Having been friends with Rena for many years, Vera discerned the source of her troubles.

"You don't seem well. It appears that you're entangled with Waylen once again. Am I right?”

Rena chuckled and refuted, "Absolutely not."

She hesitated momentarily before confiding in Vera about Lexi. Then, in a hushed tone, she confessed, "Vera, | know I shouldn't but I simply can't resist the urge to love that child. They bear such a striking resemblance and even their names are so much alike.”

Vera, too, found it surreal.

What an extraordinary coincidence!

Out of the blue, a child who bore a resemblance to Rena's daughter materialized and that child had no mother,

Vera regarded it as unreliable. With earnestness, she advised, "You must be missing Alexis terribly, Rena.

Perhaps you should consider meeting other men.

There might be someone suitable for you in this vast world.”

For the past three years, Rena had remained single.

Vera was plagued with guilt and apprehension.

However, Rena wasn't in a rush. She had something to say but, just as she was about to speak, her phone rang, interrupting their conversation.

It was the same number that had messaged her the previous night, but this time it was Lexi. Speaking in a sweet voice, she uttered, "Miss Gordon, I miss you so much.”

Rena's countenance immediately softened.

"1 miss you too.”

Alexis persisted in her spoiled behavior.

"I want to see you."

Rena hesitated.

It was against protocol to meet a student on non-school days. She struggled to restrain herself for a considerable time and reluctantly declined, saying, "Let's meet on Friday, alright?”

Alexis seemed disappointed.

Instead of bursting into tears, she murmured softly, "Dad isn't home. I'm so lonely. Miss Gordon, please stay with me."