Ch. 488: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 488

Chapter 488

Cooper took the sweet potato, but he didn’t devour it. Instead, he ate slowly, savoring each bite. Norah poured him another glass of water.

"If you're still hungry, I can get more for you."

Cooper shook his head. Norah knew he wasn’t the talkative type.

Not wanting to stare at him while he ate, Norah busied herself tidying up inside the tent. Just then, a horn blared.

It was a rally call.

Something was happening in the army.

What she didn’t expect was for Cooper to put down the sweet potato, stand up straight, and salute her in perfect military form.

Norah was stunned.

He was only five years old—how could he move with such precision? Was he the child of a soldier?

Realizing the significance of what she had just seen, she decided to contact the embassy.

If Cooper was the child of a fallen soldier, he couldn’t be left behind in a foreign land.

"Cooper, you’re not a soldier, but you know how to do that. Who taught you? Do you remember?"

Norah crouched in front of him, her dark eyes shining with curiosity.

Cooper hesitated for a moment before finally answering in a soft voice.

"Grandpa."

Though his response was brief, Norah understood.

His grandfather must be gone. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be out here alone, tattered and covered in dust.

"Get some rest. I need to step out for a while. If I’m not here, don’t wander off, okay?" She gently ruffled his hair.

Cooper nodded obediently.

...

Norah headed straight to the embassy.

She explained everything to the person in charge. "The child you asked me to take in, I learned his name is Cooper. He told me he’s never seen his parents, but when he heard the rally call, he stood at attention in perfect military posture. I asked him who taught him, and he said his grandfather. I’m concerned he might be the child of a fallen soldier. Could you send someone over to speak with him and see if we can find his family? He deserves a stable home."

The embassy agreed to investigate, but the official in charge reminded her, "We can’t make any determinations based on a single conversation. It will take at least three days for us to verify his identity. In the meantime, stay close to him. He seems to trust you. Try to get more details."

"I’ll do my best."

Norah couldn’t make any promises, but now that she had come across this situation, she couldn’t turn a blind eye.

On her way back, she stopped at the market.

Because of the war, all markets had been relocated to underground bomb shelters. They were hot, stuffy, and overcrowded. It took her over two hours just to make her way through. She picked out two sets of clothes for Cooper and stocked up on food.

By the time she returned to the camp, it was already 8 p.m.

From a distance, she saw Cooper standing at the entrance of the tent. The moment he spotted her, he ran straight toward her and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

Norah was surprised. For a child who barely spoke and had just met her, he was incredibly attached.

But then again, she had only helped him because the army found him first. He was Chinese, a child alone in a war zone. That was all there was to it. Nothing more.

"Come inside. I bought something for you."

Norah had also picked up some supplies for the army, though they didn’t really need her help. Still, she often brought food and medicine to the poor and injured. The cooks in the camp knew her well.

Cooper held her hand tightly, his palms sweaty.

"Look, do you like these?" Norah pulled out the clothes. Because white clothes would get dirty too quickly, she had chosen a camouflage set and another in sky blue.

She didn’t want to carry too much, knowing she would be handing Cooper over to the embassy soon. Once they confirmed his identity, she would leave a few things with him.

But Cooper didn’t even look at the clothes. His eyes were red, filled with hesitation and fear.

Norah’s heart ached. She pulled him into a hug. "Don’t be scared. You’re safe here. Our soldiers are different from the ones who hurt you. I promise. Now, try on these clothes."

She helped him change, and though he remained silent, he followed her lead.

Once he was dressed, she lifted him onto the camp bed. "When I go out, don’t wait by the door. It’s dangerous. If you hear anything unusual, hide under the table or the bed and don’t come out. Understand?"

Craggaville wasn’t the same weak country it had been a century ago, but if its enemies decided to attack, they would be relentless. War was unpredictable.

Cooper grabbed her hand tightly.

He shook his head, his eyes filled with quiet determination. He wasn’t afraid of war. What he feared more was losing her.

For some reason, he felt different around Norah. She gave him a sense of warmth and safety that no one else ever had.

Especially when she held him close. He could hear her heartbeat, steady and reassuring.

He didn’t want to let her go. He wanted to stay by her side forever.

Norah gently patted his shoulder. "As long as you’re with me, I’ll keep my word."

Cooper’s expression changed. Panic flashed in his eyes.

"Don’t... don’t leave... I... I want to stay... please..."

His voice was hoarse and unsteady, as if he was struggling to get the words out. His eyes turned misty with unshed tears.

Norah’s heart clenched.

She stroked his hair gently. "Let’s see what the embassy says."

If Cooper had family, she would make sure he reunited with them. But if he didn’t... if he truly had no one...

She wasn’t sure she could turn him away.

"I don’t have... family... You're like... a mom..."

His voice was broken, rough, and filled with longing.

Hearing the word "mom" sent a jolt through Norah’s heart.

For five years, Karina had told her that her child was still alive. For five years, she had hoped.

But Kevin had disappeared. His grave had already been built.

Even after spending all these years in country S, she had never stopped watching, never stopped searching for that child.