My Mommy’s Brave Heart (Adina and Duke) novel Chapter 4

Four years later…

A fine-dressed man lunged at Adina and pinned her underneath him.

He ripped her clothes off and touched every inch of her skin, but she did not have the strength to push him away.

She tried to see his face, but it was hidden in fog and appeared blurry. She could only see a pair of eyes.

The man’s gaze was as sharp as a hawk’s, and even if they were doing something only couples should do, there were no emotions in his eyes.

It frightened her.

Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat, and she opened her eyes.

“Mommy, did you have a nightmare?” a soft voice asked from right next to her.

It was only at that moment that Adina realized that she had fallen asleep in an airplane and dreamt about the night of her coming-of-age ceremony.

Five years had passed since she was set up by Dew Daugherty back then.

It was something from a long time ago that she had put behind her, so why did she dream of it?

When Adina met her son’s clear eyes, she felt a little embarrassed. “I’m fine. The long flight has just tired me out.”

Alden handed her a warm cup of water. “Mommy, you’ll feel better once you drink it.”

Then, he put a soft cushion behind her back. “You’ll also feel better if you’re comfortable.”

Adina’s heart melted away at his care, and she kissed his cheek. “Alden, the two of you are my greatest blessing in life.”

She then glanced at the girl sleeping quietly at her side, and a satisfied smile bloomed on her face.

Four years ago, she had risked tooth and nail to escape the fire, and in the end, she managed to do it.

Her two children had been born premature and were in danger of dying, so the hospital she went to told her multiple times that she was to prepare for their deaths.

Alden had a stronger body, so they managed to save him, but the doctors gave up on treating Melody.

With no other choice, Adina took her children to another country for treatment.

In the end, Melody managed to survive, but…

While Adina was deep in thought, the girl woke up.

She had beautiful eyes. They were dark and bright, like watery grapes or the stars that hung high in the night sky.

But if anyone took a closer look, they would notice that the girl seemed dazed.

Adina squashed the regret and sadness in her heart before she chuckled and said, “You’re awake, Mel. Would you like milk or water?”

There was no reply.

The girl just stared at the clouds outside the window. Her behavior was as aloof and distant as ever.

Adina pursed her lips.

Melody’s autism was getting worse.

It was one of the reasons why she had suddenly decided to return to the country.

“I’ll get some milk for you, Sis. Here, hold the handle. Drink this way. That’s right. Don’t dirty your shirt.”

Alden handed the milk to Melody and patiently reminded her how to drink it. Even though he received no reply, he still talked to her nonstop.

Adina ruffled her son’s head.

He was the greatest blessing in her life.

If she did not have him around, she did not know whether she could have gotten through the last four years.

“Mommy, if you continue ruffling my hair, it will get messy,” Alden grumbled in displeasure.

Adina laughed. “You’re still young, kiddo, and you’re already vain?”

As the mother and son chatted the time away, the airplane reached Sea City.

Adina took her children to retrieve their luggage, but she was stopped by a commotion in the area ahead.

A boy of no more than five charged into her arms in a panic.

He looked cool with a baseball hat and a suit jacket, and his leather shoes made it clear that he was a son of a rich family.

Adina did not want to get into trouble, so once she helped him to his feet, she took a step backwards.

But the boy held her hand.

“Someone is trying to catch me. If you help me, I’ll do any one thing for you.”