The Secret Scientist: A Mother's Triumphant Return Chapter 2

Back in the breakroom, I immediately opened the baby monitor app on my phone.

On the screen, a beautiful, porcelain-doll-like little girl blinked her big, watery eyes and said pitifully:

"Daddy, Lily has a Parent-Teacher event in three days. I want Mommy to go for me, can she?"

Ryan's voice was heavy with exhaustion:

"Mommy went... on a business trip far, far away... Daddy will go for you."

Lily's voice was full of grievance, and she started crying as she spoke:

"Daddy is lying. Lily is five years old this year, but I've never even seen Mommy.

"Does Lily not have a Mommy at all...?"

"Be good, Mommy is just very busy with work. Maybe... she'll be back in a little while."

"How long is a little while? I want Mommy right now, can I have her?"

Lily held onto Ryan's hand and asked carefully:

"All the kids at school have moms. I'm the only one who doesn't. They say I'm an unwanted kid that nobody loves.

"Their moms pick them up after school, make them delicious food, and knit them pretty sweaters.

"Daddy, Lily really, really wants a Mommy too.

"I promise, I'll listen to Mommy and won't make her mad..."

Lily was crying so hard she could barely catch her breath.

And all of this, I could only watch through the camera, unable to do a single thing.

Five years ago.

Just days after giving birth to Lily, I was called away on an emergency mission to this desert lab.

I had watched Lily grow up through a camera lens.

Even just hugging my own daughter had become an impossible luxury.

My heart clenched in pain, as if it was soaking in saltwater, bitterly agonizing.