shuhaige
Chapter 1272
As they exited the highway, it was already noon. Nash first took the family to the city's largest shopping mall, where they strolled around for a while before heading up to the rooftop restaurant for lunch.
Suddenly, a sharp fire alarm blared through the mall.
"There's a fire. We need to get out, now," Nash quickly said as he scooped Orion into his arms and grabbed Nina's hand tightly.
The three of them hurried toward the emergency exit. When they arrived, it was already packed with people, all pushing and shoving, desperate to get out. No one wanted to be the last.
Nash tightened his grip on Orion, holding him even closer.
The thought of getting separated sent a surge of anxiety through him, especially with Orion being so small. There was no way he could push through the crowd of adults on his own. If he got knocked down, a stampede could have disastrous consequences. Orion seemed to sense the seriousness of the situation, wrapping his arms tightly around Nash's neck as they pressed together.
Suddenly, the sound of a child crying pierced through the chaos.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
As a mother, Nina was particularly sensitive to the sound of a child crying. Instinctively, she looked in the direction of the noise and saw a little girl in a floral dress, crying helplessly. She looked about Orion's age, standing alone in the crowd with no sign of her parents. The danger was obvious. Being alone in such a chaotic situation was incredibly risky for a child.
Just as the little girl began to stumble, someone's large foot stepped down on her shoe.
Without hesitation, Nina let go of Nash's hand. "You go ahead with Orion. We'll meet outside!" she called over her shoulder before squeezing through the crowd toward the little girl.
She reached the child just in time, scooping her up into her arms. "Where are your parents? Where did they go?" she asked gently.
The girl only cried harder, clutching onto Nina's neck. In doing so, Nina noticed the dark and painful-looking bruises on her arm.
Her heart sank. Had this child been abused?
There was no time to think about that now. Nina pushed her way through the crowd with the girl in her arms, eventually making it outside to safety.
Once outside, her first thought was to find Nash and Orion. Luckily, they were standing not too far away, easily spotted.
"Orion, are you okay?" Nina rushed
over, scanning her son from head to
toe. Only after confirming he was
unhurt did she breatheevele
relief. .
Orion, curious, looked at the little girl his mother was holding. He extended a hand toward her with a kind smile. "Hi, what's your name?"
"I... I don't know," the girl said, her tears still falling as she blinked up at him.
Nina's heart broke for the child. She was so sweet and vulnerable. How could anyone possibly hurt her?
Kneeling down, Nina placed the girl on the ground. "Do you remember your parents' phone number? Lcan call the police, and they'll help you. They won't let anyone hurt you again."
But the girl's crying only intensified, and after a moment, she whispered, "I don't have any parents."
This answer stunned both Nina and Nash.
No matter how they asked, the little girl insisted she had no parents, claiming she had been living on the streets, alone.
"You don't have to worry about me
she said through her tears. "I'm used to this life." Then, as if trying to leave, she wiped her face and started to walk away.