When I arrived at the airport, I was shocked to spot Stephanus—of all places. He was here! He looked anxious, as if he were waiting for something important.
The moment he saw me walking over with my suitcase, his eyes widened in surprise. I even caught a flicker of panic in his expression.
“Livia? What are you doing here?” His voice heavy with unease. The way he gazed was flickering between me and the crowd around us. “I told you, didn’t I? I’m going on a trip for a while,” I said, watching him closely.
He froze for a moment before blurting out, “You’re leaving now?”
“Yeah.” I nodded.
Just then, I noticed a woman behind him, pushing a wheelchair. Seated in it was a little boy, no older than three.
And in that instant, everything clicked.
The child’s face—so strikingly similar to Stephanus’. Almost identical. I had been with Stephanus for four years. But this boy… he was only three.
He followed my gaze, realizing what I had just pieced together. Panic flashed across his face as he hurriedly said, “Livia, this is Claudia—just an old classmate!”
"You must be Livia, right? Steph has told me about you!"
Unlike Stephanus, Claudia was composed and confident as she looked at me.
"My child is sick and needs treatment here. When Steph found out, he offered to help make the arrangements. Livia, you’re not upset, are you?"
I smiled slightly. "Of course not."
"Steph, what’s going on with you? Look at Livia—she looks so exhausted."
She glanced at me, then added in a lighthearted tone, "Livia, you really need to take better care of yourself. If you don’t, you’ll age so quickly!"
Her words made my expression turn cold.
If it weren’t for her and Stephanus taking my child’s life away, would I be in this state?
And now, she was still rubbing salt into my wounds, pretending not to know while deliberately twisting the knife.
"That’s enough, Claudia. Stop talking," Stephanus cut in, his face darkening with discomfort.
Claudia simply smiled at my reaction but didn’t push any further.
"Livia, where are you headed?" she asked, glancing at my suitcase.
"Just need a change of scenery," I said with a faint smile.
I could barely keep my voice steady as I spoke.
"That works out perfectly! While you’re away, I’ll take good care of Steph for you. You know how men are—he’ll never take care of himself properly."
Claudia smiled at me, her tone light and casual.
"And since I just got here and don’t have a place to stay… you wouldn’t mind if I stayed at your place, right, Livia?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but just then, the boarding announcement echoed through the airport.
I smiled faintly, then turned to Stephanus. "I’m heading off now."
"Livia!"
His voice stopped me in my tracks. When I turned back, I saw the flicker of panic in his eyes.
"There’s nothing going on between me and Claudia!" he blurted out.
"Got it."
I gave a small nod, then turned and walked away without looking back.
When I landed, my father was waiting for me at the airport. The moment he saw me, his eyes filled with tears.
"I knew from the start that Stephanus wasn’t reliable, but you wouldn’t listen," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
"Over the years, I’ve helped him more than you know. Without that, he wouldn’t be where he is today."
He held my hand tightly and looked at me with deep concern.
"Now that you’re back, stay with me. Don’t leave again."
