Chapter 2: A New Beginning
1. A few days had passed since Sofia was released from the hospital. The heavy scent of antiseptic still lingered on her clothes, as if the sterile, clinical world she had left behind was slowly fading into the past. But now, the harsh reality of her situation set in. She was free, but what did freedom mean when she had nowhere to go and no means to support herself? Even worse, there was the baby. Little Li Gag, with his soft skin and eyes that seemed to hold some deep mystery within them.
2. Sofia's heart ached with the knowledge that her baby, though small and fragile, needed much more than she could offer. She could barely feed herself, let alone provide for him. What kind of future did they have? The thought gnawed at her every moment.
3.The baby, despite his fragile appearance, had a unique trait. His skin was a warm brown, much like Sofia's, but there was something otherworldly about his eyes. Whenever he cried, his irises would shift to a striking green, the color of emeralds, with intricate patterns blooming within his gaze, like the petals of a flower unfurling in the morning sun. It was a strange phenomenon that both puzzled and awed Sofia. The doctors had said the child was healthy, but this unusual eye change had never been explained.
4. Sofia had spent the last two days in the rundown corner of the city she called home before her hospitalization. She had tried everything she could think of to calm the baby: singing lullabies, rocking him in her arms, offering him food, but nothing worked. Li Gag wouldn't stop crying. His wails seemed to echo through the streets, bouncing off the dilapidated buildings, their sound both an alarm and a cry for help.
5. With every passing moment, Sofia felt more and more helpless. Was she even a good mother? Why couldn't she soothe her baby? The thought lingered in her mind like a dark shadow, following her every move. She stood over him, watching as his tiny fists clenched in distress, his face red with the intensity of his cries. She could feel the eyes of the other homeless people who lived nearby, watching her from the doorways, the alleyways, with judgment in their eyes. What would they say if this kept up? They would force her out, make her leave this spot that had been her only refuge in the city. And where would she go then? What would become of her and Li Gag?
6. "Maybe I'm not a good mother," she muttered to herself, her voice a soft, defeated whisper. "Maybe... that's why the child doesn't love me. If he keeps on crying, they'll make me leave, and we'll be out on the streets again, just like before. Maybe I should just give up."
7. Her voice broke slightly, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her chest like a heavy stone. The tears she had been holding back threatened to spill, but she fought them off. There had to be another way.
8. An idea popped into Sofia's head, like a spark in the dark. "Maybe... I should send him to the orphanage. They'll take good care of him, I'm sure. After all, I've tried my best. Maybe it's time I pulled myself together, found a job, and got a better place to live. Maybe one day I'll even meet a kind man who'll be willing to help me and Li Gag."
9. Sofia's lips curled into a bittersweet smile at the thought. It was a dream, but in this world, dreams were often all that kept people going. She could still hope. She could still imagine a life where things were better.
10. With that thought in mind, she set off towards the orphanage. The building loomed ahead, a towering, cold structure that seemed to swallow the sunlight. Sofia hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to expect. But the reality was more bitter than she had imagined.
11. The staff at the orphanage turned her away immediately. They cited all sorts of regulations and rules, but the crux of the issue was simple: Sofia didn't have the right documents for the baby. Without the proper paperwork, there was no way they could take Li Gag in.
12. Anger surged within Sofia. How could they be so heartless? How could they turn away a helpless child just because of a few technicalities? She gritted her teeth, fury and frustration swirling inside her, but there was no time for a fight. Time was slipping away, and she had no choice but to find another solution, even if it meant making a desperate decision.
13. Without another word, she turned away from the orphanage. Her mind raced, her emotions erratic, and before she even knew it, she found herself walking towards one of the nearby houses—a modest, worn-down place where she had seen an elderly woman living alone. It wasn't the ideal solution, but desperation has a way of driving people to make hard choices.
14. Sofia arrived at the house, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She looked down at Li Gag, who had fallen silent in her arms. His green eyes flickered softly, as if they too were waiting for some sort of sign. She kissed his forehead, whispering a quiet goodbye. Then, with trembling hands, she gently placed him on the doorstep of the house and stepped back.
15. Her heart pounded in her chest. She knocked twice on the door. The sound echoed through the still air, and Sofia quickly turned, her feet carrying her away from the scene. She hid behind a tree nearby, her eyes fixed on the door as she watched from the shadows.
16. Moments later, the door creaked open. The woman, the elderly lady she had seen before, stood there, her tired eyes scanning the empty doorstep. Her gaze softened when she saw the child lying there, alone.
17. "What… what is this?" the lady gasped, bending down to lift the baby into her arms. Her eyes widened with disbelief as she cradled him to her chest. "Who would leave a child like this?" She hurried inside, slamming the door behind her. Sofia could barely breathe as she peered from her hiding spot, her mind racing with guilt and confusion.
18. The sound of a phone ringing echoed through the silence. The lady picked up the receiver and dialed quickly. "Hello, yes," she said urgently. "I found a child left on my doorstep. I think someone abandoned him." She gave the police the address, her voice shaking with both fear and concern. After the call ended, the elderly woman hung up, still clutching Li Gag as if she had just discovered a great treasure.
19. Sofia's heart sank as she watched from the distance. She had done what she thought was best, but now she wondered if she had made a terrible mistake. Would the police come for the child? Would they take him away? Was this really the solution?
20.As Sofia stood there, hidden in the shadows of the tree, she could only watch, waiting for the consequences of her actions to unfold.