Chapter 2 Encounter with Mason
'Mother?'
To little Mason Thomas, "mother" was a word that felt far, far away.
The Thomas family was a significant presence in Emerald City, with numerous members, and Mason was the son of James Thomas, the family's head.
By all rights, Mason should've had it all—love, attention, the whole nine yards.
But in reality, he never felt any warmth.
Mason had autism and couldn't speak as a kid. The other kids in the family made fun of him, calling him "little mute." Two months ago, he hurt his left leg in an accident, and now they called him "little cripple."
The relatives treated him as if he were invisible, as if he were an embarrassment to the Thomas family.
James loved him a lot, though. No matter how busy he was, he always made time for Mason, cooking for him and spending quality time together. But James was often so busy that sometimes Mason would fall asleep hungry, waiting for him to come home.
And James, being a man, couldn't fill the role of a mother. So, even though Mason felt some fatherly love from James, he was still lonely.
And now, this strange woman was claiming to be his mother?
Should he believe her?
Mason nervously bit his lip, looking timidly at the gentle smile on Emily's face. He thought of how Emily had just held him protectively in her arms, feeling so warm and safe.
Is a mother's hug always this warm and comforting?
Could he, like others, have a mother's love?
But James had told him not to trust strangers easily.
Thinking of this, Mason took a few steps back, still wary.
"Sweetie?"
Emily looked at Mason's guarded eyes with a mix of heartache and helplessness. She knew she had been a bit impulsive at the moment. After all, no normal person would believe a stranger who suddenly appeared and claimed to be their mother.
Got it!
Emily's eyes lit up, and she smiled gently at Mason.
"Hang tight for a sec. I'll find you some playmates, okay?"
'Playmates?'
Mason didn't get it. He looked at Emily with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Emily took out her phone and made a call. Soon, two cool and handsome boys who looked alike walked over.
"Mommy!"
Chase ran over and hugged Emily's leg.
Jasper quietly followed Chase, his bright, cool eyes curiously observing Mason.
Mason was stunned. He looked at the two boys in their fancy suits standing next to the woman, one of them affectionately calling her "mommy."
So, this woman was lying to him.
She wasn't his mother; she was their mother.
Mason's nose tingled, and he lowered his head, tightly clutching the corner of his shirt, feeling lost and unsure.
Emily glanced at Mason and pulled the two boys close, whispering something in their ears.
After a moment, the two boys walked up to Mason.
"Hey, I'm Chase, and this is my twin brother, Jasper. What's your name?"
The lively Chase was the first to grab Mason's small hand, introducing himself with a big smile.
Mason blinked his bright eyes at the two boys in front of him, pressing his lips together without saying a word.
"Hey, why aren't you talking? Mommy says it's polite to respond when someone talks to you," Chase said with a grow-up tone, shaking his head.
Mason still kept his mouth shut.
'Does this kid not know how to talk?'Emily remembered the kids mocking Mason earlier, feeling even more heartbroken.
She walked over and squatted down to meet Mason's gaze.
"Can you write?" Emily asked softly.
Mason nodded.
"Then why don't you write your name for us, okay?"
Emily extended her palm to Mason.
Mason blinked and slowly reached out his thin little hand, tracing letters in Emily's palm.
Emily's eyes widened as she saw the scar on Mason's frail wrist, a burn mark from a cigarette.
God! What had her son gone through in the five years they had been apart?
"Mason?"
Chase read aloud, then beamed at Mason. "Your name is really nice."
Mason's face turned slightly red. It was the first time he had ever received such a straightforward compliment, and he felt a rare surge of joy.
"Mason," Emily smiled, gently holding Mason's small hand. "Don't you think you look a lot like your two brothers?"