CHAPTER 191: CHAPTER 191: NEVER CALLED DAD

"I just brought you to this city, unfamiliar with everything, and each day I could only take you to sleep at the station. The money I had ran out in just a couple of days. When I was with your father, he spoiled me and never let me work, let alone get a job, so I had no idea what to do. People wouldn’t hire me with a child, so I went to the construction site next to the station. The foreman took pity on me and took me in. I carried you on my back while working, couldn’t compete with others in strength, and was often scolded," Catherine Yardley said, her tone carrying a hint of laughter.

It sounded like a nonchalant story, yet Shannon Quinn felt a heaviness in her heart.

"The weather was hot, and I didn’t have much milk, nor could I afford formula. You were never full. Then you fell ill those two days; you kept crying on my back. After just a few days of work, another woman at the construction site told me that with such a small child, it wasn’t sustainable. There happened to be a welfare institution a few kilometers away, and she told me to take you there. She said it wasn’t a matter of you suffering with me, but that I might not be able to raise you..."

Catherine Yardley choked up and took a deep breath, saying, "I couldn’t bear it, but I was afraid something would really happen if it went on. That night you got a high fever, crying all night, and at midnight, she and I held you and left you at the welfare institution’s door..."

She didn’t continue, instead glancing at Shannon Quinn, her eyes moist with guilt.

"Shannon, I never thought I’d see you again... She advised me at that time to work hard, earn money, and once I had the means, I could come back to the institution to bring you home. But then a lot happened, and all I knew was that the people who adopted you were in this city. I’ve always wanted to find you, but also feared finding you."

Shannon Quinn drew a deep breath and didn’t ask about what happened afterward. Just then Julian Yardley returned, and Catherine Yardley quickly collected her emotions.

"Back so soon?" Julian Yardley put down his things, glanced at Shannon Quinn washing vegetables, and teased, "So diligent? Like a daughter-in-law visiting."

Shannon Quinn frowned, about to scold him, but Catherine Yardley reprimanded, "Don’t talk nonsense!"

Julian Yardley chuckled and turned to go play with Leo.

He had a bit of childlike nature himself, making it easy to get along with kids.

There is a difference between men and women taking care of children. Shannon Quinn always felt that it was thanks to Liam Sterling often accompanying Leo that Leo’s personality turned out to be bright and cheerful.

The meal was served, and the family sat around the small table.

Shannon Quinn’s thoughts were still lingering on what Catherine Yardley had just said, completely changing her view of Catherine Yardley in her heart.

"Mom, didn’t you buy some toys for the kids before? Why don’t you bring them out?" Sheila Yardley suddenly mentioned.

Catherine Yardley immediately stood up and said, "Ah, look at my memory, I totally forgot."

Shannon Quinn replied, "It’s okay, bring them out after the meal."

Shannon Quinn hadn’t expected Catherine Yardley to still care about the child. Over the past year, she hadn’t called Catherine Yardley even once, let alone mentioned the child, yet she still remembered to buy toys for the child.

During the meal and chat, Shannon Quinn learned that Catherine Yardley wanted to find a job. Although Julian Yardley and Sheila Yardley both disagreed, she herself said she was bored at home and wanted to find something to pass the time.

Shannon Quinn thought for a moment and said, "Just as the nanny at my place is about to leave, why don’t you come over and help me with the kids."

Hearing Shannon Quinn’s words, Catherine Yardley was momentarily incredulous, thinking she heard wrong, and didn’t dare to nod in agreement.

"Is it appropriate, Shannon? My mom doesn’t have experience in this. You’d be better off hiring a professional nanny to feel secure."

"It’s okay, just help me look after the kids, but once you’re over there, you’ll be far from them, it’s up to you whether you feel at ease."

Catherine Yardley, fearing she’d miss such a chance, hurriedly said, "Over here, both of them are busy with their own matters anyway, I’m the only idle person. Besides, it’s not that far away. As long as you agree, Shannon, I can come over with you."

Julian Yardley didn’t know what he was planning, but after thinking for a moment, he also supported Catherine Yardley going with Shannon Quinn.

And so, the matter was settled. That night, Catherine Yardley packed her things, and early the next morning, she left with Shannon Quinn.

What has already passed should be let go. Sometimes, forgiveness is not just about being lenient to others, but also about releasing oneself.

Catherine Yardley was very meticulous, taking care of Leo even more carefully than Shannon Quinn herself.

After all, with blood relations, compared to hiring a nanny from outside, Shannon Quinn was more at ease with Catherine Yardley.

After Catherine Yardley came over, she felt an unconscious dependence on her mother, becoming like a child.

In the mornings, when Leo woke up early, Catherine Yardley would take Leo for a walk downstairs, giving Shannon Quinn a chance to sleep in.

For all three meals, Catherine Yardley varied the dishes for her, spoiling her until her own life skills deteriorated.

One weekend evening, Liam Sterling, using the excuse of discussing business, came over to cadge a meal again.

When he knocked on the door, it was opened by Catherine Yardley. Seeing a face so similar to Shannon Quinn’s, Liam Sterling was momentarily taken aback, guessing she might be Shannon Quinn’s mother, though Shannon Quinn never mentioned her, and he just smiled and said, "Hello, Auntie."

"You’re Shannon’s friend, right? She mentioned you’d come. Come in and sit down. She’s bathing the child, should be done soon."

"I’ll go take a look."

After Liam Sterling left, Catherine Yardley secretly observed him several times.

A male friend who could often drop by the house wasn’t likely to be ordinary. This young man was tall, well-mannered, and seemed decent.

Liam Sterling knocked on the bedroom door. Shannon Quinn was by the bed dressing Leo. Upon seeing Liam walk in, she teased, "You’re here to cadge a meal again, not even a bit polite."

"Who’s the auntie outside? Where’s the previous one?"

Shannon Quinn’s hands paused briefly, then she said, "The previous one resigned, the new one."

Liam Sterling immediately expressed surprise, "Not your mom? You look so much alike!"

Shannon Quinn smiled quietly, her mind contemplating that, despite her internal acknowledgment of this relationship, she hadn’t yet called her "Mom."

"Brother! Brother! Hug!" Leo looked at Liam Sterling, joyfully laughing and calling him in a muddled voice.

Liam Sterling smiled and, seeing Shannon Quinn had finished dressing Leo, went over and scooped the child up, saying, "Brother brought you some goodies."

Watching Liam Sterling carrying Leo away, Shannon Quinn tidied the clothes on the bed, her mind wandering.

Leo could call her mom, call the uncles and aunties, brothers and sisters...

But had never called someone ’Dad,’ because she had never mentioned that term in front of him.