Reborn From Ashes novel Chapter 7

"Get some rest. I'll help your mom clean up," James said with a warm smile and stood up.

However, he immediately realized his mistake of referring to Serena as Hayden's "mom".

He shared a glance with Hayden and smiled bitterly without explaining further.

Hayden's heart felt strange. He didn't think that James had said anything wrong.

James took the first-aid kit and left the living room. After putting it away, he headed to the kitchen.

Serena was heating some oil in a pan. Her expression was blank, as if she was lost in thought.

"You seem distracted. Don't think too much about it. You weren't like this even when we left the capital," James remarked lightly.

"I know how strong Hayden is. He wouldn't have come here unless he's really been mistreated by the Sterlings." Serena sighed softly and pursed her lips.

"I could sense that too. But he's not willing to say anything. We can't force him to talk, can we?" James replied helplessly.

The two of them sighed together, feeling heavy-hearted.

Silence filled the kitchen, and the only sounds came from the stove.

"This makes me furious! We never laid a hand on him when we raised him. What gives the Sterlings the right to do so?

"If they push me any further, I won't care even if they're the Sterlings! I'll make sure to get justice for Hayden! Do they really think I'll be afraid of them?"

James clenched his fists, and his eyes flashed with anger. He seemed to have really made up his mind to take action.

"Calm down. He didn't say that they had done anything to him. We can't say for sure what had really happened," Serena urged when she saw James getting riled up.

James nodded and fell silent. But his face remained clouded with fury.

"Maybe we can talk to him over the meal later and see if he opens up about how his head got injured," Serena suggested cautiously.

"Alright," James agreed and nodded. Then, he clicked his tongue and added, "But even if the Sterlings are responsible, who are we to interfere?"

A heavy silence settled between them once again.

After all, they were only Hayden's foster parents. How could they meddle in the affairs of his biological family?

"But did you see his wound? It was so deep. If it were worse, it could have cracked his skull! If he was robbed by a stranger, then that's that. But if it was the Sterlings, it would mean that he has had a bad time there for the past three years!" Serena wiped away her tears, feeling sad.

Then, she glared at James furiously. "This is all your fault! You were the one who agreed to let him go in the first place. Now look where it's gotten him," she accused.

"He made his own choice. I couldn't keep him under my wing forever, could I? But this will be the last time anyone mistreats him. I'll make sure of it," James vowed.

After some time, James and Serena exited the kitchen with a steaming plate of chicken wings, a small dish of salad, and some fries.

They remembered how much Hayden had enjoyed eating Serena's cooking, especially the chicken wings, in the past.

"That looks amazing!" Hayden drooled while looking at the food before him. He had been starving, and he missed the taste of Serena's cooking.

He took a bite of a chicken wing. The taste was just as he remembered.

Hayden devoured the food quickly, feeling grateful and satisfied.

He never thought that he would have the chance to enjoy Serena's cooking again.

"Don't rush. Take your time. There's still plenty. No one's going to take it from you. You're making me think that you've never had a fulfilling meal at the Sterlings." Serena chuckled.

"It's just so good!" Hayden's mouth was full as he replied smilingly.

James' and Serena's heart ached even more when they saw Hayden's reaction. They were now even more convinced that he had not been treated well at the Sterling residence.