hapter 318


    Hayes kept shedding tears. He huddled in a corner, clutching his knees tightly, one hand stifling his mouth. He was temfied his sobbing would be heard by his mom, causing her to dislike him even more.


    <b>He </b>didn’t mean to hide and make everyone worry. It was just that his older brother, Manley, would hit him every time he returned home, forcing Hayes to hide.


    He intended toe out once his parents were home. However, he overheard them saying they didn’t love him, and the knowledge hurt him deeply


    He couldn’t understand why Yuna hated him so much. Was it because he identally broke her antique vase <b>a </b>year ago? But he had <b>already </b>been severely punished by Yuna for that.


    Hayes <b>couldn’t </b>shake the confusion.


    Ever since that incident, Hayes realized no matter what he did, Yuna always ignored him. In her eyes, it seemed everything he did was wrong<b>. </b>


    So, he decided to stop talking altogether. It seemed the less he spoke, the more tolerable Yuna became


    The more Hayes thought about it, the more his tears welled up. He craved his parents‘ love and yearned for Yuna to call him by his name affectionately.


    But what about his dad? Did he not love him too? If his dad didn’t love him, why did he go out looking for him?


    Hayes was ambivalent.


    Half an hourter.


    Everyone returned home disappointed, without any sign of Hayes.


    Jocelyn was cleaning <b>tears </b>anxiously, her hand trembling as she clutched Frederick’s. Her voice was hoarse and unsteady, “Frederick, call the police! Hayes is only three years old, and where could he have gone? It’s snowing heavily outside, and I don’t know if he’s dressed warmly enough. If he met a child trafficker, L.. Jocelyn’s <b>legs </b>gave way in her anxiety, but Frederick quickly caught her and steadied her, “Mom! Don’t worry. I’ll call the police right now”


    Yuna immediately showed concern. She <b>stepped </b>forward to discuss with everyone.


    Seeing Frederick about to call the police, she immediately said, “Freddie, the police won’t file a case if Hayes has been missing for less than 24 hours.”


    Frederick’s fury red up, and he red at her, “Who <b>dares </b>not file a <b>case </b>when I call?”


    Feeling the anger from Frederick, Yuna not only backed down but also got a fright.


    At that time, Manley, who was engrossed in his Lego game, was thirsty.


    He wanted to get up for a drink but slipped and fell. Nobody noticed him, and Manley was about to start crying. But as he opened his mouth, his sight fell on a pair of round, tear–filled eyes under the couch.


    Hayes, the little mute, was hiding behind the couch.


    As if he had discovered something <b>incredible</b>, Manley immediately stood up, pointing at the corner of the couch, and shouted with a face full of ment, “Daddy. Mommy, Hayes is hiding here“.


    Frederick, who was halfway through his <b>call</b>, immediately dropped his phone and ran over


    But Yuna was faster than him. She was the first to pull Hayes out of the corner, and her action was rough like she was handling a chicken.


    “You’re disobedient. We have been worried and looked for you, but you’ve been hiding here. Have you been hiding for a long time? Why didn’t youe out?”


    Hayes‘ legs dangled in the air, and his cor was gripped tightly by Yuna, making it difficult for him to breathe.