Chapter 102

A heavy silence fell inside the car.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, but Marguerite felt a chill.

She stared at Aaron, her eyes turning red, but instinct kept the tears at bay. She never cried in front of her brothers.

Nancy, however, burst into sobs. "Those damn traffickers... I'll see them in hell!”

As Aaron recounted his story, he methodically tore a tissue into tiny pieces in his hands.

He was seven when he was taken, and ten by the time he finally managed to escape.

"We ran all night just to get out of that isolated village. I had to teach Jenny how to act like a normal adult, as if she were just a woman out for a walk with her kid. We stumbled our way through it all and finally made it back to Northpine."

Marguerite had always known Aaron was brilliant; his IQ was actually higher than Theobald's and Simon's. It wasn't surprising that he'd been able to engineer his own rescue with such composure.

Taking a deep breath, Marguerite said, “Once you were back in Northpine, you should have gone to Theobald. He would have taken care of you and Jenny." Her tone wasn't accusatory. Of course, she couldn't blame herself for Aaron's suffering— she had been dead at the time, completely powerless. And could she blame Theobald? No, it wasn't his fault either. The blame lay squarely with the heartless traffickers and the people who bought them.

"I didn't want Jenny and me to be a burden on Theobald and Simon," Aaron said, his voice low. He had gotten Jenny out; she was his responsibility, not theirs. "Luckily, the cost of living in the slums was low. I could apply for student aid, and I picked up odd jobs here and there. It was enough to support us." He tried to sound casual.

Marguerite's long, dark lashes swept down, casting a shadow on her cheeks. She had George's charitable foundation to thank for that. Otherwise, she couldn't imagine how Aaron would have survived while caring for a mentally fragile Jenny.

"I found you, so why did you run again?" Marguerite asked, a hint of anger creeping back into her voice. "Is there something you can't tell me?" If he had just come home with her two days ago, they wouldn't have been attacked last night.

Aaron looked up at the passenger seat. "The man who bought us never stopped looking for me and Jenny. I ran into him once in Northpine before I saw you. I got away, but I knew he wouldn't give up."

"He's a vicious man, capable of anything. I was afraid he'd come after you, Marguerite. I couldn't risk it."

Marguerite was an innocent

bystander. That's why he had run. Unfortunately, the man had found them last night. Luckily, Aaron was bigge now and had managed to fight him off before he could kill them, but they had to move immediately. That man wouldn't just let it go. Calling the police was useless; the cops in the slums were already overwhelmed Even if the man was arrested, he'd just come back for them once he was out. Finding a new place in the middle of the night was impossible, so they had taken shelter under a bridge. He never expected Marguerite to find them there.

"Maggie, I'm so sorry!" Aaron hung his head, and a tear splashed onto the car seat.

Marguerite's anger completely

vanished. She reached back from

the passenger seat and ruffled his hair. "You don't have to be sorry. You're a brave responsible, and Incredibly strong kid."

Those who are too sensible are destined to bear the heaviest burdens.

Hearing Marguerite's praise, Aaron's nose stung, and he fought the urge to break down completely.

Jenny, though pale and weak, lifted her chin with pride. "That's right! Our Aaron is a good boy! He even wipes his own butt after he poops!”

Nancy bit her lip so hard it hurt, the thought of her bank account balance the only thing stopping her from bursting out laughing.

When they arrived at the hospital, Aaron helped Jenny out of the car.

Nancy frowned. "That A-lister, Joshua, followed us!"

Marguerite had been so focused on Aaron that she hadn't noticed.

Joshua parked his car, put on sunglasses and a mask, and walked over to them. "I can help you with registration, anything you need. I just want to do something for you Marguerite: Please don't refuse me.

The man cut a handsome figure in the sunlight, his voice laced with a deep, theatrical affection.

Nancy and Aaron both scowled. There was something undeniably moving about a huge movie star acting so humbly.

Marguerite, however, just rolled her eyes, planted her hands on her hips, and shrieked, "Oh my God! Isn't that Joshua? Joshua is here!"