The Surrogate He Discarded

The orphanage director sighed again.

Maybe Richard really did still see Isobel as a younger sister.

After all, Richard was a good man. He would never cross a boundary he believed should not be crossed.

But then another thought crept into her mind.

What if he doesn’t see her as a sister anymore?

Mama Rena glanced toward Richard again.

He was watching the children, but his eyes occasionally drifted toward the orphanage gate.

Is he still hoping that Isobel will come?

If Isobel could someday look at Richard as a man rather than as the older brother who had always protected her...

Wouldn’t they make a wonderful pair?

The thought wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

Richard was only a few years older than Isobel. And what was a difference of ten years when two people genuinely cared for each other?

If anything, Mama Rena thought, Richard’s maturity could be an advantage.

He was responsible. Patient. Protective.

Most importantly, he had already spent years caring for Isobel.

Perhaps fate had been quietly weaving their lives together all along.

Mama Rena shook her head at her own thoughts.

Don’t get ahead of yourself, Rena.

Still, she couldn’t help smiling.

Because sometimes, the person who had been beside you all along was the one you were never meant to lose.

...

Before Mama Rena could dwell on her thoughts any further, the sound of an approaching vehicle drew everyone’s attention.

A delivery truck rolled through the orphanage gates and stopped in the driveway.

One of the delivery men climbed out, tablet in hand, and looked around.

”Excuse me. We’re looking for the director of the orphanage.”

”That would be me,” Mama Rena replied, stepping forward with a welcoming smile.

The delivery man checked the information on his tablet.

”We have a delivery from Isobel Lancey. Please sign here.”

He turned the tablet toward her for confirmation.

Mama Rena’s eyes widened.

”Isobel?”

She looked toward the truck in surprise.

It wasn’t unusual for Isobel to send things to the orphanage. Over the years, she had provided plenty of necessities—crayons, art supplies, notebooks, school materials, and other things the children needed.

But this delivery appeared to be much larger.

There were boxes upon boxes being unloaded from the truck.

And that wasn’t all.

There were bags filled with goodies for the children, along with a large cake carefully packed to keep it from being damaged.

Mama Rena stared at the delivery, momentarily speechless.

”This...”

She turned toward Richard, clearly hesitant.

”She sent all of this?”

Richard smiled.

”Mama Rena, Isobel works for a good company now. Her salary is quite high.”

Mama Rena’s hesitation disappeared instantly.

”Oh.”

She straightened and looked back at the delivery truck.

”Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

She turned to the delivery men and waved them toward the entrance.

”Bring everything inside!”

The children immediately erupted into excited cheers.

Mama Rena’s smile grew wider.

”Carefully! Don’t crush the cake!”

Richard couldn’t help laughing.

For someone who had just been worried about accepting too much from Isobel, Mama Rena had certainly changed her mind quickly.

How wonderful would it be if Isobel was there as well.

...

The children had just finished lunch and were preparing for the program when the distant roar of rotor blades drifted into the multi-purpose hall.

The children looked up.

A helicopter appeared over the treetops, its sleek body glinting beneath the early afternoon sun as it approached the open field beside the orphanage.

”What is that?”

”Is it coming here?”

”Wow!”

Excited voices erupted among the children as they ran out from the multi-purpose hall.

The helicopter circled once before descending, its powerful rotors whipping the air into a frenzy. Dust and dry leaves scattered across the field, while the trees along the edge of the property swayed violently.

Mama Rena raised an arm to shield her face.

The children squealed with delight as they tried to see through the swirling dust.

The helicopter hovered briefly before lowering with practiced precision.

A few seconds later, its landing skids touched the ground.

The rotors continued spinning, sending one final powerful gust across the field before gradually slowing.

Everyone waited expectantly.

Then the side door opened.

Morgan Foster stepped out first.

Even after traveling by helicopter, the CEO looked completely composed. His suit remained immaculate, his expression calm, as though landing a helicopter beside an orphanage was nothing unusual.

Then he turned back as if waiting for someone.

A slender figure in a light blue midi dress appeared behind him.

Isobel.

She carefully stepped down, one hand gripping the door frame as she fought the wind tugging at her clothes and hair.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she hurriedly smoothed her hair.

She glanced around at the children staring at her.

Then at the helicopter.

Then back at the orphanage.

A faint blush crept into her cheeks.

She suddenly felt a little ridiculous.

I could have just driven here.

Morgan, however, seemed completely unconcerned.

He had an urgent meeting at the hotel near the orphanage, and the helicopter was simply the fastest way to get there from the beach.

When Isobel learned that Morgan was heading back to Aldea, she asked to come along.

As soon as Morgan saw Isobel walking toward the orphanage, he turned back to the helicopter. Moments later, the rotors began to spin, and the helicopter lifted off, disappearing into the sky.

Meanwhile, Isobel’s face turned bright red.

She hadn’t expected to make such a dramatic entrance.

The children, however, were already buzzing with excitement. They rushed toward her and hugged her thighs.

”Aunt Isobel!”

”She’s here!”

”Aunt Isobel came in a helicopter!”

Isobel’s embarrassment immediately disappeared.

A smile spread across her face as she waved at them.

”Hello!”

The boy with the missing teeth appeared in front of Isobel.

”Aunt Isobel, you came. You kept your promise.” He said grinning widely.

”Of course, I remembered my promise.”

The children clapped their hands in happiness.

Behind them, Richard stood frozen for a moment.

His eyes had been fixed on the helicopter.

Now they were fixed on Isobel.

And despite himself, a smile slowly appeared on his face.

”I’m glad she came.”