Her Precious Baby

“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 village.

The village was located at the foot of a hill, whereas the narrow path that approached it was flanked 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 village, 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.

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

of a lady getting dressed frantically.

The lady 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 the lady’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 flashed a gentle smile at her. “Don’t be afraid. I know who you are because

I’m a distant relative 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 was common for villagers to lack 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 to come 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 nonchalant 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 her composure, 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 too late.

Angeline’s words had clearly struck a nerve with Azura as the latter 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 village 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 and come back in here!”

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

house.

The sudden change of events threw Angeline and Jonathan’s plans 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 explained, “I learned from the villagers that Azura’s husband is a gambling

addict who turns to violence whenever he loses money. He’s capable of anything once his temper flares. 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.”