Chapter 81 The Brave Little Brother
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As Jimmy recounted his past, the tissue in his hand was torn into smaller and smaller pieces.
He had been seven when he was trafficked. By the time he escaped, he was already ten.
“We ran the whole night to get out of that mountain village. I’d coached Jenn beforehand to act like a normal adult just taking a kid out to play. We stumbled all the way back to Ashford.”
Stella had always known Louis was brilliant–his IQ even surpassed Ethan’s and Xavier’s.
It wasn’t surprising that he’d been able to calmly save himself.
Taking a deep breath, Stella said, “Once you got back to Ashford, you should’ve gone to Ethan. He wouldn’t have turned his back on you and Jenn.”
Her tone was calm–not accusatory.
Of course she didn’t blame herself for what happened to Louis. She had already died by then. She couldn’t have done anything.
Was it Ethan’s fault?
No. This wasn’t on him either.
The ones truly at fault were the soulless traffickers and the buyers who enabled them.
“I didn’t want Jenn and me to become a burden to Ethan and Xavier,” Jimmy said softly.
Jenn had come out with him. She was his responsibility, not theirs.
“Luckily, the cost of living in the slums is low. I could get a stipend as a student and pick up part–time jobs. It was enough to support both of us.”
His tone relaxed a little as he said it.
Stella’s long lashes lowered, casting a shadow across her eyelids.
It really was thanks to Nathan’s charitable foundation. Without it, she didn’t know how Louis would have managed to survive with a mentally ill Jenn in tow.
“I already found you, so why’d you run?” Stella still felt a bit mad. “What could possibly be so
bad
you couldn’t tell me?”
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Chapter 81 The Brave Little Brother
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If he’d just come home with her the other day, they wouldn’t have been attacked last night!
Jimmy looked up at the passenger seat. “That man never gave up looking for me and Jenn. Before I met you, I ran into him once in Ashford. I got away, but I knew he’d never stop coming after us.”
“He’s vicious–capable of anything. I was scared he’d hurt you too. I couldn’t take that chance.”
Stella was innocent.
So he ran.
Unfortunately, that man found them again last night.
Luckily, Jimmy was older now. He hadn’t let that man beat them to death. He’d fought back and driven him off.
But they had to move out immediately. That man wouldn’t let this go.
Calling the police was pointless. Even if the slum cops responded–which was doubtful-
Even if he were detained, he’d just come back and do it again.
It was the middle of the night, and housing was hard to find. The only place left was under the bridge.
He hadn’t expected Stella to find them there anyway.
“I’m sorry.” Jimmy bowed his head. Tears fell, landing on the car seat.
Stella’s anger vanished. She reached from the passenger seat and gently patted Louis’s head. “Don’t apologize. You’re a brave, responsible, thoughtful little champ.”
Those who grow up too fast always carry more weight.
Stella praised him, and Jimmy’s nose stung even worse. He wanted to burst into tears.
Despite her pale face, Jenn lifted her chin proudly. “That’s right! Our Jimmy’s a good boy! He even wipes his own butt!”
Nancy bit her lip hard, trying to suppress a laugh. She thought of her bank account balance to keep from breaking.
When they reached the hospital, Jimmy helped Jenn out of the car.
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Chapter 81 The Brave Little Brother
Nancy frowned. “That idiot Lucas followed us!”
Stella had been so focused on Louis that she hadn’t noticed.
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Lucas parked the car, put on sunglasses and a mask, and walked over to Stella. “I can help with the registration or anything else. I just want to do something for you, Stella. Please don’t turn me away.”
In the sunlight, the man’s figure was perfect, and his voice was tender, almost heartbreakingly
- SO.
Nancy and Jimmy both frowned.
A megastar acting this humble–honestly, it tugged at the heart a little.
But Stella rolled her eyes so hard they nearly flipped over. Hands on her hips, she let out a dramatic shout.
“Wow! Isn’t that Lucas?! Ahhh! Lucas is here!!”
Lucas flinched like her voice had just ruptured his eardrums, stunned for a full second.
Stella’s job done, she retreated and shot a look at Nancy and Jimmy. “Go, now!”
Nancy and Jimmy each took one of Jenn’s shoulders and moved fast.
The hospital parking lot was packed, wide open and easy for voices to carry.
Within seconds, Lucas was surrounded by fans.
“Lucas! It’s really Lucas! Can I take a picture with you?”
“Lucas, do an Instagram video with me! My granddaughter loves you!”
