Chapter 53
Near the children’s play area below, a woman was tugging at a little girl’s hand and speaking to her with visible impatience. The girl stood with her head lowered, her tiny body hunched as though trying to disappear.
Serena’s heart gave a sudden jolt. She wondered with a frown, ‘That figure looks to much like Alyssa!
The escalator carried Kristy steadily upward, but Serena stopped in her tracks, her eyes locked onto the small figure below.
Kristy, noticing Serena hadn’t followed, quickly turned around and leaned over the railing while asking. “Ser, what’s wrong? Why are you standing there!”
Serena didn’t answer. She suddenly spun around and ran toward the down escalator. Pushing through the crowd, she almost jogged down, weaving her way against the flow of people.
A voice snapped, “Stop it right now. If you keep this up, I’ll just leave you here?”
Alyssa shook her head furiously, trying to pull her hand free from the woman’s tight grip, but the hand only clamped down harder
The woman said again, “I said no. We’re not buying anything. Keep this up, and Mommy will really get angry?
The woman’s voice was harsh, her grip nearly yanking Alyssa’s tiny arm out of its socket “Come on, we’re going home.”
Alyssacred from the sharp pain, while silent tears rolled down her cheeks.
Some people around them passed in a hurry, and others strolled by. They glanced over with disinterest but kept moving. To them, it looked like nothing more than a stubborn child throwing a tantrum with her mother.
Serena’s eyes darted across the scene below, scanning anciously for that little girl. Then she saw a woman aggressively pulling at a little girl’s arm right beside the play area.
After a close watch, Serena found it was really Alyssa.
Serena didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward, grabbed the woman’s wrist, and yanked her hand away.
Startled, the woman turned sharply, glaring at Serena. “What are you doing?”
Serena’s voice was firm. “Ma’am, may ask your relationship with this girl?”
The woman hesitated for a moment and then forced a stiff smile. “I’m her mother. She insisted on getting some toys. I’m just tak
home!
Alyssa’s eyes were brimming with tears as she shook her head desperately. She struggled against the woman’s grip, extending her other hand toward Serena, reaching out with all the strength she had.
Serena pulled Alyssa from that woman’s grip and held Alyssa in her as tightly. “Alyssa, you’re sale now, I’m here,”
Alyssa’s tiny body trembled as she wrapped her arms fightly around Serena’s neck, burying her face in her shoulder.
Seeing that Serena was alone, the woman straightened up and grew bolder. She planted her hands on her hips and snapped with an aggressive tone, *Who the hell are you? Why are you snatching my daughter? Let her go, or I’ll call the police.”
“Is that so?” Serena replied calmly. “I think she looks terrified of you.”
“This is none of your business. She’s just throwing a tantrum,” the woman shot back,
Serena snapped, “Drop your act. You look more like a kidnappe
Just then, Kristy came running up, slightly out of breath. She supported herself with one hand on her kids and asked,
1/2
Wed, 10.
Chapter 53
When the woman saw Kristy arrive, she instantly turned nervous and turned to fee
But Serena was quicker. She caught the woman’s arm in a firm grip and shouted, “Don’t even think aboutit Kristy, call the police!”
Realizing what was happening Kristy immediately took out her phone and dialed 911. “We have a suspected child abduction here
Seeing that the situation was slipping out of control, the woman began sheleking and throwing herself on the ground. “Help! Somebody help mil They’re trying to take my child!”
Onlookers started murmuring. Same frowned at Serena, muttering about her meddling in someone else’s business
But Serena paid them no mind. She only tightened her hold on Alyssa, shielding her from everything
Within minutes, police officers arrived and restrained the woman. Only then did Serena finally let out a breath of relief. She looked down at Alyssa, who had clearly been deeply frightened. She clung to Serena like a lifeline, her small body trembling nonstop.
Serena whispered, “It’s over now. You’re safe,
sweetie.”
