Chapter 2044: You’re… a Woman?

Her voice was shaky. She was evidently frightened.

Shen Luo’an was taken aback. He quickly crouched down and grabbed her by the arm. “What did you say?”

Manting gasped and shrank back with a jerk. Tears ran down her face and her body was shaking as she shouted, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I was wrong! Please, Uncle, let me go. I’ll never dare to steal again!”

Her voice was tinged with remorse and guilt.

Shen Luo’an felt a biting pain in his heart.

He stared at her in disbelief. His heart ached for her.

Shen Manting was almost on her knees, pleading profusely.

“That’s enough!”

Shen Luo’an shouted at her in frustration. Then, he pulled her close and held her in a tight embrace.

Shen Manting was stunned and couldn’t help quivering.

“That’s enough, that’s enough…”

Shen Luo’an’s voice was shaking with indescribable despair.

He buried his face in her collarbone and muttered in a trembling voice, “I’ve had enough, Manting. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”

Shen Manting was baffled. She didn’t know how to respond.

However, she was comforted by the warmth emanating from the man holding her close. Her initial fear and panic dissipated.

She was overcome with emotion and felt an inexplicable ache in her heart.

Yet, logical reason soon took over.

She gently nudged him away. “Uncle…”

Shen Luo’an released her from his grip and stared at her blank expression. He stood up and said, “Get up, I’ll take you home.”

Take me… home?

Shen Manting was frightened. She pushed Shen Luo’an away and shouted, “Uncle, I…”

“Don’t call me Uncle!” Shen Luo’an raised his voice.

He turned around to see Shen Manting looking back at him fearfully.

He felt sorry for her and lowered his voice, coaxing her softly, “Come to the ward with me first. We’ll let the doctor examine you.”

Shen Manting looked around her.

She was surrounded by various medical equipment in the room. Many around her were wearing hospital gowns.

The pungent smell of medicine and disinfectant permeated the air.

Shen Manting suddenly panicked and burst into tears. She cried, “Did I fall sick again? Is the head doctor angry at me?”

Shen Luo’an held her hands in his and slowly rose to his feet.

Then, he broke down in tears.

He covered his face with his hand and sobbed quietly.

Soon, Shen Luo’an led Shen Manting through the crowd and left the room.

Shen Manting remained silent. She was trailing behind Shen Luo’an, sobbing.

“Stop crying,” Shen Luo’an whispered. Then, he pulled her close with one hand. “I’ll take you for a check-up first. Just answer any questions the doctor asks. Do you understand?”

Shen Manting stared at him blankly and nodded. She sniffled and replied, “Yes, I understand.”

Shen Luo’an picked up his mobile phone and called Shen Zhilie.

“Did you find her?”

As soon as he hung up, he heard an old man’s voice.

Shen Manting turned in the direction of the voice to see a kindly man walking toward them.

He was carrying a child and looked about fifty or sixty years old.

Shen Longyue was shocked to see Shen Manting. He was choked with emotion. “This is great news. You’ve finally woken up!”

Shen Yuexiao saw Shen Manting with her eyes open for the first time. He looked at her curiously and hesitated for a moment before uttering, “Mommy?”

When Shen Manting heard the child calling out for his mother, she looked around, feeling confused. Then, her gaze landed on Shen Luo’an. She stared at him in astonishment and exclaimed, “You… you’re a woman?”

But… but…

He had stubble on his chin and a visible lump in his throat. There was no way he could have been the child’s mother!