My Mommy’s Brave Heart

Chapter 8

crying so much? What happened, are you mourning someone’s passing?” Leo Gardner, her six-year-old son, began to cry harder. “You’re horrible, Mommy! You’re a witch! I hate you the most!” Sophia was already in a bad mood, so when her son said that he hated her in public, she got so angry that she wanted to slap him again. The atmosphere in the living room became hostile from their actions. Madam Xavier’s expression turned dark, and she said, “Addy, once you sign the contract, come to my study room.” Adina nodded. She signed her name on the contract and bent down to speak to her boy. “Alden, take good care of your sister. I’ll be back soon.” Alden nodded in a mature manner and said, “I’ll take care of Mel, Mommy. Don’t worry.” Naturally, Adina was not worried. Alden had grown up to be a sensible boy in the last year and picked up the job of taking care of Melody. Adina could not take good care of them by herself because she had to leave to earn money. On days that she worked during the day, Alden took good care of Melody at home. Even though he was only four years old, he had already learned how to be a good older brother. Adina followed Madam Xavier into the study room, where her grandmother sat down, and squatted down by her chair. “Addy, you must have lived a hard life over the past four years.” Madam Xavier took Adina’s hand and let out a long sigh. “I thought that you hid yourself out of stubbornness after you left your house four years ago. I never thought that Aaron would lock you up for eight whole months! Addy, after the Daugherty family proclaimed you dead, all of your shares were transferred to your half-sister, but since you came back alive now, the Daugherty family must return the shares to you!” Adina leaned against Madam Xavier’s knee. Her grandmother still loved her as she did when she was young. Part of the reason why Adina brought Melody back was because she hoped that the girl could experience more love. Her grandmother would surely love Melody just like she loved her. She whispered, “Grandmother, you’re already eighty-three years old. You shouldn’t bother about these things. I will retrieve what belongs to me by my own hands. Don’t worry. I’m no longer the ignorant lady of the Daugherty family. I will seek justice for myself and my children who died in vain…” The image of the two blue and black babies lying on the warehouse’s floor rose in her mind. Those