Chapter 28 A Child's Silent Wounds " Okay . " As soon as Natalie hung up , a WhatsApp message popped up with a pinned location . It also included the orphanage director's phone number . Before heading out , Natalie called the director to confirm the child's information . Finished Once she confirmed the girl was indeed there , she wasted no time . She gathered the necessary documents and headed downstairs , hailing a cab to the orphanage . By the time she arrived , it was nearly eleven o'clock . The security guard , unfamiliar with her face , immediately blocked her at the entrance . " Ma'am , what brings you here ? Do you have an appointment ? " This orphanage was far stricter than the others she had visited before . Natalie showed the guard her call log with the director and clearly stated the child's full name . After confirming with the director , the guard finally let her in . Natalie had assumed that with such tight management , the institution would also provide a nurturing environment for the children . But the moment she stepped inside , she saw Lily being bullied . She had just climbed the stairs when she heard a child's desperate cries from above . " Stop hitting me ! If you don't stop , I'll tell the director- " " Oh , you're gonna tell the director ? Go ahead , tell her ! " " Ow ! That hurts ... " Natalie raced up the steps and saw several older girls ganging up on a much smaller one . There were no adults nearby . The girls , feeling unchecked , were merciless - kicking and hitting the younger child without restraint . The little girl wore a pink dress , her hair tied into two pigtails . Her clothes were smeared with dirt . She had her face buried in her knees , arms wrapped tightly around her head to shield herself . 1/3 Chapter 28 A Child's Silent Wounds At first , Natalie couldn't even see her face clearly . " Hey ! What are you doing ?! Stop that right now! " Natalie rushed forward and pulled the older girls away . Seeing an adult arrive , the bullies quickly scattered and fled . The small girl must have recognized her voice . She slowly looked up . The moment Natalie saw her face , she froze . It was Lily . Finished Cindy had shown her photos of the child while they were in prison . Lily was beautiful - her features had left a lasting impression . Seeing the face that so closely resembled Cindy's , Natalie knew instantly - this was her . " Lily ? You're Lily , right ? " The girl blinked at her , startled by the gentle tone . The panic in her eyes softened , replaced by confusion . " Ma'am , who are you ? How do you know my name ? " " I'm a friend of your mom's . I came here today to take you with me . Would you like to come with me ? " " Are you really my mom's friend ? How is she ? Is she doing okay in prison ? I miss her so much ... " Hearing that , Natalie's heart clenched . Lily knew her mother was in prison . Natalie hadn't expected that . She had prepared to cover up the truth , assuming Lily had been kept in the dark about Cindy's arrest . It must have been the child's father who told her . " Your mom is doing fine . She left you in my care . From now on , you'll live with me , okay ? I'll like my own daughter ." treat you Natalie wasn't entirely sure if Lily would be willing . But she laid her heart bare - with sincerity and the weight of a promise . 2/3 19:37 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 28 A Child's Silent Wounds 37 Finished Lily hesitated for a moment , then nodded . " If you really are my mom's friend , then yes , I want to go with you . I don't like it here . They always bully me . I don't want to stay anymore . " " Don't worry , Lily . I'll go through the proper channels . I'll speak to the director and make sure everything's handled legally ." Natalie reached out , gently brushing the dirt from the child's hair . Her eyes softened . But just then , Lily's gaze shifted . She looked away and seemed hesitant . " Lily , is there something else you want to tell me ? " The girl lowered her head , unable to meet her eyes . " If I make a mistake someday ... will you hit me ? " Natalie's chest tightened with a sharp , aching sorrow . Send Gifts 20