Chapter 117


    “Thank you, but I’m not tired.”


    Upon forcing out a smile, she leaned back into her seat and stared out the window at the dark night. It


    was as though a heavy rock was weighing on her heart, making it difficult to breathe.


    I’m about to see my child soon. I wonder if he is doing well… And what if, he refuses to acknowledge


    me?


    With that thought in mind, there was no way she could sleep in peace.


    After an uneventful six-hour journey, they finally arrived at a small fishing vige.


    The vige was located at the foot of a hill, whereas the narrow path that approached it was nked on


    both sides by ponds. Despite the fact that the sky was still dark, one could see many fishermen busying


    themselves by the ponds with their fishing rods hanging off their shoulders.


    The moment the car entered the vige, a pungent fishy smell instantly stung their senses.


    Knitting her brows, Angeline covered her nose by reflex as she observed the environment her child


    grew up in.


    “We’re here. Let’s get out of the car.”


    Just when she was lost in a daze, Jonathan stopped their car in front of a hut.


    The hut was small, while its surroundings were dirty. At the main gate, they could see a goat pen built


    from rocks. A dog, tied to a barn where corn was stored, began to bark fiercely at them.


    Overwhelmed by the environment, the frightened Angeline hid behind Jonathan’s back.


    “There’s nothing to be afraid.”


    He picked up a rock and threw it at the dog, and it quickly stopped barking out of fear.


    However, when the rock struck the corn barn, the loud bang that ensued alerted the hut’s owner.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Subsequently, a dim yellow light lit up in one of the rooms. From outside the windows, they could see


    the silhouette of ady getting dressed frantically.


    Thedy yelled loudly in the local dialect, “Which of you kids did it? Has your mother not taught you any


    manners?”


    Soon, she emerged from the door and gave Angeline and Jonathan a curious look before asking,


    “What are you doing here? Is there something you want?”


    The sight of thedy’s wrinkled face caused the emotions within Angeline to rage. If it weren’t for the


    lady, she wouldn’t have been separated from her child for so many years.


    Unable to hold herself back any longer, she attempted to speak.


    “May I know if you’re Azura Green?”


    As Jonathan’s voice preempted her, she felt him grab her arm and pull her back.


    Jolted back to her senses by his gesture, Angeline clenched her fists in seething anger.


    That’s right. Acting hastily isn’t going to solve anything. I have to face the situation calmly.


    “How do you know my name?” Azura was shocked, her mouth agape.


    Nodding in acknowledgment, Jonathan shed a gentle smile at her. “Don’t be afraid. I know who you


    are because I’m a distant rtive of yours. Since we have lost contact for many years, I’m sure you


    don’t even remember me.”


    In response, Azura gave him a skeptical look. “Is that so? I really don’t recognize you.”


    “It’s fine. Why don’t we go in and have a chat?” Jonathan suggested with a smile as he shifted his gaze


    to the living room as a hint.


    No sooner had he spoken than Azura clutched her sleeves with a grim expression on her face.


    “Um… that’s not a good idea. Whatever you have to say, you can just say it here.”


    “I see. It’s fine then. Here, I’ve bought you some gifts. Please take them.”


    With that, Jonathan returned to the trunk and brought out some health supplements along with toys for


    a five-year-old child.


    His meticulousness warmed Angeline’s heart, for even she didn’t think of something like that.


    As it wasmon for vigers tock exposure to the outside world, Azura’s eyes lit up at the sight of


    the gifts.


    “T-These gifts are really expensive. You really shouldn’t have.”


    Overwhelmed by excitement, she reached out to receive them with a shy chuckle.


    Unexpectedly, Jonathan pulled the gifts out of her reach before casually suggesting, “Hold on. I heard


    my mom mention that your child is turning five soon. Since I have not seen him before and brought him


    some toys, I’m sure it isn’t too much for him toe out and greet me?”


    Azura responded with a scowl as she replied in a frosty tone, “What are you babbling about? Since


    when do I have a child?”


    “But I heard your neighbor mention that you brought a child to the tuck shop just the day before. He


    even said that it was a boy.”


    Jonathan’s nonchnt voice carried with it a haunting tone, causing Azura to stagger back reflexively.


    Giving him a wary and resentful stare, Azura bellowed, “Stop that nonsense of yours. What child are


    you talking about? I have never given birth before. You must have gotten the wrong person, so off you


    go now.”


    She was so agitated that the gifts didn’t interest her anymore. Instead, all she wanted now was for


    them to leave.


    Meanwhile, when Angeline—who was silent throughout the exchange—looked up, she clearly saw the


    laundry of a child hanging on the drying rack. Moreover, there was a worn-out toy car left at the main


    door, and the rope inside was clearly used to tie a child.


    From the many visible clues, it was evident that there was a child in Azura’s home.


    Why is she denying it? Is it because she abused her son?


    As her imagination began to run wild, she felt a chill shoot through her body as an indescribable pain


    filled her heart.


    If her rational mind hadn’t held her back, she would have lunged forward and ripped Azura apart.


    Having lost herposure, she screamed, “You’re lying! Do you know that child trafficking is a crime in


    this country that is punishable by at least ten years of prison?”


    Jonathan had wanted to stop Angeline but he was already toote.


    Angeline’s words had clearly struck a nerve with Azura as thetter grabbed a broom and thrust it in


    Angeline’s direction.


    “Get lost! Don’t you dare scare me! Just because I’m from a small vige doesn’t mean I can’t see


    through your tricks!”


    Angeline froze on the spot. If Jonathan hadn’t pulled her back in time, she would have borne the brunt


    of the strike.


    At that moment, a man’s bellow came from inside the house. “B*tch! What are you shouting for? Quit


    embarrassing yourself ande back in here!”


    Terrified, Azura dropped the broom she was holding. Finally, she shot them a re before hurrying


    back into the house.


    The sudden change of events threw Angeline and Jonathan’s ns into disarray, for they hadn’t


    expected to be undermined this way.


    Through the house window, Angeline could see a man, beer bottle in hand, grabbing Angeline’s hair


    and smashing her against the wall.


    “You b*tch! It’s all your fault for bringing us this little burden. He’s the reason why I lost in cards again!”


    As Azura’s agonized screams rang out amidst the beating, the outraged Angeline took a step forward.


    “What are you trying to do?”


    Jonathan held her back.


    “I’m going in. She might be killed at the rate this is going.”


    “No. She would’ve long been dead if that was going to happen. You wouldn’t even have the opportunity


    to interfere.”


    Wearing a sullen expression, Jonathan exined, “I learned from the vigers that Azura’s husband is


    a gambling addict who turns to violence whenever he loses money. He’s capable of anything once his


    temper res. Hence, it would be best for us to leave for now.”


    His words caused tears of desperation to well up in Angeline’s eyes.


    “I refuse to go back. I want to stay here.”