7:39 pm
Chapter 36
Chapter 56
This scene instantly dispelled the doubts in Kayla’s heart.
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She’d mistakenly assumed they were all troublemaking teens, never expecting they were people who’d once been helped by Payton and his mother. And now, they wanted to repay that kindness.
It turned out everything had just been a misunderstanding.
Though those kids looked unruly in their odd clothes, like they were hard to deal with at first glance, their hearts were actually so kind and sincere.
Beneath their tough exteriors, they all had grateful hearts–far more grateful, and kinder than the hypocritically “noble” Marianna and her kind.
Hiding nearby, Kayla listened as the kids talked about how to help Payton and his mother. For a moment, she was also touched.
Payton’s life was poor, but so many people cared about him, which made Kayla a little envious. As for her, apart from her mother’s love, all she had left was money.
In the end, Payton couldn’t turn them down. He pressed his lips tight, clutching the crumpled yet heavy money in his hands, as if he held not just cash, but his mother’s last hope of survival. His voice choked as he thanked them.
After the kids left and Payton went inside, Kayla stepped out from the corner.
She looked at the dim light in the room, but didn’t go forward to knock. Instead, she turned and walked away, heading in the direction the group had gone. On her way, she passed a woman carrying a thermos.
That was Kendra Boyer. Kendra watched Kayla’s retreating figure, then knocked on Payton’s door.
“Kendra, what are you looking at?” Payton asked as he opened the door, noticing Kendra staring toward the intersection.
Kendra turned to him with a smile. “Nothing. Just saw a pretty girl over there. She’s like a doll. I never thought I’d come across such a delicate, beautiful girl in this run–down old neighborhood. I’m curious to know which family she belongs to.”
Payton glanced in the direction Kendra pointed. He only caught a glimpse of a graceful figure, but a faint sense of familiarity welled up in him, as if he’d seen her somewhere before.
“Oh, look at me–rambling about a pretty girl and forgetting why I came!” Kendra said, shaking her head. “Here, I made you some chicken broth. These days, you’ve been juggling taking care of your mom and working to earn money.
“You must not be eating properly. I see you’ve lost so much weight. I don’t have anything special to offer, but I hope you won’t mind.”
Payton pulled his gaze back, looking at the thermos Kendra held out. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he didn’t refuse. He took it and smiled, “Thank you, Kendra.”
Kendra gently patted Payton on the shoulder. “No need for the formalities. We’re neighbors after all. If you hadn’t looked out for my boy, he wouldn’t have been able to go back to school. Who knows, he might’ve ended up hurt by some gangsters somewhere.
“I’ve never forgotten that. Your mom is so kind. Why does this have to happen to her? Anyway, enough of that. Eat while it’s
hot!”
Afraid she’d make Payton upset, Kendra quickly wiped the tears from the corner of her eye and fell silent.
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7:39 pm
Chapter 36
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Kayla quietly followed Yellow Spike while thinking about how to ask him which hospital Payton’s mother was in.
But before she could work it out, Yellow Spike vanished around a corner up ahead.
Kayla became anxious. She hurried her steps, and right as she was on the verge of turning the corner, a shadowy figure burst out of nowhere, causing her to trip and fall to the ground.
Kayla rubbed her sore arm, frowning.
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