I gave a banner to the perpetrator
After Nova was born, I cherished her like a treasure.
She was not only adorable but also very well-behaved and smart.
Other kids loved to cry and fuss when they were little, but Nova didn’t need anyone to coax her to sleep. She would cuddle her little blanket, lie on the pillow, and fall asleep on her own. We never had to worry about her eating either.
From kindergarten to first grade, Nova always ranked first in every exam. She also placed top in various competitions in her extracurricular classes.
Our relatives and friends all said I was incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful child like Nova in this lifetime.
On my birthday, I wanted to eat cake. Nova and Weston went out to buy one for me, but they got into a car accident on the way. Weston only suffered minor injuries, but Nova passed away on the spot.
Everyone thought I must hate the person responsible and also hate myself. After all, I loved Nova so much, and she died because I wanted to eat cake.
But I didn't feel guilty at all and even called the florist with a smile.
I said, "I want to order a bouquet of flowers, and on the card, write 'Thank you for your kind act, and may you always be happy.' This is for Joseph Nelson."
Everyone was stunned because Joseph was the name of the person responsible for the accident.
*****
Nova was the kind of good kid that no one could find fault with.
Other kids were fussy when they were little, but Nova didn’t need anyone to lull her to sleep. She’d hug her little blanket, lie on the pillow, and fall asleep.
At mealtime, while other kids needed their parents to feed them, Nova would sit nicely in her chair, eating bite after bite with great enjoyment.
By the time she turned three, Nova's adorable little face was always smiling, and she would sweetly greet the neighbors.
When she started school, her excellence became impossible to hide.
Nova ranked first in every exam, and her handwriting in the notebooks was always neat and tidy.
She joined a dance class and won the city competition's gold medal after just six months. Even her casual drawings were displayed by the teacher on the most prominent wall in the classroom as examples.
My relatives and friends always said enviously, "The greatest blessing in your life is having such a wonderful child like Nova."
I always nodded with a smile, feeling incredibly proud inside. Nova is truly the best gift heaven has given me.
However, this happiness was completely shattered on my birthday.
That morning, Nova and Weston went out to buy me a cake but got into a car accident on the way.
Weston only suffered minor injuries, but Nova, due to severe injuries, closed her eyes forever before I could reach the hospital.
Nova's departure made everyone worry about me.
My best friend Ruby Diaz stayed with me, afraid I might do something foolish. Weston, with red eyes, swore to make the culprit pay.
Even the neighbors in the community who weren't close to me thought I must hate the culprit. After all, everyone knew how much I loved Nova.
But I smiled and called the flower shop.
I said, "I want to order a bouquet, and on the card, write 'Thank you for your kind act, and may you always be happy.' This is for Joseph Nelson."
Everyone was stunned because Joseph was the name of the culprit.
Before I could hang up, Weston, sitting next to me, suddenly grabbed my phone.
His eyes were red, and his voice was filled with disbelief. "Are you crazy? Joseph is the one who killed Nova. You want to send him flowers?"
Ruby, with reddened eyes, grabbed my arm.
She said, "Adeline, are you so heartbroken that you've lost your mind? Tell me the truth. Are you hiding something? Don't be afraid. I'll always be here for you."
I pulled back my arm from Ruby's grip, my tone as calm as if I were talking about someone else.
I said, "I have no hidden reasons. I just want to send them."
"You just want to send them?" Weston's voice suddenly rose, filled with shock and anger. "Do you know? Yesterday, Nova secretly told me she was saving up to buy you flowers. Nova loved you so much, yet you want to send flowers to the one who killed her. Adeline, are you even human?"
At that moment, Weston's mother, Maria White, came out of the kitchen carrying chicken soup she had made for me. Upon learning what had happened, the pot in her hands fell to the ground, spilling the soup everywhere.
Maria staggered forward, her aged voice trembling with sobs.
She said, "You used to love Nova so much. Even if she lost a single strand of hair, you'd feel heartbroken. Now that she's gone, not only do you not hate the killer, but you also want to send them flowers? Are you possessed by a ghost?"
I looked at Maria expressionlessly and said, "Maria, I'm perfectly fine. I know exactly what I'm doing."
Weston trembled with anger, his eyes filled with fury and disappointment as he looked at me.
He said angrily, "Adeline, do you realize what you're saying? Nova was your own daughter, the child you gave everything to bring into this world. How can you be so heartless? Do you even deserve to be a mother?"
Ruby, with reddened eyes, also tried to persuade me, "Adeline, I know you're upset, but you can't torment yourself like this. Please calm down, okay?"
Facing their questioning and accusations, I said nothing and got up, walking to the door of Nova's room.
On her door was a family portrait drawn by Nova. She had colored it brightly with crayons, and next to it, in crooked handwriting, were the words "I love Mom and Dad."
At that moment, my phone rang. It was a call from the police station.
I answered the phone, my tone still calm.
I said, "Has Joseph arrived? I'll head over now."
"Yes, I'm sure I want to sign the letter of understanding, not hold him legally accountable, and not ask for any compensation."
"What did you say?" Weston snatched my phone, his eyes red as if about to bleed. "You want to sign a letter of understanding for the bastard who killed Nova?"
Maria clutched my clothes, crying. "Adeline, I beg you, don't go. Don't sign that thing. We need to make him go to jail, make him pay for my granddaughter's life."
Ruby stood aside, her eyes full of confusion and disappointment as she looked at me.
I said nothing and took a cab to the police station.
