Chapter 5
Marcus turned to look at Brenda, clear irritation darkening his features.
“Why is he saying you bullied his brother?”
Brenda’s expression shifted instantly, her face softening into an innocent mask.
“How could I possibly bully a child? It was his brother who thought I looked like some rich lady and tried to pull a scam on me. If you don’t believe me, ask my agent.”
She let out a delicate sigh, her tone dripping with disdain. “That kid learned to lie so young. His parents aren’t any better. Children like that always have rotten parents.”
If you ask me, don’t even bother talking to his family. Just throw the lot of them in jail for life. Let them rot here. That’ll teach them a lesson.”
Marcus cast her a cold glance, his eyes full of quiet loathing. He didn’t bother to reply.
Meanwhile, Jacob had already rejoined Bertha.
Bertha had no idea what had happened at the train station or that Jacob had caused such a stir. When she saw
im racing back to her, her face was tight with worry.
Jacob, where did you run off to? Mommy’s been looking everywhere for you.”
acob took one look at her anxious face and knew immediately that his mommy hadn’t heard a word about the
commotion.
His eyes crinkled, a mischievous smile lighting his face.
Don’t worry, Mommy. It’s my first time here, so I was just curious and went to look around. Mommy, this olace is so lively!”
Of course it is,” Bertha said, exhaling a tense breath. “This is one of the biggest cities. But there are all kinds of people here. You mustn’t run off again. What if someone tried to snatch you? What would Mommy and your
brothers do?”
Jacob patted his small chest, standing up straighter.
Relax, Mommy. If any kidnappers showed up, you’d better worry about them instead. Don’t you know who my mommy is? I’m way too smart to get tricked by bad guys!”
“You and that cheeky mouth.” Bertha tried to sound stern, but her face was soft with affection.
Jacob leaned against her, coaxing her gently. “Come on, Mommy, don’t be upset. See? I’m back safe and sound.
go find something good to eat. My stomach’s flat. I bet Alfred and Ethan are starving too.‘
Let’s
But deep down, Jacob was worried that awful woman from before really would come looking for them and make Mommy angry.
Bertha’s smile finally returned, her expression brightening. “Alright, sweetheart. Mommy will take you all to get something delicious.”
“Yes!” All three boys nodded in unison, their little faces serious.
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Alfred stepped up to take the rolling suitcase from Bertha’s hand. “Mommy, let
carry
Jacob quickly reached for her backpack. “Lady, leave the heavy lifting to the gentlemen.”
Ethan stretched out his small hand. “Mommy, I hold you.”
this.”
Surrounded by her boys, Bertha looked every bit the cherished princess. Her smile deepened, and her heart felt impossibly full as she took Ethan’s tiny hand and led them all away from the train station.
No one noticed the pair of eyes watching them from a short distance away.
Though the man was smiling, the expression on his face, was eerie.
Dragging all their luggage to a restaurant would have been too much, so Bertha decided to find a cheap hotel hear the station to stay the night.
She hadn’t started working yet and didn’t have much money, so she couldn’t afford any fancy hotels.
Her plan was to finalize her divorce from Marcus, settle the children’s paperwork, and leave Los Angeles. She’d ind some warmer city to start over in and look for a job.
Mommy, are we really staying here tonight?” Alfred asked quietly.
Bertha knew Alfred had always been fussy about cleanliness, and he probably didn’t like the look of the place. he bent down to reassure him.
Mommy doesn’t have a lot of money right now, sweetheart. I’m sorry this place isn’t nicer. But don’t worry. I’ll lean everything up, and we’ll put on our own sheets and blankets. We won’t be here long. As soon as Mommy ets everything sorted, we’ll move somewhere better.”
Alfred thought about the billions sitting in his own accounts and felt a helpless ache.
His mommy was wonderful in every way, except she was just a bit…silly.
Two years ago,
he’d brought her the first money he ever earned, twenty thousand dollars. Mommy had stared at the bills in shock, frozen on the spot.
She refused to believe a child could make that much so easily. She was convinced it was some elaborate new
cam by traffickers, that the cash was just bait to steal him away.
For days, she couldn’t sleep. She was so worried she forgot how to smile.
Later, when he made his second fortune, a whopping 160 thousand dollars.
He thought about telling her but lost his nerve. He was afraid she’d start imagining terrible things again. The more he earned, the more he kept it hidden away in the bank, with no chance to spend it.
It was only when he saw how empty her wallet was before they left the mountain that he’d secretly asked Jacob to slip her 800 dollars and claim she’d won it in a raffle at the grocery store.
Looking at his sweet, clueless mommy, Alfred sighed softly and reached for her hand.
“Don’t worry about it, Mommy. I was just asking. I don’t mind at all. As long as I’m with you, I’m happy wherever we stay.”
Bertha’s lips curved in a tender smile.
< Chapter 5
“Good boy, Alfred. You’ll see. Mommy will work hard so we can have a good life soon.”
“Mommy, you can do it!”
“You’re the best, Mommy!”
Jacob and Ethan joined in, cheering her on.
Bertha’s smile grew even brighter.
“Alright then. Let’s get our things inside, and then we’ll go have dinner.”
“Yes!”
After they finished eating, the three boys went to the bathroom to wash up while Bertha stayed behind to change the sheets.
A sudden knock sounded at the door.
Menu
Bertha thought it must be someone from the front desk. She pulled the door open with a polite smile. “Can I help you?”
Take her.”
Before she could react, the man in front gave a curt command, and two men in black surged forward to seize
ner.
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Chapter 6
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
