Chapter 17 Punishment
She was shocked and furious, of course. Madeline rushed to the men and broke their arms, then she broke two of Phoebe’s ribs. Madeline’s uncle punished Madeline after that, and she left the residence with her kids despite her cousins’ best attempt at dissuasion. Ever since then, she would never leave her kids alone, not even when they were sleeping.
Even so, Buddy spent a long time after that just to heal from his trauma. He would wake up at midnight and cry out for his mother. He would flail his hands and beg some imaginary entity not to catch him.
She was heartbroken, and she cried too. She tried her best to provide a complete family for her kids. She wanted them to have a happy childhood, but her kids were always insecure.
Aldo was slightly better. He was precocious and wise beyond his age. Buddy had a weak constitution, and he had always been a gentler soul compared to his brother. The trauma from almost getting abducted one midnight still lingered on in his soul.
No matter how sleepy he was, he could only sleep in his mother’s arms. If she wasn’t around, he wouldn’t sleep no matter how late it was. She looked at her beautiful son, who was holding her sleeve tightly. She felt heartbroken, but also sweet at the same time. She kissed their foreheads and turned the nightlight off. Then, she pulled them into her embrace and closed her eyes. The kids felt that, and they huddled closer to her. She smiled, and she hugged them tighter.
It was a good night’s sleep. She made a good breakfast for them the next day and only woke them up once she was done.
Her boys never slept in. They always got out of bed the moment she woke them up. They rubbed their sleepy eyes and went to the restroom to wash up without her telling them to.
She loved seeing them rub their sleepy eyes. It was adorable, and she would never get tired of it. Every time she saw them doing that, she had to hold her laugh back, then she would go and hug the kids and kiss them.
They fooled around, and the kids finally woke up. They went through their morning routine and went to have breakfast.
Aldo wasn’t a picky eater; the boy could eat anything. Buddy had a weak stomach, making him a picky eater. Poor Madeline had to make something different for him every day.
She made papaya milkshake, oatmeal, avocado sandwich, and mashed pumpkin for them that morning, and they loved it.
They happily had their breakfast, and Madeline did the dishes with the kids helping her. Just when she was about to wipe her hands dry, someone rang the doorbell.
“I’ll get it, Mom!” Buddy offered his help immediately.
“Slow down, Buddy.” Madeline wiped her hands off quickly and went after him. “Don’t open the door for a stranger.” She was worried Phoebe’s men might come to take him away again. What did I ever do to her? Why does she hate me so much? Phoebe’s niece was barren, and she wanted to take Buddy in as her son. Obviously, Madeline refused, so Phoebe tried to take him away by force, but she didn’t have the chance when Madeline and her sons were sleeping in the same room.
