Peter Aria laughed and gently ruffled the young girl's hair, a far-off look in his eyes.
"Uncle Aria?" Claudia Lauwney noticed the man was lost in thought and couldn't help but prompt him.
She was not a fool. She knew the man before her would change her destiny and she was determined to seize this opportunity.
Leaving Claudia's grandmother to Gerard Parker, Claudia packed some clothes into her school bag and followed Peter Aria down the mountain.
By the time they reached the town it was already eight in the evening. Peter Aria took them to a hotel. After settling them in, he stepped out to take a phone call.
The call was from Gabriella Linggo at the hospital. Gabriella couldn't hold on for much longer, and for the past month, machines had been keeping her alive.
"Mr. Aria, have you seen the girl?"
"I have."
"In the past, you could tell at a glance whether a child was your daughter or not. And this child?"
Peter Aria fell silent, and after awhile, he said: "She's not."