Chapter 232

I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. How could I possibly rest in this state?

I just wanted to see my child as soon as possible.

Royce seemed to sense my urgency. He grabbed my hand and gave it a firm squeeze. "Hey, don't worry. I've got this."

"How are you gonna find your kid if you don't get some rest?"

"These next few days are crucial. You need to take care of yourself."

Hearing him say that, I could only nod in agreement.

Royce was right. I hadn't slept much on the plane because I was too excited, thinking about seeing my child soon.

But in reality, Royce only said he had a lead, not that he had found my child.

I trusted him too much.

I sighed helplessly and let him lead me to the car.

Royce drove us to the entrance of a large estate.

I stared at the big house in the distance, stunned. "Royce, is this your place?"

Royce nodded. He parked the car in the underground garage and helped me out.

"Why do you need such a big house if you live alone?"

As far as I knew, Royce's family wasn't around, and he usually kept to himself.

Why buy such a big house?

Royce chuckled softly. "There will be more people living here in the future. I had to get a bigger place."

I looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"

He turned to me. "When we have more kids, we can't have them all crammed into one room, can we?"

I suddenly understood what he meant, and my face turned red.

I mumbled, "What do you mean by 'more kids'? What does that have to do with you?"

But Royce didn't hear me. He pulled me inside the estate.

He led me to a room. "You rest here. I'll be in the room next door."

"I'll tell you what I found out tomorrow after you wake up."

I shook my head. "Tell me a little now, or I won't be able to sleep."

I clasped my hands together, pleading. "Please, Royce, just give me a hint."

He sighed. "Alright, I'll tell you."

"I found out that Karen bought a property before she passed away. It's now under Earl's name."

"So what?"

"She bought it the year you had your child, and it's near the fishing village."

My eyes lit up. "So my child might be in that property?"

Royce nodded. "It's very possible. But we need to go there to find out. That's why I want you to sleep early. It's a long drive, and it'll be tiring."

Hearing that, I nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, I'll shower and go to bed right away."

I went to my room and closed the door.

I was too excited to sleep because of what Royce had said.

A property, bought the year I had my child, near the fishing village.

These clues combined were the answer I had been longing for. I was almost certain that was where my child was.

I showered and lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. My mind was filled with thoughts of seeing my child tomorrow.

By midnight, I still hadn't fallen asleep. I got up to get a glass of water.

I noticed the light was still on in Royce's room next door.

I knocked on his door. I heard the sound of a chair moving, and soon he came to open the door.

Seeing me, he sighed. "Caroline, I told you to sleep early. Why are you still up like a kid pretending to sleep?"

"What are you doing up?"

I felt like a student caught playing with their phone by a parent, feeling inexplicably guilty.

I shook my head. "I was thirsty. Why are you still up? Why are you lecturing me?"

Royce stepped aside. His room had a desk with a computer on it.

I was about to walk over out of curiosity, but his next words stopped me.

"I'm in a video conference."

"Then why did you come over? Won't they hear us talking?"

Royce shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm just listening. I muted myself."

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

I placed my empty glass on his desk. He poured me a glass of warm water.

"I'm too excited to sleep. I'm so happy thinking about finding my child."

"You probably can't understand how I feel."

To my surprise, Royce nodded seriously. "I'm trying my best to understand. Because of you, I care about your child too."

I immediately wanted to put down the glass and run away. I didn't know where Royce had learned to be so smooth-talking.

I quickly pushed him. "Go back to your meeting. I'll drink my water and go back to sleep."

Royce lifted the blanket on his bed. "Sleep here. I'll keep an eye on you."

"So you don't stay up again."

"Sleep here?"

I was stunned. Did Royce plan to sleep in the same bed after his meeting?

I wasn't ready for that.

I rubbed my hands, about to refuse.

But he said, "Don't worry, I'll sleep in your room later."

He turned off the light above the bed, leaving only a small lamp on his desk.

I always needed a nightlight to sleep. After what I'd been through, complete darkness made me uneasy.

So this dim light was perfect for me.

I got into bed. Maybe it was the soft sounds of Royce working on his computer that made me feel safe.

I quickly grew sleepy, my eyelids heavy, and drifted off.

I had a peaceful dream. I found my child, and he hugged me, calling me "Mom."

I rubbed his head. "Good boy, let's go home."

I held his hand and walked toward the light.

Then I woke up.

The room was empty. Thick curtains blocked the view outside, with only a sliver of light peeking through.

A small nightlight was still on by the bed. I didn't know how Royce knew I was afraid of the dark.

I felt refreshed, waking up naturally after a good dream. It was better than any medicine.

When I went downstairs, Royce was reading a book.

"You're awake?"

"You said you weren't tired, but you slept for ten hours. I almost went to wake you."

I stuck out my tongue, feeling a bit guilty. "Why didn't you wake me?"