Chapter 145: Danger outside the school.
Later that day...
This time, Elena arrived early to pick up Leo. She waited by the curb, glancing toward the school gate.
The moment the final bell rang and the gates swung open, children poured out in cheerful groups.
Leo spotted her immediately. "Aunt."
His face lit up with a bright smile as he sprinted toward her.
Elena crouched down and opened her arms.
He threw himself into her embrace, wrapping his little arms tightly around her neck.
A strange warmth spread through her heart as she hugged him. Holding him felt so natural, as though she were embracing her own child. The feeling only deepened her longing to have a baby of her own.
"Aunt, are you taking me to see Mommy?"
"Yes," Elena replied with a smile. "We’ll go see her."
Leo beamed. "I have so many things to tell her."
"Oh?" Elena chuckled. "Can you tell me too?"
Leo nodded enthusiastically before rummaging through his school bag. A second later, he proudly held up a shining trophy.
Elena’s eyes sparkled. "Wow. You won a trophy."
"Yes." Leo puffed out his little chest proudly. "Today we had a speech competition about ’My Father.’ I won first prize."
Elena’s smile faltered slightly. ’A speech about his father...?’
Leo hugged the trophy to his chest. "I said my daddy is the best surgeon in the world. He has saved so many lives, and I’m proud of him."
His eyes shone with admiration. "When I grow up, I want to become a doctor just like him."
Elena’s heart softened. She gently rested her hands on his small shoulders.
"Leo... aren’t you still upset with your daddy?"
Leo blinked. "He didn’t spend much time with you before. He left you and your mommy alone for years. He missed your school events and couldn’t take you on trips."
She spoke carefully. "Don’t you have any complaints?"
Leo lowered his eyes. His fingers unconsciously tightened around the trophy. He remembered every birthday his father had missed.
Every parent-teacher meeting where another child’s father had attended while his own seat remained empty. Every school performance where he had searched the crowd, hoping Ian would appear.
He had waited countless times.
"I was upset," Leo admitted honestly. "I wanted Daddy to come to my school. I wanted him to watch me perform."
His voice grew quieter. "But he never came."
A trace of sadness crossed his little face. "I cried many times." He looked down. "Mommy used to get angry at Daddy. They argued because of it."
After a brief silence, a smile slowly returned to his face. "But Mommy didn’t know Daddy was sad too. He always apologized afterward. He told me he would make up for everything someday, when he achieved his dream, when he became the best surgeon..."
Leo’s eyes sparkled with hope. "Now he is the best surgeon. He’ll definitely keep his promise."
The innocent faith in his voice tugged painfully at Elena’s heart.
The little boy simply wanted his father. Yet Evelyn would never willingly let Ian become part of Leo’s life again.
No matter what had happened between the adults, a child shouldn’t have to carry the burden of their mistakes.
Elena gently squeezed his hand. "Come on." She stood up. "Your mommy must be waiting for you."
Leo nodded happily. "I miss her so much."
After putting the trophy safely back into his bag, he reached for Elena’s hand.
The two of them walked toward the parked car.
Just as they reached it, two tall men suddenly stepped into their path.
Elena stopped abruptly. Her instincts screamed that something was wrong. She pulled Leo behind her. Her heart began pounding.
"Who are you?" she demanded, already reaching into her handbag for her phone. "What do you want?"
The men exchanged mocking smiles.
One of them pointed directly at Leo. "We want the boy. Hand him over."
A chill ran down Elena’s spine. She tightened her grip around Leo’s wrist.
"Leave us alone." Her voice remained firm despite the fear clawing at her chest. "The school is just nearby. If I scream, people will come. You won’t get away."
The men burst into laughter. "Listen to her. She has got guts."
The scar-faced man smirked. "I’d like to see who comes to save you."
Elena quickly glanced around. The street had become eerily deserted.
The last parked car was gone. Parents and children had already left. Even the school gate was beginning to close.
There wasn’t another soul in sight.
Her pulse quickened. Still, she refused to let them touch Leo.
"You have no idea who you are dealing with," she warned. "Take one more step, and I’ll call the police."
"Oh?" The scar-faced man laughed mockingly. "We are terrified."
The three men slowly advanced.
Behind Elena, Leo clutched the back of her skirt with trembling hands. His frightened gaze remained fixed on the scar running across the man’s forehead and his rotten yellow teeth.
He looked terrifying.
Leo’s fingers trembled. "I-I’m scared..."
Elena reached back and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "It’s okay." Her eyes never left the men. "I won’t let anything happen to you."
"Call the police," one of them sneered. "We’d love to watch them arrive too late."
They lunged forward.
"Run." Elena grabbed Leo’s hand and bolted.
The two raced across the roadside as footsteps thundered behind them.
"Catch them."
Another man emerged from behind a parked truck, blocking their path.
She skidded to a stop. Leo hid behind her, trembling.
The other two caught up within seconds. They had them surrounded.
"Where do you think you are going?" the scar-faced man sneered. "You can’t escape."
"We only want the boy," the other one said. "Hand him over. We’ll let you walk away."
Elena pulled Leo closer until he was completely shielded behind her. "Over my dead body."
The men’s expressions darkened instantly. "You’ll regret that."
The scar-faced man drew a knife. He charged.
Elena swung her handbag with all her strength.
The bag slammed into his wrist.
Caught off guard, he staggered backward, cursing.
Without wasting another second, Elena grabbed Leo’s hand again.
"This way." She darted toward the thick patch of woods beside the road.
"After them."
They chased them.