Chapter 290: She Is My Mom

Early the next morning, Ruben took Hannah to the company.

The conference room was packed with people, and his team was presenting the expansion plan for the Kyrandor market.

Hannah listened carefully, occasionally asking a few questions, all about distribution channels and pricing.

Ruben’s phone rang mid-meeting. He glanced at the screen, and his expression hardened.

"Sorry, I need to take this call."

He slipped out of the room and returned within seconds, his face set in a grim mask.

"That was the kindergarten director. Something happened with Kiki."

"Sorry, I have to leave," he said to the manager. "You continue leading the meeting."

Hannah stood up. "Don't worry, I'll come with you."

She had the information she needed. What was left—Stone family business—didn't require her attention.

And she was genuinely worried about the little one.

What could happen to such a small child at kindergarten?

They reached the kindergarten to find the office thick with a suffocating tension.

A little boy sat in a chair crying, with a red mark on his forehead. A woman in thick makeup stood beside him, hands on her hips, jabbing an accusing finger at the teacher.

Kiki stood tucked in the corner, her small face tight and eyes rimmed with red. Though her mouth trembled the moment she saw Ruben, she refused to let a single tear fall.

When she saw Hannah, her eyes lit up immediately.

"Mommy!"

Kiki sprinted to Hannah, clinging to her legs as if she were an anchor and hiding her face against her.

Hannah froze, her body stiffening a bit, but she quickly relaxed and crouched down to pick up Kiki.

The woman raked her eyes over Hannah, her voice cutting through the room like a blade.

"So you're her mother? How do you raise your kid? Your daughter beat up my son like this!"

The boy’s crying hit a new peak. In the center, the teacher stood frozen, caught in the crossfire without a clue how to respond.

Kiki lifted her head and said loudly, "She is my mother! I'm not a 'wild child.' My mommy is the most beautiful person in the world!"

"Look, my mommy is way prettier than your mommy! I have a mommy!"

Though her voice shook, her words carried a fierce weight. Hannah met Kiki’s gaze; the girl’s eyes were glassy and brimming, but she held back the flow of tears.

She bit her lip, looking at Hannah stubbornly, as if waiting for an answer.

The teacher and other parents all looked at Hannah, their gazes filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and something hard to define.

Wasn't she in Havaland? Since when is she back? Is she really the mother, or is Kiki just making it up?

They looked at Ruben again.

Speaking of which, Ruben had a certain status and reputation locally. The fact that he had a child but no public record of a wife was a glaring anomaly that people couldn't ignore.

Seeing her beside him, beautiful and poised, the room was suddenly buzzing with unspoken curiosity.

Kiki nestled against Hannah's shoulder, her little hands around her neck, holding on very tight.

Hannah patted Kiki's back and spoke calmly.

"I've been working in Havaland. Work has been really busy, which is why I've never come to the school before."

She neither confirmed nor denied it.

But Kiki was already beaming, leaning in to breathe a soft "Mommy" against her ear.

Hannah’s heart tightened. She met the girl's eyes with a silent smile and a gentle rub of her hair.

Ruben walked over and stood in front of the two of them.

"Mrs. Day, I'll handle the children's matter."

The woman across from them paused. "You know me?"

"Your husband just signed a three-year partnership contract with me this year."

Ruben spoke kindly, but the look in his eyes was quite cold.

"Please take your son to get checked out first. I'll cover all medical expenses. As for the matter between the children, I won't make an issue of it this time."

Not this time—but what about next time?

Wary of Ruben’s influence, the woman bit back her retort and pulled her son away.

She didn't go quietly, however, barking a threat before disappearing.

"You better pray my son is okay, or I definitely won't let this go!"

Ruben ignored her and looked at Hannah instead.

"Take Kiki to the car and wait for me."

Hannah nodded and carried Kiki outside.

As soon as they left the kindergarten, Kiki started crying.

Tucked in Hannah’s embrace, the girl let out a flood of tears, her entire frame trembling under the weight of her cries.

"They said I don't have a mommy, said I'm a wild child. I didn't mean to, I just got so mad that I hit him. Miss, I’m not a bad kid... I’m really not. I... I didn’t mean to lie."

Hannah held her, gently patting her back, comforting her softly.

"I didn't mean to trick people either."

Kiki sobbed, "I just... you feel like my mom. Like her..."

Hannah’s eyes stung. The words "wild child" dragged her back to the orphanage, echoing the same cruel taunts her classmates used to hurl at her.

She had gotten into fights too, had cried too, had once treated a teacher like a mother.

She lowered her head and kissed Kiki's hair.

"Next time other kids say that to you, just tell them your mommy works in Havaland."

Kiki looked up, her tear-filled eyes shining.

"Then can you come pick me up often? So everyone thinks I have a mommy."

"Miss, can you be my mommy? My daddy is actually pretty nice, and I'm very nice too."

Before Hannah could utter a word, a cold voice rang out behind them. "She's not your mother. And she certainly isn't your father's wife."

Hannah turned around. Ethan had arrived at some point.

Dragging a suitcase, he looked haggard; his suit was creased and his eyes were a map of red veins from the rush.

Kiki flinched at the ice in his voice before letting out a loud, heartbroken wail.

Hannah glared at Ethan and quickly comforted the child.

"It's okay, he didn't mean it."

Kiki buried herself in Hannah's shoulder, not daring to look at Ethan.

Seeing Ethan, Ruben’s face darkened with a slight frown. He offered no greeting, simply walking past him to open the door and retrieve Kiki.

"Kiki, come inside with me to get your backpack."

Kiki held onto Ruben's neck, still sniffling.

She glanced at Hannah, then at Ethan, and said quietly, "Daddy, that uncle is so mean."

Ruben smiled. "He's not mean, he's just worried."

"Is he worried about stealing my mommy?" Kiki pouted.

"I already told you, she's not your mother!"

Ethan knew better than to argue with a kid, but he snapped back regardless. He only shut up when he caught the warning glare Hannah shot his way.

"You two talk. I'll take Kiki over there first."

Ruben shook his head helplessly. He nodded slightly at Hannah, thought for a moment, then walked away carrying Kiki.

Left alone by the vehicle, Ethan fixed Hannah with a look that was equal parts anger and heartbreak, shadowed by something he couldn't even name.

"You ran off to another country just to play mommy to someone else's kid?"

The words were quiet, but they carried a stinging heat. "Or is that what you want? To truly be Ruben's wife?"