With the cold breeze blowing past her face, Adina could barely feel the pain. She clenched her fists and spoke, one word at a time. “Earl, what exactly do you want to do?”“I want you to leave the city with me.” Earl stroked her chin. “I’ll let Duke go as long as you come with me.”Adina looked at him. “What if I refuse?”“Refuse? Hmph!” Earl sneered. “I’ll let him meet Hades, then.”He lowered his head and sniffed her neck. “How unpleasant. You smell like Duke.”Adina lowered her gaze. She caught the dagger that slipped out from her sleeves. She raised it and stabbed it towards his neck. He seemed to have expected it long ago, as he quickly took a step back.“You’re digging your own grave, Adina.”His expression turned cold, colder than the winter breeze.“Let’s die together, then.” She raised the dagger and charged forward again.‘It has been about a month, and I’ve had enough of this!‘I rather die fighting with Earl than being terrified all the time. ‘If he’s dead,
Duke put Adina onto the bed. He then sat on the couch beside the bed and watched her in silence. He could already guess what happened, but he did not dare to ask her. Some things could not be answered, even if he posed questions.Daylight was emerging as the bright sun rose from the east. A new day had come. The pain at the back of Adina’s head had gotten worse. She lay on the bed, about to break down. Duke clenched his jaw and looked at his phone. “We were able to spot Earl last night. Indeed, he was just around here. “He changed cars three times, and in the middle of it, we lost track of him. But he’s definitely in Sea City. He couldn’t have gotten far.”His gaze darkened. ‘It’s my fault. I should’ve insisted on following Adina downstairs.‘I’ve only given Earl another chance to meet her… Duke pursed his lips guiltily. He went downstairs to cook a plate of pasta. He then came back upstairs. “Addy, eat up.”“I told you not to talk to me! Get out!”She pulled her h
Not a trace of emotion showed on Duke’s face.His cold gaze swept toward Harold. “You klutz, what would you do if you woke your mommy up?”Melody blinked. “Daddy, I’m not a klutz, can I go see Mommy?”Duke said indifferently, “Naturally, your mommy and I will be going back for the New Year. You don’t have to see her now.”The children’s faces were full of disappointment.George knit his brows together.‘Didn’t Al say that this matter was mostly solved? So we should be able to get in touch with our mother…’Why was their daddy still trying to keep them from seeing their mommy?The confusion in Alden’s eyes grew all the more.He had personally modified the program commands yesterday, so it would be reasonable to say that Mommy should be fine to see them. ‘Why is it still like this?’He looked at Duke.Duke gently shook his head at him.He did not know what orders Earl had given, but he could make a vague guess when he saw how Addy treated the children like they were the plagu
Melody also pounced forward, but Adina avoided her.Adina’s eyes were locked on Alden.But the noise in her mind was growing louder and louder, and it was replaying itself more and more…“Addy…”Duke walked over and held her in his arms.“You haven’t rested yet, I’ll take you upstairs.”Without another word, he led Adina up the stairs, but she forcefully broke free from him.She crouched down in front of Alden and said in a slightly hoarse voice, “Al, Mommy has to make a decision.”As though he had anticipated this, Alden remained calm. “Tell me what it is, Mommy.” “Leave the Winters family.” Every word Adina said sent a pang into her heart, but she soldiered on to finish the sentence. “Don’t live in the Winters family’s mansion anymore, go wherever you wish.”Even though he had anticipated this, Alden was nonetheless shocked by this and was at a loss for words for a long time.“Addy, how could you make this kind of joke to a four-year-old child?” Mabel was incredulous. “Al
“Alden is just the beginning. If you continue defying me, I will have you send all four of your children away. But I care about you so much. How could I let you suffer? Meet me at the Winters family’s mansion now.”Adina was completely stunned.The Winters family’s mansion... where the children were...Why would Earl be there?Before she could turn around and say anything...“Adina, you better not tell Duke about my whereabouts, otherwise, I will chop off Alden’s hand and send it to you as a gift.”Adina shuddered.She did not doubt that Earl would do such a thing.She stood up abruptly.Duke rushed to hold her by the waist. “Addy, what’s wrong?”“I’m going out, don’t follow me.”Adina put on a downy jacket, took the car keys, and left.Duke’s eyes narrowed. He waited for Adina’s car to drive out a hundred meters first before he began tailing her.He made a call as he drove. “Have more people come with me.”“Mr. Winters, Earl’s trail disappeared near the Winters family’s
Mabel’s lips trembled. “Earl, you are twins who share the same blood. Why does it have to be like this?”“If you give me Adina, I’ll give up on the other things,” Earl said.His words shocked Mabel. “Earl, Adina is your sister-in-law!”Earl sneered. “Then pretend you didn’t see me. Go about your business, I’ll be going soon.”“To where?” Mabel queried. Her heart was racing in anxiety again. She was afraid that the two brothers would meet again, afraid that they would be caught in another endless battle…As soon as she finished speaking, there was an urgent screech of a car braking outside the mansion.Earl chuckled. “Adina is here. Bring her to this room, and don’t let the brats suspect anything.”Mabel’s hands were shaking. “Earl, don’t do this—”“I’m fine with not doing it this way. I could also abduct Adina right in front of those brats.” Earl smiled indifferently. “It’s not my problem if I traumatize a few kids.”“Fine, I’ll bring Addy up here.”Mabel gave a deep sigh bef
Mabel sighed quietly, then she turned around and went upstairs.Adina stuffed her hands into her pockets and slowly ascended the stairs.When the bedroom door was pushed open, Adina caught the thick smell of cigarette smoke.Earl was a smoker. Back when she was dealing with Earl every day, she ended up inhaling his secondhand smoke.She waited for the smoke to disperse before she slowly stepped inside.“You can leave.”Earl’s gaze was on Mabel’s face when he spat out those three words emotionlessly.Mabel choked back everything she wanted to say. She did not dare face this son of hers, so she slowly walked out of the room and shut the door.Adina stood near the door. In a cold voice, she said, “What did you call me here for?”Earl’s gaze landed on her hands. He casually said, “Show me your hands.”Adina obeyed and took her hands out of her pockets.“Take off your jacket and toss it at the door,” Earl commanded coldly.Adina did not refuse. She took off the jacket and tossed
With great effort, Mabel walked through the corridor toward the children’s room.She had just placed her hand on the handle when the bedroom door was yanked open. “Mommy… Grandma? Why are you here?”Harold’s face was filled with disappointment.Mabel said softly, “Hal, be good. Your mommy and I have things to discuss. Something just between girls. Melody is a girl, too. Come, Mel, come see mommy with me.Melody was all smiles. She lifted her skirt and ran over to her.But Alden raised his hand to stop her. “Mommy said we can only leave the room if she personally came to get us.”Melody immediately stopped in her tracks. She tilted her head and said, “That’s right! Mommy has to call for me, then I can go.”Mabel was almost unable to keep her smile. “Your mommy told me to bring Melody. If we don’t go now, Mommy will be mad.”Melody lowered her head and put the tips of her index fingers together.The last two times she saw her mommy, she seemed very different. Her voice had no wa