The old man scanned the mother and daughter before him, and in the next second, pulled out a stick of cotton candy, presenting it to Tw. "Hey kiddo, you''re quite the charmer, I like you. So here, this cotton candy''s on me." Tw instinctively reached out for it. But then she remembered her mom''s warning about not epting treats from strangers. She withdrew her hand, "Thanks, but no thanks."


    The old man, taken by her politeness, insisted, "Come on, take it. I made it myself, as a little reward for well-behaved and smart kids like you."


    Tw, unable to resist the temptation, finally gave in, "Thank you."


    She held the cotton candy as if it were a precious treasure.


    Hestia handed the old man a couple of dors, "Thank you for your kindness, this is all I have."


    The old man refused the money, "No need, youngdy."


    He then handed her another stick, "I can see life hasn''t been easy for you, raising a child on your own. Everyone deserves a sweet treat now and then."


    Hestia, holding the cotton candy in one hand and the two dors in the other, was suddenly reminded of someone from her past who used to look out for her.


    As a bus sped past, Hestia caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window and felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.


    ...


    Nathan arrived in Hestia''s town the following evening, apanied by a few bodyguards, asking around for her whereabouts.


    By chance, the local clinic''s doctor heard them asking about Hestia and feared she might be in trouble.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Who are you guys? What do you want with Hestia?" the doctor inquired.


    "We''re friends of Hestia," they replied.


    The doctor, somewhat reassured they weren''t troublemakers but still cautious, was about to say more when amotion erupted from a nearby alley.


    "Oh no, not again!" he eximed, rushing towards Hestia''s home, with Nathan and his men following.


    Before they even reached the door, the sound of a man''s angry shouts filled the air.


    "Stop, just stop-"


    The doctor burst in, "Merrick, have you no shame? Can''t you stop hitting your wife for once?"


    Merrick, fueled by rage, retorted, "This wench has been flirting around; she deserves it!"


    Hestia sat on the floor, a mess, clutching a stick of cotton candy, while Tw stood by, her face pale and streaked with tears.


    Merrick, growing even angrier, was about to strike again when Nathan swiftly kicked him down, restraining him, "Hitting a woman? What kind of man does that make you?" "Damn it, let me go-" Merrick cursed, writhing in pain.


    Hestia looked on, horrified, as Nathan firmly subdued Merrick, who then used her, "Oh, so you''ve brought your lover home now, have you? Got no shame?"


    With Merrick finally quiet, Nathan, disgusted, wiped his hands with a tissue and approached Hestia, "Miss Hestia, I''m Nathan, from Craneville."


    The mention of Craneville made Hestia tense up, "What do you want with me?"


    "We''re here on behalf of the Lte family," Nathan exined.


    "Hestia,e with us to Craneville," Nathan said, noting the striking resemnce yet contrasting demeanor between her and Brittany, the spirited woman he remembered. Hestia hesitated, her lips pressed tightly together.


    "Rest assured, we''ll ensure your safety. You don''t want to live like this forever, do you?" Nathan''s gaze was unwavering.


    The doctor, unable to stand by any longer, urged, "Go with them, Hestia. This is no life for you."


    Hestia, holding Tw, finally agreed, "I''ll go."


    As Merrick continued to struggle, Nathan silenced him with a firm kick. "Shut it!"


    With Merrick knocked out cold, Hestia was left stunned.


    Nathan extended his hand, "Ms. Bet, if you please "


    Exhaling deeply, Hestia slowly rose, "Thank you."