LOOK MUMMY, I FOUND HIM

herself, forcing a small, hopeful smile. "This is my third interview today," she muttered, her words filled with exhaustion. "If I fail a

sed to make you proud in her studies. The least I can do is keep trying for her." But deep down, she knew that this wasn't some grand achievement-this was just the bare minimum. C

hing Sakura had endured because of her. Growing up without a father, living in inhumane conditions, getting by on scraps, and even

ns and smarts will." With a determined breath, she pushed open the door and walked into the immaculate lobby of the buildin

. "Good morning," she greet

I help you?" the receptionist

direct me to the right place?" Asuka as

e hall, take a right, and you'll see an office with 'D

offering a grateful smile befor

s voice called out before

back, surpr

oment before asking, "Are you from a

g her background. "I'm mixed. I spent my childhood i

lied, her tone light. "Well, I won't hold you

smiling once more befor

suka's name on it. She flipped it open, skimming through the contents. "Asuka Sim, twenty-two years old and already a six-year-old kid?" She chuckled under her breath. "W

ief washed over her when she saw the name Director Sean etched on a large, polished door. "Okay

ame the voic

ng in her chest. "Good morning, sir," she said,

," Director Sean gestured towa

nervously taking her seat,

ent," Director Sean said. "I always

e, even as her anxiety spiked. "That

woman entered-Asuka's eyes widened in surprise. It was the sam

ng woman greeted coolly, tak

faltering as she processed the sudden shif

r?" Director Sean asked

coldly, her earlier warmth completely

th a six-year-old child. You barely managed to graduate from high school, and from the looks of it, you don't even know who the father is," she said, her eyes scanning Asuka from head to toe with thinly veiled disdain. "You

a brief moment, that she had met someone kind earlier, but now it was clear-this was no

ected gently, "can we please

Nina shot back. "She

ob..." Director Se

ogance. She turned back to Asuka. "Miss Asuka, I'm twenty years old, with four degrees and a 4.95 GPA. So, let's be real here. You're out o

older across the desk and stood up, walkin

otions threatening to overwhelm her. She swallowed

envelope. "Take this. It's a thousand dolla

between her need for money and her

re still hiring for a cleaner? I've spent fifty thousand dollars

envelope. "Thank you," she said quietly,

. She hurried to a nearby public restroom, not wanting to cry in the street.

pered to herself, her voice breaking

ura from school. Wiping her tears, she straightened her clothes an

time to see her daughter playing with two friends. Asuka forced

uealed, running to her and wrap

d, managing a genuine smile

kura groaned

"I'm sure it w

insisted, burying her fac

d the top of her head. "Say go

oodbye, comrades! Your captain needs some

cheered in u

rrow, you'll do your homework, go to bed early, get

grabbing her mother's

, Sakura asked, "How we

ed. "They wer

the job, right?" Sakura asked, her

, I didn't. But I made a

her face, but her eyes still held

ura added, "I think I'll just head to bed early ton

. "How? You've been home

sly grin. "I

. "Well, aren

eeky. I just know I won't be able to do it later. You didn't pay the

words. She knew she had tried her best, but it didn't

"It's okay, Mum. I know you're trying. But

ks, caught off guard. "Di

in a better place if I wasn't here, if I hadn't been born. You're still so young. You should be living a he

welled up in her eyes as she knelt down to be at eye level with

ice firm but filled with love. "Those thought

. "Mum, you've lied to me before, and this... this feels like

here, heartbroken and at a loss for words, watching her little