Chapter 399: Nameless Bones

Chapter 399: Nameless Bones

Mason hugged his knees and curled up in the corner, trembling violently, as if he'd been transported back to that night.

The rainy night, the thunder, the endless darkness... and that man's twisted, terrifying face...

"Daddy, Mommy, save me!!"

Mason suddenly screamed in terror.

"Mason!"

Qiana startled. Without thinking, she rushed over and wrapped her arms around Mason's trembling, struggling body to keep him from accidentally hurting himself.

"Quick, call James and Emily."

"Right away."

Faye was shaken by Mason's screams too. She spun around to make the call.

"Mason, what's wrong?"

Briar trotted over to Mason's side, her round eyes filled with worry as she looked at him in Qiana's arms.

Mason didn't answer Briar. He couldn't hear anything, couldn't see anything—it was like being trapped alone in a pitch-black room, screaming and pounding on the door with no one coming to rescue him.

...

Another crack of thunder split the sky. The downpour kept washing over the city, as if trying to cover up something.

Outside the ruins of Love Orphanage, police cars clustered together. Officers in rain gear moved in and out of the wreckage.

Ivan frowned as he walked out through the main entrance. He let out a soft breath, then turned to look at James and Emily, who stood nearby speaking in low voices.

"James, Emily."

Ivan walked over slowly and nodded. "The forensics team has collected the remains you found. We also investigated that hidden underground space. It's not very large, well-sealed—looks like a wine cellar built when the orphanage was first constructed. But there wasn't a single barrel of wine inside. Apart from the remains you discovered, we didn't find anything else."

Emily's heart lurched.

"Were those remains... a child's?"

"No. Based on bone length and count, they belonged to an adult male."

"Thank God."

A horrifying thought had flashed through Emily's mind just then. Fortunately, Ivan had dispelled that terrible possibility.

If they weren't from a child who died in the fire, then whose were they?

An adult male—could it have been one of the orphanage staff?

"Can you identify who those remains belonged to?"

James asked, his brow furrowed.

Ivan thought for a moment, then said evenly, "There were some fabric scraps near the remains. Based on the material quality, this person was probably well-off when they were alive. As for other identifying information, we'll need to conduct a thorough examination of the remains back at the station."

As Ivan spoke, his gaze dropped to the doll in Emily's hand.

"Emily, that doll you're holding..."

"I found it at the orphanage."

Emily held up the doll and examined it carefully. She wasn't quite sure why she couldn't seem to let go of it.

She had a sharp intuition that something about this doll felt off, as if...

As if what?

Emily stared at the doll for a long time. Its head seemed too large, out of proportion with its body, and there were multiple stitching marks where it had been sewn together.

"Doesn't this doll seem kind of strange?"

Emily pointed to the oversized head.

Both Ivan and James looked down at the badly damaged doll.

"Emily, since this doll was found at the orphanage, it counts as evidence. I'll need to take it back for investigation. If you're interested, I'll share the results with you afterward."

Emily considered this, then nodded and handed the doll to Ivan.

Just then, James's phone rang.

"Hello?"

After a moment, James hung up, his expression darkening.

His eyes cold, he looked at Emily and said quietly, "Something's happened to Mason."

"What?"

Emily's eyes flew wide. Forgetting that Ivan was standing right there, she lunged forward and grabbed James by the collar, demanding sharply, "What do you mean something happened? Mason's supposed to be with Grandma!"

"Calm down."

James grasped Emily's cool hands. "I don't know the details. Faye just said we need to get back right away. Also, Mason started talking."

"Then we need to go back now!"

Emily clutched at James's collar, shouting helplessly.

"James, Emily, leave the investigation here to us. If you need to go, go ahead."

Ivan glanced up at the thundering, rain-filled sky, his expression grave. "But the weather's bad right now. The mountain roads will be treacherous. Please drive carefully."

"Thank you for your concern."

James thanked Ivan politely, then put his arm around the distressed Emily and left.

Ivan watched their hurried departure, shook his head with a sigh, then turned back into the orphanage ruins to continue directing the investigation.

...

The rain kept pouring down. The mountain road was winding and slick, but fortunately James's Land Rover had excellent performance. Even on the rough terrain, it handled smoothly.

While Emily was beside herself with worry, James remained outwardly calm despite the anxiety churning inside him.

His hands gripped the steering wheel steadily, not a tremor in sight.

James knew that moments like these required a clear head and sharp judgment.

Emily could panic, could fall apart—but he couldn't.

He had to be her most reliable support and pillar when she felt helpless and afraid.

In what felt like no time, the SUV pulled into the underground garage of the Thomas Villa.

"Mason!"

The moment the car stopped, Emily flung open the door and bolted out.

She'd barely rushed into the living room when she heard Mason's hoarse, anguished cries coming from the children's bedroom.

Emily felt her heart being torn in two. Without thinking, she ran straight into Mason's room.

"Ms. Johnson..."

Faye, Qiana, and Briar were all gathered by Mason's bed. Emily barely seemed to see them. She rushed to the bedside and swept the crying, screaming Mason into her arms.

"Mason, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I came back so late."

Emily held Mason tightly, her voice shaking.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Don't be scared. I'm here. I'll always be here."

Emily's nose stung. A tear slid down from the corner of her eye and disappeared into the crook of Mason's neck.

Mason suddenly went quiet.

Light gradually returned to his hollow eyes. His unfocused gaze sharpened, settling on Emily's pale face.

"Mommy."

Mason's voice came out soft, hoarse and weak.

Emily's body went rigid. She couldn't hold back anymore. Tears of overwhelming emotion spilled down her cheeks.

This was the first time she'd heard Mason's voice.

Mason could speak now. She should be happy—so why did her heart ache so much?