SWNOVELS Chapter 1142
The old man scanned the mother and daughter before him, and in the next second, pulled out a stick of cotton candy, presenting it to Twila. "Hey kiddo, you're quite the charmer, I like you. So here, this cotton candy's on me." Twila instinctively reached out for it. But then she remembered her mom's warning about not accepting treats from strangers. She withdrew her hand, "Thanks, but no thanks."
The old man, taken by her politeness, insisted, "Come on, take it. I made it myself, as a little reward for well-behaved and smart kids like you."
Twila, unable to resist the temptation, finally gave in, "Thank you."
She held the cotton candy as if it were a precious treasure.
Hestia handed the old man a couple of dollars, "Thank you for your kindness, this is all I have."
The old man refused the money, "No need, young lady."
He then handed her another stick, "I can see life hasn't been easy for you, raising a child on your own. Everyone deserves a sweet treat now and then."
Hestia, holding the cotton candy in one hand and the two dollars in the other, was suddenly reminded of someone from her past who used to look out for her.
As a bus sped past, Hestia caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window and felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.
...
Nathan arrived in Hestia's town the following evening, accompanied by a few bodyguards, asking around for her whereabouts.
By chance, the local clinic's doctor heard them asking about Hestia and feared she might be in trouble.
"Who are you guys? What do you want with Hestia?" the doctor inquired.
"We're friends of Hestia," they replied.
The doctor, somewhat reassured they weren't troublemakers but still cautious, was about to say more when a commotion erupted from a nearby alley.
"Oh no, not again!" he exclaimed, rushing towards Hestia's home, with Nathan and his men following.
Before they even reached the door, the sound of a man's angry shouts filled the air.
"Stop, just stop-"
The doctor burst in, "Merrick, have you no shame? Can't you stop hitting your wife for once?"
Merrick, fueled by rage, retorted, "This wench has been flirting around; she deserves it!"
Hestia sat on the floor, a mess, clutching a stick of cotton candy, while Twila stood by, her face pale and streaked with tears.
Merrick, growing even angrier, was about to strike again when Nathan swiftly kicked him down, restraining him, "Hitting a woman? What kind of man does that make you?" "Damn it, let me go-" Merrick cursed, writhing in pain.
Hestia looked on, horrified, as Nathan firmly subdued Merrick, who then accused her, "Oh, so you've brought your lover home now, have you? Got no shame?"
With Merrick finally quiet, Nathan, disgusted, wiped his hands with a tissue and approached Hestia, "Miss Hestia, I'm Nathan, from Craneville."
The mention of Craneville made Hestia tense up, "What do you want with me?"
"We're here on behalf of the Lynette family," Nathan explained.
"Hestia, come with us to Craneville," Nathan said, noting the striking resemblance yet contrasting demeanor between her and Brittany, the spirited woman he remembered. Hestia hesitated, her lips pressed tightly together.
"Rest assured, we'll ensure your safety. You don't want to live like this forever, do you?" Nathan's gaze was unwavering.
The doctor, unable to stand by any longer, urged, "Go with them, Hestia. This is no life for you."
Hestia, holding Twila, finally agreed, "I'll go."
As Merrick continued to struggle, Nathan silenced him with a firm kick. "Shut it!"
With Merrick knocked out cold, Hestia was left stunned.
Nathan extended his hand, "Ms. Bennett, if you please "
Exhaling deeply, Hestia slowly rose, "Thank you."