The diner was nothing to look at, but the vors that came out of that kitchen were legendary in the neighborhood, a hidden gem serving hearty portions and homely tastes. On a swelteringly hot day, the whirring of an ancient fan did little more than stir the muggy air into a thicker haze, making the heat even more oppressive.


    Kari, in her school uniform, fanned herself, her cheeks flushed from the heat.


    Ronald fetched them both a ss of ice-cold almond milk, infused with a hint of jasmine, offering a fragrant respite from the heat.


    The waitress brought over their orders. Ronald pushed the beef noodle soup towards Kari and started on his veggie bowl, his hunger evident in every bite.


    Kari, though famished, noticed Ronald''sck of meat and offered him half of hers with a sincere, "Here, you need this more."


    Ronald refused, insisting, "You need it, you''re still growing."


    But the generous portion wasn''t even enough for one, let alone two.


    Kari persisted.


    Seeing her stubborn look, Ronald lied, "I''m allergic to beef."


    Kari was skeptical but eventually relented, eating her meal in small bites.


    After finishing, Ronald paid and handed her a fresh ss of almond milk, "Eat up and head back to school. Don''t mind those bullies."


    Instead of heading back to the garage, Ronald biked home, only to find Calista applying cheap makeup, dressed in what was an attempt at a morous outfit, "You''re back."


    Her eyes lit up with hope, "Hurry, get ready. Your father ising to take us back."


    Calista still harbored dreams of the Malones weing them back for a better life.


    Ronald saw through the fantasy, "Mom, those people aren''ting to give us a better life."


    It was likely Mrs. Malone had found them.


    Calista, undeterred and using


    Ronald of naivety, pushed past him, clutching her bag, "You don''t


    vel?ime


    understand anything. Wait here for me to bring you after."


    Ronald tried to stop her, but she locked him inside the house, "Stay put. I''ll be back soon."


    Locked in, with only a barred window forpany, Ronald was used to this imprisonment.


    Calista, once relying on her beauty for money, would lock him up during her nights out and return to drunkenly sob into his shirt,


    mumbling about her loverveling


    Ronald retreated to his room to study, expecting Calista to return soon, humbled.


    But night fell, and she didn''t return.


    The alley outside grew noisy with footsteps. Peering out, Ronald spotted Malone''s security team approaching fast. They were here for them.


    As expected, it wasn''t a rescue by the Malones but a hunt led by Mrs. Malone''s orders.


    "Calista said the brat''s close by, search!"


    The sounds of searching and


    set


    cursing grew louder. Ronald grabbed


    a


    Chen knife, hiding it behind him


    as ast resort.


    The door burst open, "Found him-"


    Ronald kicked the first guard and made a run for it, the knife ready but hidden.


    "After him!"


    Knowing the streets well, Ronald sprinted, but his heart sank as he spotted Kari at the alley''s end, "Brother-"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.