Chapter 708: So, He Was Nothing More Than This

Chapter 708: Chapter 708: So, He Was Nothing More Than This

When they first found Donna, he had been on the verge of death. Aaron Wyatt and Annabelle Linton sold everything they had, raising money for his surgery with the help of the orphanage director and a few other kind people.

Before the surgery, Donna was convinced he wouldn’t survive. He said his only wish was to have a mom and dad, so Annabelle Linton and Aaron Wyatt naturally became his parents.

As it turned out, the surgery was a great success. Annabelle Linton performed it herself, which made Donna admire her immensely.

And he had been calling them that for many years now.

Afterward, in both this life and the last, Aaron Wyatt and Annabelle Linton had supported this orphanage for a long time, and all the children adored them.

When Leona Grant heard this, the smile on his face froze.

’Father Wyatt, Annabelle’s Mom?’

’Are they talking about Annabelle Linton and Aaron Wyatt?’

At the thought, Leona Grant felt as if his heart was being repeatedly stabbed by swords. Besides the pain, he didn’t know what else to feel or how to react.

’He had come here filled with joy, thinking she was finally introducing him to her world, but he never imagined she had brought Aaron Wyatt into it long ago.’

’She was the mom and Aaron Wyatt was the dad. So what did that make him?’

Leona Grant suddenly remembered Stuart—he was their son, too.

And he felt like he was just the odd one out.

Hearing Donna, the other children chimed in, asking Annabelle Linton in confusion, "Yeah, Annabelle, where’s Wyatt? Why didn’t he come for our birthday party? We really miss him. Can you call him and ask him to come back, please?"

"Yeah, where’s Wyatt...?"

Everyone started asking about Aaron Wyatt.

Annabelle Linton gave Leona Grant a troubled glance, then turned her gentle attention to the children and explained, "Wyatt is busy working overseas right now. He said he needs to earn money to buy all of you toys, but he’ll be back soon. If you miss him, I can give him a call, alright? So don’t you worry. For now, why don’t you all go look at the presents? They’re by the main gate. Remember to form a line!"

Leona Grant listened as she spoke of Aaron Wyatt, and saw how everyone’s faces lit up with joy. He offered a small smile but said nothing, lowering his gaze as a deep sadness clouded his eyes.

’Annabelle had introduced Aaron Wyatt to everyone long ago. And he, Leona Grant, was destined to be nothing more than an extra, a substitute...’

’Heh. He’d foolishly hoped he would be the first one she introduced to the people in her life. But Aaron Wyatt had beaten him to it long ago.’

’So, this was all he amounted to after all.’

Annabelle Linton gave him a complicated look but said nothing.

The children were full of enthusiasm. Since it was a joint birthday party for everyone, they had prepared many performances.

Leona Grant patiently watched the children sing and dance, and he even helped cut the cake. He acted completely normal, showing no outward sign of being bothered.

But as Annabelle Linton watched him, she felt that something was off, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was...

——

"Mia, this cake is so yummy!"

"Yeah, Danny, I think it’s super yummy too. I wish I could eat cake this good forever."

Two small children were sitting under a tree, happily eating their cake.

"Is the cake delicious, kids?" As the two children ate their cake, a woman in a work uniform approached them with a kind smile and crouched down in front of them.

Seeing that she was a pretty lady who even looked a little bit like Annabelle, the two of them felt an inexplicable sense of warmth toward her.