Chapter 7

"Get some rest. I'll help your mom clean up," James said with a warm smile and stood up. However, he immediately realized his mistake of referring to Serena as Hayden's "mom". He shared a glance with Hayden and smiled bitterly without explaining further. Hayden's heart felt strange. He didn't think that James had said anything wrong. James took the first-aid kit and left the living room. After putting it away, he headed to the kitchen. Serena was heating some oil in a pan. Her expression was blank, as if she was lost in thought. "You seem distracted. Don't think too much about it. You weren't like this even when we left the capital," James remarked lightly. "I know how strong Hayden is. He wouldn't have come here unless he's really been mistreated by the Sterlings." Serena sighed softly and pursed her lips. "I could sense that too. But he's not willing to say anything. We can't force him to talk, can we?" James replied helplessly. The two of them sighed together, feeling heavy-hearted. Silence filled the kitchen, and the only sounds came from the stove. "This makes me furious! We never laid a hand on him when we raised him. What gives the Sterlings the right to do so? "If they push me any further, I won't care even if they're the Sterlings! I'll make sure to get justice for Hayden! Do they really think I'll be afraid of them?" James clenched his fists, and his eyes flashed with anger. He seemed to have really made up his mind to take action. "Calm down. He didn't say that they had done anything to him. We can't say for sure what had really happened," Serena urged when she saw James getting riled up. James nodded and fell silent. But his face remained clouded with fury. "Maybe we can talk to him over the meal later and see if he opens up about how his head got injured," Serena suggested cautiously. "Alright," James agreed and nodded. Then, he clicked his tongue and added, "But even if the Sterlings are responsible, who are we to interfere?" A heavy silence settled between them once again. After all, they were only Hayden's foster parents. How could they meddle in the affairs of his biological family? "But did you see his wound? It was so deep. If it were worse, it could have cracked his skull! If he was robbed by a stranger, then that's that. But if it was the Sterlings, it would mean that he has had a bad time there for the past three years!" Serena wiped away her tears, feeling sad. Then, she glared at James furiously. "This is all your fault! You were the one who agreed to let him go in the first place. Now look where it's gotten him," she accused. "He made his own choice. I couldn't keep him under my wing forever, could I? But this will be the last time anyone mistreats him. I'll make sure of it," James vowed. After some time, James and Serena exited the kitchen with a steaming plate of chicken wings, a small dish of salad, and some fries. They remembered how much Hayden had enjoyed eating Serena's cooking, especially the chicken wings, in the past. "That looks amazing!" Hayden drooled while looking at the food before him. He had been starving, and he missed the taste of Serena's cooking. He took a bite of a chicken wing. The taste was just as he remembered. Hayden devoured the food quickly, feeling grateful and satisfied. He never thought that he would have the chance to enjoy Serena's cooking again. "Don't rush. Take your time. There's still plenty. No one's going to take it from you. You're making me think that you've never had a fulfilling meal at the Sterlings." Serena chuckled. "It's just so good!" Hayden's mouth was full as he replied smilingly. James' and Serena's heart ached even more when they saw Hayden's reaction. They were now even more convinced that he had not been treated well at the Sterling residence. They stopped talking and watched silently as Hayden finished his meal. It had been a long time since the last time they had shared a loving moment with him. Once Hayden was done with his meal, Serena poured him a bowl of soup. He downed it in large gulps and let out a satisfying sigh. The warmth of the soup eased the pain of his wounds. "So, Hayden, what really happened with the Sterlings?" Serena asked gently with concern. The genuine care in her eyes touched Hayden's heart. He decided not to hold back and told them everything—the events at the Sterling residence and the mistreatment he had endured there for the past three years. James and Serena were furious upon listening to what he shared. "Those horrible people! Are they even human? How could they do this to you? You're their family! How could they belittle you and treat you like an outsider when you share the same blood? How… How could they even treat you like that?" Serena felt so frustrated that her lips were trembling uncontrollably. Her heart ached with deep sorrow. Fury filled every corner of the living room. "They're not worth thinking about anymore. I've cut ties with that family," Hayden comforted her while taking out a document. "I had Francis sign this agreement of severing our family ties before I left. They won't bother me anymore." James and Serena stared wide-eyed at the paper. Then, they looked at each other in disbelief. Were the Sterlings willing to go that far? "They didn't force you to sign this, did they?" James asked. "No. It was my choice," Hayden reassured him with a smile. His expression showed that he was really at peace and free of the burdens of that family. They could feel Hayden's genuine happiness at that moment. "If that's the case, then you'll always have a home here with us from now on. I'll always have your back. They'll never be able to hurt you again!" James said fiercely. "Don't worry. They won't bother me. They're actually glad that I left," Hayden replied with a light chuckle. "Alright. That's enough. Let Hayden get some rest. We'll check the wound again tomorrow. If it looks bad, we'll go to the hospital immediately," Serena said, cutting off the conversation while looking at Hayden dearly. "Right. Go rest up." James nodded in agreement. Serena led Hayden to a bedroom. "This room has always been kept for you. I clean it regularly, so there shouldn't be any dust. You can sleep here in peace. Get some rest, okay?" Serena said. "Okay. Thank you." Hayden nodded. Then, James and Serena left. Alone in the room, Hayden looked around at the surroundings and felt a bit emotional. Nothing had changed. It felt like he had stepped back in time. With the Caldwells, he had his own room, enough food to eat, and the loving care of a family. It was nothing like that with the Sterlings. Hayden laid on the bed and indulged in the comfort of it. His eyelids were heavy, and they started closing as exhaustion overtook him. Quickly, he drifted off to sleep. … Sunlight streamed through the window, and Hayden could feel the warmth of it on his face. At the same time, he felt a weight on him. "Hayden! You're really back!"