Chapter 3 Wounds That Haven’t Healed

The sound of Rose’s limp body being pushed onto the police desk echoed painfully through the room.

Mr. Evan strode in, his voice sharp and furious.

“Officer! I’m filing a report! I caught this woman in the park trying to approach my son. She tried to kidnap him!”

Rose jerked back, struggling to free her wrist from his grip. “Sir, please! I told you, I didn’t …”

“Enough!” Evan snapped coldly. “You’ll explain everything here.”

A police officer stepped forward, trying to calm the situation. “Mr. Evan, please relax. Let’s all sit down first.”

Just then, a small voice broke through the tension. “Dad! Let her go!”

Alan came running into the station, his breathing ragged. “Let go of Aunt Rose! She’s not bad!”

Evan turned sharply to his son. “Alan! Stay out of this!”

“But I saw it myself!” Alan shouted, tears glistening in his eyes. “She was only helping me fix my toy car! If you don’t believe me, ask me! I’m not lying!”

The room fell silent. All eyes turned toward the little boy standing there small, trembling, but brave.

Rose’s eyes softened, her voice breaking. “Alan… thank you, sweetheart. Don’t cry anymore, okay?”

The officer rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then spoke quietly, “Sir, I don’t think a child this young would lie to defend someone unless he truly believed it.”

Evan clenched his fist. “Children are easy to manipulate! Maybe she tricked him!”

A calm but firm voice interrupted. “That’s enough, Evan.”

Everyone turned. A graceful woman in a cream-colored dress stepped into the room. Her beauty was elegant, but her gaze sharp as a blade.

“Sonya?” Evan frowned, startled.

Sonya Lancaster Evan’s older sister walked closer to Rose, who stood pale and frightened. “You must be Rose?” she asked gently.

Rose lowered her head respectfully. “Yes, Ma’am.”

Sonya turned back to her brother. “Evan, you’re being rash. The police already said there’s no evidence of kidnapping. You’re acting purely on assumption.”

Evan snorted. “I don’t need evidence. My instinct is enough.”

Sonya clicked her tongue softly. “Instinct or ego, Evan? Your own son defended this woman and held her hand in front of everyone.”

Alan tugged at his father’s sleeve, pleading. “Dad, please. I’m telling the truth. She just fixed my toy car … I don’t want Aunt Rose to go to jail.”

Evan’s face softened slightly, but his expression stayed rigid. “Enough, Alan. Stop crying.”

The officer sighed and looked up from his paperwork. “Mr. Evan, we found no indication of abduction. No missing child report, no witness to any attempt. We can’t detain this woman.”

Evan’s finger tapped impatiently on the table. “Do you even know who I am?” His tone carried the weight of authority.

The officer met his gaze steadily. “Precisely because we do, sir, we must remain impartial.”

The air thickened with tension. Evan exhaled slowly, then stood up. “Fine. But I’ll remember this woman’s face.” He glared at Rose. “If I ever see you near Alan again, I won’t hesitate.”

Rose bowed her head, her lips trembling, saying nothing.

Sonya sighed and leaned closer to her brother. “Listen to me, Evan,” she whispered. “Alan doesn’t open up easily to people. But he let this woman near him, even hugged her. I think she might be the right person to take care of him as his nanny.”

Evan gave her a cold look, ignoring the suggestion. He took Alan’s small hand and started toward the exit.

Alan turned back, smiling brightly through his tears. “Bye, Auntie Rose! See you later!”

Rose smiled weakly, waving back. As she left the police station, her steps felt heavy, her heart emptier than ever.

Outside, the night sky hung low and silent. She walked with her head bowed, lost in thought. Then she remembered Alan’s toy car was still in the park.

Without thinking, Rose ran back there. The toy lay exactly where she’d left it. She knelt, picking it up carefully, and a small, inexplicable smile spread across her face. Hugging the little car, she felt warmth bloom in her chest, a feeling she couldn’t quite name.

Carrying the toy, she walked lightly, not noticing where she was going—until she collided hard with someone.

