On Sunday, Alexander visited Lena after getting the money.At first, he thought about taking her out for a meal, but he understood that things had changed for her. A simple meal wouldn't mean much to her now, considering she must have enjoyed many good meals before.Nevertheless, he was determined to use the money to do something special for her, so he suggested they go somewhere else."Ms. Lena, how about a trip to the amusement park? My treat," Alexander suggested with enthusiasm.Lena was initially hesitant but found it difficult to decline when Alexander was so excited about the idea. She agreed to meet him at the amusement park.Surprisingly, it was Lena's first visit to an amusement park.Despite residing in Centrolis for many years, she had always harbored an instinctive aversion to places like this. She believed that the happiness and laughter found in such places didn't belong to her world, which she felt was confined to the gray, overcast sky.Even during her time with
In Alexander's mind, a faint childhood memory had always lingered. Back then, Lena used to carry him on her back during the day and sing him to sleep at night. Lena was the only beacon of light in his life, where warmth was scarce.Who said that three- or four-year-old kids couldn't remember? That memory stayed with him as he grew up, guiding him to reunite with his sister."Sis, please don't cry, okay? Ms. Lena!"Lena paused for a moment with tears in her eyes before smiling at him.The two of them found a cozy little eatery to sit down, which happened to be the same place where Chris took her for pizza.Julius warmly greeted them. "Oh, what a rare visit! This is...""I'm her younger brother!" Alexander replied swiftly.Lena smiled at him and ordered two pizzas.Julius initially looked a bit skeptical, but then he disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned, he brought two generous servings of pizzas."Dig in!" Lena handed Alexander a plate. "This place is great—reasonable
Lena smiled as she gently stroked Alexander's head. He didn't feel distant from her at all. When he noticed she had more pepperoni slices on her pizza, he playfully snatched them."Hey, why are you taking my pepperoni?" Lena protested."The owner is clearly biased, giving you so much!" Alexander countered."No way, you can't just take them!" Lena chuckled. "These are pepperoni with love from the owner!""I am growing and need to eat more!" Alexander quipped.They chatted and finished their pizzas quickly.Lena considered ordering another one for Alexander when she heard a sweet voice say, "Miss!" just as she was about to get up.Surprised, she turned to see a cute little girl dashing toward her. "Nala?"Nala hugged Lena tightly and nuzzled her head against her.Alexander watched in awe. He had never seen such a pretty little girl with two braids and a puffy princess dress. She resembled the princess they had seen at the amusement park earlier.Could she be a real princess fro
Drake's heart trembled, and he swiftly concealed himself out of sight. Camping out lately hadn't even allowed him a clear glimpse of Persephone.Meanwhile, Bianca's relentless phone calls persisted."Dickinson, what are you up to all day? I asked you to take a child, not divine apples. Is it really that challenging?"'Damn it!' Drake cursed silently. 'Stealing those apples might indeed be easier!'Despite his inner frustrations, he forced a smile. "Heh... Ms. Bianca, t-this isn't a cakewalk! I've been keeping a close watch these days. Those bodyguards are all armed. I'll get shot at if I rashly try to snatch the kid!""You're worthless." Bianca scoffed. "I've greased palms on my end, and you're letting me down!"Drake suppressed his anger and remained silent."Listen up!" Bianca pressed on. "If you can't get this done, forget about your presidential suite and a single cent! Go back to your village and embrace poverty!"Drake's heart sank at the prospect. Going from luxury to po
"Mom, are we eating here again today?""Yes, don't you love the braised bass here?"Nala frowned and pouted. She held back her desire to say, "But I want to eat at home."Despite her young age, she could sense that her mother had been in a bad mood for the past few days. Even her response just now seemed indifferent.Nala couldn't grasp the complexities of the adult world. She didn't understand why things could go from sunny to stormy instantly. All she knew was that whenever someone sent her mother pictures of her dad with other women, Kasey would react this way."Mom..."Nala tugged at Kasey's hand, but the latter suddenly let go and stared tensely at something, hurrying away.Nala was startled, and her doll slipped from her grasp."Mom—""Nala, stay right here and don't move!" Kasey shouted anxiously as she rushed ahead. "Mom will be back in a moment!"Helplessly, Nala stood there, watching her mother's figure gradually disappear.This had happened before. Whenever Kasey
Nala's eyes widened with surprise as she gazed at him."I have something really tasty with me. Are you feeling hungry?" Drake asked.Nala firmly shook her head and started to retreat, but Drake swiftly blocked her path."Hey, don't go. Stay right there!" He held onto her with a tight grip. "Um... Your mom actually sent me to find you!"Nala hesitated for a moment upon hearing it was her mother. "Is it really her?"Drake continued, weaving his tale. "Didn't she just dash off suddenly? She told you to wait here, didn't she?""Yes...""That's correct!" Drake beamed. "Little one, if you leave like this, what if your mom can't find you?""She knows where to find me. I'll just play here for a bit and then head back to the lobby!""Oh..." Drake glanced around. "I know that lobby. I'll take you there!"Nala became wary and cautiously freed herself, stepping back a couple of paces."I'm truly a friend of your mother's. If you don't go back, she'll be anxious when she can't locate you
"Must you interfere in my affairs, you stinky brat?" Drake grumbled, annoyed.Alexander was his son, and he didn't plan to keep secrets from him. In his eyes, they shared the same blood. No matter how much he scolded or disciplined him, he couldn't abandon his own flesh and blood.He opened a drawer and found a pair of scissors, cutting off Nala's braids, which fell to the floor.Alexander was shocked. He wanted to stop his father, but he knew he couldn't match Drake's strength, so he bit his lip and approached him. "Dad, are you really going to sell this girl?""It's not my choice. It's what Bianca wants," Drake said with a frown, instructing Alexander to fetch some of his old clothes from the wardrobe.Alexander brought the clothes and watched as Drake's dirty hands tore at Nala's small dress. He exclaimed, "What are you doing?""You little troublemaker!" Drake glared at him. "Lower your voice. Do you want to expose us?""Dad, you—""I need to change this girl's clothes! Her
Bianca halted, fixated on Chris. He appeared uneasy, isolated in a corner, engrossed in his phone, and occasionally relocating to make calls elsewhere.She quietly trailed him, faintly catching his hushed and anxious words."Have you found her?""Tell them not to worry... If the kidnappers are after money, they'll definitely call!"Her heart raced. 'Kidnappers? Who are they searching for? Is that Lena on the other end?'Suddenly, Toph called out, "Chris, what are you doing?"Bianca concealed herself as Toph dashed over in his usual carefree manner to usher Chris away."My brother couldn't find you anywhere. Why did you come here? Come eat!"As they proceeded, Chris and Toph coincidentally passed by Bianca. Their eyes locked, causing both of them to freeze.Bianca swiftly evaded his gaze and forced a greeting, "Chris...""Eh, Bianca?" Toph inquired, much like Arya, "What are you doing here? My brother didn't invite you, did he?""You..."Bianca's frustration grew, but Toph a