Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 342

Celestine's hand, holding the broom, trembled slightly. “Weren’t you supposed to be in Silvermere with your grandfather?” she asked coldly.

When Chester went to Silvermere for treatment, Sanderson Fordham had specifically asked her to go as well.

He had told her that both children would be brought to Silvermere to live long-term.

These past few days, she had grown accustomed to life without the children.

Raymond's sudden appearance at her apartment, and in this state, was something she had never imagined.

Raymond sobbed, gasping for air. “Mom, I’m so hungry. Can you give me some food?”

Cynthia peeked out from behind Celestine. “Oh my, Celestine, that poor boy looks so pitiful. Let’s give him something to eat.”

“Okay.” Celestine gently stroked her head in an affectionate gesture.

Watching this, Raymond felt a sharp pang in his heart.

Why was his mother’s first reaction to keep her distance from him? Yet she was so protective of this other girl…

And why did his mother only agree to feed him after the girl suggested it?

He was her real son, after all…

Could it be that his mother really didn't love him anymore?

To this day, he still couldn't believe that Celestine had left them because she had completely lost all hope.

In the back of his mind, Raymond believed that no matter how bad the arguments between his parents got, they would eventually make up.

Celestine opened the door.

Cynthia, already familiar with the place, ran inside to play.

“Come in,” Celestine said, turning her head.

She glanced at Raymond, who stood frozen in place, not daring to move.

His clothes weren’t just dirty and torn; they were also far too small for him.

His short-sleeved shirt and pants were several inches too short, revealing skin that was dark from sun exposure.

Celestine frowned.

She knew children grew quickly, so she always bought their clothes half a size up.

If she tried to reason with him, he would get impatient or just let her words go in one ear and out the other.

He had never been as obedient as he was now.

What on earth had happened?

Only after Raymond had eaten and drank his fill did Celestine patiently begin to ask questions. “So, what exactly happened? How did you get back to the country?”

Raymond set down his cup of water, his eyes evasive. “Mom, I ran away.”

“Ran away?” Celestine’s brow twitched.

“I stole my passport and flew back from Silvermere by myself. I had to transfer so many times, and a scammer took all my money, sob… I walked for so long, with nothing to eat, no food. I finally found you!”

Raymond cried as he spoke, trying to get closer to Celestine. “Mom, I really missed you so much! It was so hard trying to find you!”

Celestine’s expression was complicated.

How could a child so young fly from Silvermere back to the country all by himself?

And not a single adult suspected he was a runaway?