, flustered, calling for a doctor while a group of people gathered around Adrian and helped him up from the side of the bed.

The doctor arrived quickly. After an examination, he looked up.

"This is good news. Mr. Blake's brain clot is clearing quickly. His memory should return soon."

Mrs. Blake forced a slight smile.

Mr. Blake frowned and said nothing. He sighed again and again, then finally waved his hand after a long while. "Take him away first and let him rest properly. Have the nurses take good care of him."

After Adrian was helped out of the room and the door closed, three pairs of eyes turned toward me at the same time.

Mr. Blake spoke, his tone tired. "Ms. Parker, we originally did not want to hurt you. But now there really is no other way."

"Who told you to let Adrian find you again?"

He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

Less than twenty minutes later, orderly footsteps sounded outside.

The door opened. Several uniformed officers stood at the entrance with serious expressions.

"Lily Parker, correct? We received a report that you broke into a private residence and stole commercial secrets involving a large sum of money. Please come with us."

I froze, then snapped my gaze to Mr. Blake, shaking my head again and again.

"No. I did not."

Mrs. Blake stood to the side and took a document from her pocket, handing it to the officer in front. "This is our report receipt and the evidence list. Thank you for your trouble."

Vanessa stepped forward then. She reached out and traced my face, jealousy flashing in her eyes.

"Mr. and Mrs. Blake, would it not be better to handle it cleanly?

"Slash her face, then send her to prison.

"Even if Adrian remembers her, once he sees this ugly face, he will only feel disgusted."

Mrs. Blake was silent for a moment before slowly nodding. "Vanessa is thinking further ahead."

I was tightly cuffed to the bed, my wrists and ankles locked in metal. I could not move at all.

"No. Please..."

Vanessa had already come forward with a small knife. She patted my face with the back of the blade.

"Do not worry. I will be quick.

"He has refused to get married all these years. Once his memory comes back and he sees that ugly face, he should finally let go."

I closed my eyes in despair.

Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open.

Owen used all the strength in his little body to push past the people blocking the way and rushed in without hesitation.

"Grandma, please let my mom go. Do not hurt her."

Owen cried as he ran straight into Mrs. Blake.

Mrs. Blake was caught off guard and stumbled.

She looked down, and the angry words she had been about to say froze in her throat.

"Oh my, whose careless child is..."

That face.

Mrs. Blake froze.

His eyes, his nose bridge. He looked exactly like Adrian as a child.

At the same time, Mr. Blake also stared down in a trance.

Looking at Owen's face, he picked him up in disbelief and asked excitedly, "Little one, whose child are you?"

Owen was frightened by the scene. Crying, he shouted, "Grandpa, please let my mom, Lily Parker, go.

"I do not have a dad. She has worked very hard raising me alone. Do not bully her."