Chapter 3 Returning With the Child
799 Words
After being rescued by the crowd that day, I didn't even go home. I took all the cash I had and bought a ticket out of there.
Since then, for six whole years, I hadn't returned to this state.
I gave birth to my daughter, Mellie, all by myself.
Just when I thought we could start a new life in another state, our governor issued a strange new law after his re-election.
"Single mothers born in this state, even if they give birth elsewhere, their children have full citizenship rights here, including free admission to Anders Preparatory, Middle, and High Schools, as well as Anders University. Duke Anders will provide financial support, covering all expenses, and issue a generous monthly allowance for each mother."
Without a doubt, this was a welfare policy that was too tempting to resist!
Even if it meant returning to the place I had once fled from desperately...
*****
"Mommy! Is this where we're going to live now?" Mellie asked excitedly as she stood in our clean, new welfare apartment.
Since Mellie was born, we had been wandering in another state, living in various rented apartments, none as nice as this.
Life as a single mom hadn't been easy, and Mellie had suffered alongside me. Once, because I was so exhausted from work, I didn't wake up when a rat bit Mellie. It was unbelievable.
"Yeah, this is our new home. Thanks to the governor, this place is rent-free for single moms. I can save a lot of money and buy you some good food."
I bent down, smiling as I touched Mellie's cheek.
Her eyes lit up at the mention of good food.
"Then can we have steak, Mommy? Once a week?"
Seeing Mellie so happy made me even more grateful to Governor Anders. I would definitely vote for him in the next election!
Coming back was the right choice, as long as I could avoid those two scumbags. By now, they should be out of prison.
Thinking of this, I smiled and patted Mellie's head. "Do you like this place, Mellie?"
"I love it because you're here with me," Mellie said sweetly, hugging me tightly.
I was so touched, holding her close, and kissing her beautiful hair and eyes.
Since birth, Mellie had green eyes and golden hair.
My hair was light brown, and my eyes were blue. We didn't look much alike.
People often thought Mellie wasn't my child when they saw us together.
But that didn't affect my love for her. I just had a gut feeling that Mellie's looks were too similar to her father's, the man from my one-night stand. To avoid being found by him, I needed to disguise her a bit.
"Sweetie, tomorrow we'll go to Anders Preparatory School to enroll you. But first, we need to get you a new pair of contact lenses."
*****
In the principal's office at Anders Preparatory School...
"Duke, here's this year's list of new applicants. Still no green-eyed kids enrolling this year."
Nash Anders took the list, flipping through it carefully, his green eyes focused with an intensity that made Anna Garcia burn with jealousy.
Six years ago, the Anders family fought a major battle with the Farb family. The former Duke Anders was killed, leaving Nash as the last Alpha of the Anders family. But the elders refused to let him inherit the title without a mate!
Desperate to claim his rightful position, Nash searched everywhere for his mate and was lucky enough to find a woman whose scent captivated him.
They had one perfect night together, and the Moon Goddess assured him she would bear his child.
But something went wrong. To this day, both the woman and the child were still missing without a trace!
Nash, unable to prove he had a mate, still took the title by force and was elected governor. For six years, he quelled all rebellions in his territory and immediately issued the school enrollment law.
Anna suddenly knelt beside Nash, sliding her hand into his waistband.
"Nash, it's been so long since we've been..."
Nash remained motionless.
Anna's touch did nothing to arouse him.
For six years, it had been like this.
They had once been a couple. Whatever happened six years ago made him lose his desire for her!
Anna refused to believe Nash had found his mate. Damn it, she couldn't give up. Giving up meant losing the title of Duchess!
Gritting her teeth, Anna pulled down Nash's zipper and leaned in.
Just then, the office door was knocked.
"Excuse me, is this where new students enroll?"
The clear, innocent voice of a child made Nash freeze, instantly pushing Anna away.
At the next moment, a small, fluffy, golden head peeked in through the door.
"Sir, can I enroll here?"
- Writer