The taxi stopped at the police station entrance. As soon as I got out, I heard hurried footsteps behind me.
I turned around and saw Weston striding toward me with clenched fists, while Maria, supported by Ruby, followed. Their faces were filled with urgency and shock.
"Adeline, stop right there!" Weston's voice was full of anger.
He looked at me with reddened eyes and said, "Do you have to destroy this family to be satisfied?"
I didn't answer his question and walked straight into the police station.
Seeing me, the police immediately stood up to greet me, their faces showing a complex expression.
He said, "You must be Adeline, right? Joseph is already in the mediation room. But are you sure you want to sign the letter of forgiveness?"
I nodded and then pushed open the door to the mediation room. Inside, Joseph was sitting on a chair with his legs crossed, a cigarette unlit in his mouth.
Seeing me come in, Joseph looked up at me and gave a particularly arrogant smile.
He said, "Are you that girl's mom? I thought you'd cry for three days and nights."
Joseph's tone was flippant and arrogant, showing no trace of the guilt a perpetrator should have.
Weston was furious and rushed up to grab Joseph by the collar.
He roared, "You're such a bastard! I want you to pay for Nova's life!"
Joseph shrugged indifferently and even leaned closer to Weston on purpose.
He laughed and said, "What's wrong? Want to hit me? This is the police station. Go ahead, try touching me. If you dare hit me today, get ready to pay up."
"You're asking for it!" Weston, furious to the extreme, swung his fist straight at Joseph's face.
Several police officers quickly restrained Weston and sternly scolded Joseph, "Joseph, watch your attitude. This is the police station."
Joseph didn't care at all and pointed at me, saying, "What's wrong with my attitude? She's the one who wants to sign the settlement, not me forcing her. Besides, didn't she say it was her daughter's fault? This isn't my problem."
Weston was trembling with anger at his words, while Maria clutched her chest, unable to speak. Even the police officers' expressions turned grim.
However, Joseph not only didn't hold back but instead stared at me and slowly said, "My car was wrecked. I can agree to a settlement. But you have to apologize and pay me $20,000 for the repair. If you do that, I'll pretend this never happened."
"I'll kill you!" Weston roared and tried to charge forward again. However, I suddenly stepped in front of Joseph, gripping Weston's arms tightly with both hands.
Weston froze, staring at me in disbelief. "Adeline, are you protecting this bastard?"
"Can you be a little polite?" I scolded Weston expressionlessly. "Mr. Nelson is right. His car is indeed wrecked, so we should pay for it."
Hearing my words, everyone in the room froze.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on me, filled with anger and shock.
Maria staggered and held onto the wall, her finger pointing at me trembling uncontrollably.
She said, "You're actually going to compensate the culprit? If Nova finds out, she'll be heartbroken."
Ruby, with reddened eyes, also came over and grabbed my hand. "Adeline, what's wrong with you? Why are you defending the person who killed Nova?"
The nearby police officer couldn't help but say, "Adeline, if you have any difficulties, like being threatened, just say it directly. We'll help you."
I ignored everyone and just walked step by step toward Joseph.
Then, under everyone's shocked gaze, I bowed to him and said, "Mr. Nelson, please don't mind Weston's behavior just now. He's just too upset, which is why his words were filled with anger. As for the $20,000 car repair fee you mentioned, I'll transfer it to you shortly. Does that work for you?"
Joseph raised an eyebrow, seemingly satisfied with my attitude.
He tossed the letter of understanding in front of me and said, "Hurry up and sign it, don't delay my meal. Oh, and transfer me an extra 0-00,000 later as compensation for the work I missed running to the police station these past few days."
I agreed without hesitation.
"You're crazy!" Weston trembled with anger, his eyes filled with fury as he stared at me.
He roared, "Adeline, if you dare to sign that letter of understanding or give him a single cent today, we're getting a divorce!"
My hand holding the pen paused for a moment, then I looked up at Weston with a very calm gaze.
I said, "We can get a divorce, but the house and savings must stay with me. You can't take any assets."
"What did you say?" Weston, as if hearing a joke, suddenly raised his voice and said, "You want me to leave without taking any assets? Adeline, do you have a lover out there? Are you doing this on purpose to force me into a divorce, is that it?"
Maria cried and chimed in, "It must be true! Adeline, you’re so heartless. How could you do this to Nova? How could you do this to our family?"
I looked at Weston coldly. "I didn't cheat. If you insist on divorcing me, then you can't take any assets."
At this moment, Ruby walked over, her eyes full of disappointment as she looked at me. "Adeline, in my heart, you've always been someone who values relationships. But now, I really can't understand you anymore. Your actions truly disappoint me."
I ignored Ruby's gaze, then lowered my head and carefully signed my name on the letter of understanding. After that, I took out a bank card from my bag and handed it to Joseph. "There's $40,000 in here, and the password is six zeros. The extra 0-00,000 is my apology to you."
Joseph took the bank card, his smile growing even more smug.
He deliberately waved the bank card at Weston and said with a smile, "See that? Your wife is smarter than you."
Staring at the signed letter of understanding, Weston was completely disappointed.
He closed his eyes, sighed, his voice full of exhaustion and anger.
Weston said, "Adeline, see you in court in three days. I will file for divorce, and I will make sure you can't take any assets."
After speaking, Weston turned and left. Maria followed him, crying, and before stepping out, she shot me a fierce glare.
Ruby gave me one last look, her eyes full of disappointment, then left as well.
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