Chapter 5

Madeleine turned her head to see her elder brother, Dane Price, rushing toward her. "Maddy, I didn't get to pick you up from prison yesterday. Where did you go?" Dane was anxiously looking at her, his eyes brimming with tears. He looked at her thin face and choked up, "Maddy, I... I'm so sorry for what happened these five years..." Dane knew that she was imprisoned because she was wronged. But in the trial five years ago, to protect him and her child, she pleaded guilty. "Dane…" Madeleine looked at Dane, her voice choked with emotions. There was so much she wanted to say but didn't know where to start. Five years ago, she lost her parents, her brother, and the person she loved deeply overnight. She lost everything that came with being the daughter of the Landry family. When her child was born prematurely, she experienced heavy bleeding. Those who once loved her didn't care about her life or death anymore, and Matthew, the one who had always been her source of comfort, was nowhere to be found. The only person by her bedside in the hospital was her long-lost biological brother, Dane. It was only at that moment she realized that the only ones left in her world were Dane and her child. "It's okay. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask." "You're out of prison now, so from now on, we can live a good life. Chris is at home waiting for us. He's so smart now. He even knows the day of your release. Yesterday morning, he got up early and wanted to pick you up with me." Dane comforted her. Upon hearing about Chris, all of Madeleine's composure instantly crumbled. She held on to Dane and wept bitterly. For the past five years, she had been living an oppressive life in prison that was not fit for the living. This was her first time crying uncontrollably. Upon seeing this, Dane heaved a sigh and allowed her to lean on his shoulder and cry out loud. He knew Madeleine must have had a tough life these years. When Madeleine got tired from crying and gradually stopped making sounds, he patted her back gently and said affectionately, "Maddy, let's go home." The phrase "go home" instantly warmed Madeleine's heart, which was already devastated. Five years ago, Dane told her that as long as he was there, there was a home. Now, she felt lucky that Dane was still willing to accept her. "Mommy!" At the end of the alley, a little boy stood there and called her, his voice babyish. His clothes were old but very clean. Compared to him, Dane was wearing a mended auto repair shop uniform with a strong smell of engine oil. Madeleine knew that although Dane's life was difficult now, he had given the best to Chris. "Chris..." Madeleine trembled as she called out to the little one. This was the first time she saw her child after five years. She stood nervously at the spot, rubbing her hands vigorously on her body, worried that her dirty hands would dirty Chris. "Mommy..." Chris cried while running toward Madeleine at his full speed with his short legs, then plunged into her arms. "Mommy, Uncle and I went to pick you up yesterday, but we didn't see you. Please don't leave me alone anymore, okay?" Chris whimpered as he nestled himself firmly into Madeleine's arms, holding her tightly. Upon hearing his words, Madeleine held him tightly as tears fell from her eyes. Chris was her life, and she would never have left him if she didn't absolutely have to. "Okay, I will never leave you again," Madeleine responded to him though she didn't fully believe her own words. After all, she didn't know if she would survive after donating her kidney to Abigail. Even if she managed to survive the operation, how much longer could she live? "Madeleine, I knew you'd be here! "Ah... such a touching mother and child scene, it truly moves me," suddenly, Clinton's cold and sarcastic voice came from behind. Startled by his words, Madeleine turned around in fear. She instinctively shielded Chris behind her, nervously asking, "Clinton, h-how come you're here?" "Clinton, what are you trying to do? Maddy has already served five years in prison. Aren't you going to leave her alone?" Dane protected Madeleine, glaring at Clinton with a palpable rage. Clinton laughed. "She went to jail to pay off her debt to the Landry family, but she hasn't paid me back yet. "If she gives me the life of this illegitimate bastard, I might consider leaving her alone." Upon hearing his words, Madeleine turned pale. She knew Clinton was not joking. Overcome with fear, she instantly knelt on the ground, pleading desperately and helplessly, "Clinton, I promise to go through with the surgery, I beg you, don't take me back just yet. Could you give me a few more days? "I just want a few days to spend with my child, only a few. I will go to the hospital immediately after that and undergo the surgery. Please, just give me a few days." "Maddy! Get up! He wouldn't dare to hurt us." Dane looked at Madeleine with sorrow and distress. She was like a white rose kept in a greenhouse in the past, but now... "You think I wouldn't dare do anything to you? Ha-ha..." Upon hearing this, Clinton couldn't help but laugh again. "Dane, are you unaware of the Beach family's influence in Pinebrook?" After Clinton finished speaking, he raised his hand. The next moment, several bodyguards rushed up, and one of them swung a heavy punch at Dane. Being tall and sturdy, Dane, who had been doing manual work on construction sites for years, wasn't a pushover either. But with the overwhelming number of bodyguards, he was quickly at a disadvantage facing five opponents alone. "Stop it... Clinton, I beg you, stop." Crying, Madeleine fell to her knees in front of Clinton, pleading for him to stop. "Do whatever you want with me, just spare my brother, I beg you." "Don't beg him!" Dane yelled uncontrollably. He wanted to save her but couldn't shake off the bodyguards. "Just beat me to death if you can." "So, anything can be done to you?" Clinton grabbed Madeleine's chin, "You really are a cheap one." "Bastard, don't touch my mom!" At this moment, the panicked Chris rushed straight over, biting Clinton's hand. Clinton's eyes darkened as he looked at the child before him, and raised his hand to hit. Upon seeing this, Madeleine quickly stepped in to block and the loud slap landed on her face. She held Chris, staring at Clinton with an angry and alert look, "Don't hurt my son." Clinton's anger intensified. "Madeleine, who exactly is that man? Why are you still protecting his bastard child now?" He hated her for refusing to tell him who the child's father was. Seeing that Madeleine didn't respond, he was even more furious, "Take the two of them away!" "Maddy! Chris......" Dane tried to intervene but was knocked unconscious by a bodyguard. "Dane!" Madeleine cried out, trying to rush over, but was forcibly stuffed into the car. Clinton was right. They couldn't stand up to power. For the rest of their lives, they would be stepped on.