She has Passed Away

The man smiled again. "I know, but not everyone can do what you do. I hope many people can learn from you." Agatha felt honored to hear the man's words. She felt that her actions were not in vain and that she could set a positive example for others. "Thank you, I will strive to continue being a good person," Agatha said with a smile. The man nodded and left the place. Agatha felt happy and felt that today was a good day. She felt that she had done something good and hoped to continue doing so in the future. Agatha saw Layla still crying and wanted to help alleviate her sadness. She then invited Layla to go buy ice cream as a comfort. "Layla, how about we go buy ice cream? We can choose the flavors we like and eat together. What do you think?" Agatha said gently. Layla nodded slightly and wiped away her tears. She felt happy that Agatha cared about her and wanted to make her feel better. They went to the nearest ice cream shop and bought their favorite flavors. Layla chose chocolate, while Agatha chose strawberry. They sat on a small bench in front of the ice cream shop and started eating together. Layla was still a bit sad, but the ice cream made her feel better. "Thank you, Aunt Agatha. This ice cream is very delicious," Layla said with a big smile. Agatha nodded and smiled. "You're welcome, Layla. I'm glad I could make you feel better." They continued eating ice cream and talking about pleasant things. Layla felt better, and Agatha was happy to have helped Layla feel better after the earlier incident. After they finished eating ice cream, they hurried back to the apartment. "Aunt, why did that woman know my name? And why did she say that I'm her child?" Layla suddenly asked. Agatha was taken aback by the sensitive question. But she would try to respond gently. "Hmm... I also don't know, but it seems like the woman remembered her child who might look like you. There are quite a few things like that happening in this city." "I believe in daddy. He can't really be my mom," Layla said. Agatha felt concerned hearing that. What if Layla knew the actual fact that her mother was still alive? Ah, Agatha couldn't bear to imagine how sad Layla would be when she found out. "Let's forget about the incident earlier; it's not good if you keep thinking about it," Agatha gently stroked Layla's head. After buying ice cream with Layla, as Agatha walked back to the apartment, her mind was filled with the woman who claimed to be Layla's birth mother earlier. Agatha felt anxious, questions haunting her mind. Could she continue to like Jayden and live with Layla? Or would she be kicked out by the woman who might feel more entitled to Jayden and Layla? Her worry grew with each step towards the apartment, bringing up questions about the future of her relationship and presence in Jayden's family. In her thoughts, Agatha remembered when Jayden talked about his past involving an ex. But shadows of uncertainty emerged in her mind. "Should I give up? No, right? I can't be sure if Jayden will return to live with his ex?" Agatha mumbled, confusion and worry mixing in her heart. The fear of loss and doubt about the future of her relationship with Jayden made Agatha ponder for a moment. "But it seems that if she is indeed Layla's birth mother, I think Layla won't be safe if she is with her. She is too harsh towards a child," Agatha said with concern. She tried to understand that the woman's presence might have a negative impact on Layla's life. Her courage and determination to protect the child grew stronger in her mind. *** "Dad! Help me!" Jayden shifted his attention from the laptop to Layla who suddenly entered his workroom running. The girl immediately hugged him tightly, leaving Jayden puzzled. He then lifted Layla onto his lap. "What's wrong, hmm? What does Papa need to do to help you?" Jayden asked gently, stroking Layla's hair. "Papa needs to help Aunt Agatha. She must be having a hard time because of me." Layla's tone sounded like she was about to cry. She bowed her head, feeling guilty, reluctant to look at her father. Jayden was instantly taken aback but still didn't understand. Suddenly, he was overwhelmed with worry. "What's happening? What do you mean because of you? What did you do?" Although hesitant, Layla bravely told everything. "This afternoon at the park, we met a strange woman, Dad. She said I was her child, and that woman claimed to be my birth mother. Then, because I was scared and hiding behind Aunt Agatha, the woman started using harsh words towards her." Layla's voice trailed off. "If I could fight back, Aunt Agatha wouldn't be the target of her anger now. I'm sure Aunt is sad now. That woman seems crazy, Dad. She keeps trying to take me home as if I were really her child." Layla then looked up, her father appeared silent. And she couldn't read that expression. "What if that woman finds out that I live here, Dad? She will surely hurt Aunt Agatha again. Papa, you have to do something." Since earlier, Jayden wasn't truly focused on listening. He was already very surprised when he heard Layla's words about a woman claiming to be her mother. One name spontaneously came to his mind. "Is Papa listening to me? Answer, Dad. Don't just stay silent." Layla shook Jayden's arm until the man blinked and snapped out of it. "Ah, yes, dear. Papa is listening. Papa is just thinking of ways to do something." Jayden smiled gently and stroked Layla's head. "Now you calm down first. Papa won't just stand still." Layla looked hopefully and raised her pinky finger. "Dad has to promise." Jayden then interlocked his finger with hers. "Papa definitely promises. Tomorrow we will fix everything." "Thank you, Dad!" said Layla, then rested her head on her father's chest. "You're welcome, Honey." Jayden answered softly, but his gaze sharpened and straight ahead. Memories from the past resurfaced nauseating him. "You're really coming back, it seems. I won't let you disrupt my life, Vania," Jayden said to himself. "But, Dad. Is my mom really gone far away? Papa said she wouldn't come back. So who is the woman this afternoon, Dad?" Layla suddenly asked after a few minutes of silence. Jayden's heart raced instantly. "Why did she know me? Is she Papa's friend?" she continued as Jayden still hadn't spoken. "By 'gone' what Papa meant was that her mother has passed away and is in heaven, right?" Layla continued, expressing everything on her mind. Jayden was startled this time. He almost forgot Layla was old enough to understand the true meaning of 'gone'. When she was little and Layla often asked about her mother, Jayden always said her mother had gone far away and wouldn't come back. "Yes, she's passed," Jayden answered later. His chest felt tight as if being stabbed. "Your mom indeed has passed away, Layla."