Rose staggered back, startled. Laughter a high, mocking laugh, cut through the air, followed by the familiar scent of expensive perfume.

Her heart froze.

“Rose?” The voice was sweet and artificial, yet sharp enough to wound.

Lusy.

She stood before Rose, draped in a cream-colored dress and glittering heels, a small designer bag dangling from her arm. Beside her stood another woman, Brenda, one of their old acquaintances. Both of them stared at Rose with wide, shocked eyes.

Rose went still. Her pulse pounded painfully in her ears.

“Well, well,” Lusy sneered, her gaze traveling from Rose’s tangled hair to her worn shoes. “So you’re still alive. I thought you’d … vanished for good.”

“Enough,” Rose said softly, trying not to tremble. “I don’t have any business with you.” She tried to walk past, but Lusy grabbed her arm.

“Don’t be so rude, Rose. We’re old friends,” Lusy said with a cruel smile. “Did you know? Jody and I are very happy now. What’s wrong? You show up to take him back?”

“Shut up, Lusy.” Rose’s voice shook with anger.

“Why? I’m only stating facts.” Lusy laughed coldly. “You slept with some stranger while dating Jody, got pregnant in prison … You’re pathetic. How dare you show your face to me?”

Lusy shoved Rose’s shoulder roughly.

Rose’s hands balled into fists, her chest heaving. She glared straight into Lusy’s eyes. “You sold me, Lusy. You took Jody from me and left me with the child. Don’t you dare talk about shame, you don’t even know what that means.”

Lusy laughed mockingly. “Oh, listen to you. Acting all righteous? Look at yourself! Dirty clothes, messy hair, shoes falling apart. You’re nothing, Rose. A loser.”

Rose fell when Lusy pushed her again, but she rose immediately, only for Lusy to grab her hair and yank hard.

Rose clenched her teeth, forcing herself not to throw Alan’s toy car in Lusy’s face. But Brenda stepped forward quickly, grabbing Lusy’s arm. “Stop it, Lusy. It’s not worth it. She’s just passing by.”

“Why not?” Lusy snapped. “I want to know what she’s planning next. Maybe she’s plotting something to get Jody back.”

Rose’s voice trembled, but her eyes blazed. “You already destroyed me once, but I won’t stay down forever. I’ll rise again. Jody is trash, so keep him. He’s yours.”

Lusy froze for a second, then smirked, gripping Rose’s collar tightly. “Still stubborn as ever, huh? But the world isn’t kind, darling. No one wants a former convict. No one cares if you rise again. Honestly? I’d prefer if you just died.”

Rose slapped Lusy’s hand away and walked off without looking back.

Behind her, Lusy shouted, “Oh, by the way! Jody and I just celebrated our third wedding anniversary!”

Rose didn’t turn around. Lusy’s laughter echoed behind her like poison.

What none of them knew was that someone else had been watching.

Behind the park fence, a man stood quietly beside a sleek gray car. His sharp eyes followed Rose’s retreating figure.

“That’s her? The woman from earlier?” he asked.

His assistant nodded. “Yes, sir. Your son Alan keeps mentioning her name. Should I call her over?”

Evan shook his head, still watching Rose. He’d seen how cruelly that woman Lusy had treated her. But there was something else about Rose. Something that stirred him.

“Find out who she is,” Evan said evenly. “I want to know everything.”

Meanwhile, Rose walked faster, clutching Alan’s toy car tightly against her chest. Her steps were unsteady, her eyes wet, but she kept her head high.

When she finally reached the bus stop, her legs gave out. She sat, biting her lip until she tasted blood. Her throat ached with the scream she couldn’t release. Only the pounding in her chest and the memories of her ruined past filled the silence.

She looked down at the toy car in her hands. One of its wheels was broken, yet it still felt precious. Alan’s innocent face flashed before her eyes, his bright smile, his gentle voice.

Rose smiled faintly through her tears, brushing the l

ittle car with her fingertips.

Then a pair of footsteps stopped in front of her.

Rose looked up. Her eyes widened in shock.