Chapter 335: Pax's Cause of Illness

Chapter 335: Pax's Cause of Illness

He curled up against the wall, whispering almost inaudibly, "Don't hit me..."

This was just the tip of the iceberg from the videos recorded by that sick organization.

This scene was unbearable for ordinary people to watch, let alone his biological parents.

Mia couldn't take it and broke down completely.

After that, she couldn't watch anymore.

Tears were already streaming down her face. The pain was overwhelming, and she cried until she lost her voice.

She remembered how Pax backed away in fear when Eleanor grabbed his face to hit him in the hospital room and said, "Don't hit me..."
At the time, she didn't think much of it, just assumed Pax was scared by Eleanor.

She never thought this was the real problem.
Her baby, she had believed God had blessed him, that he had met Dennis and would grow up loved and cherished.

But instead... her baby suffered so much pain and torture.

What kind of abuse left such deep scars on Pax, making him afraid and resistant to crowds, scared of strangers' touch, and it forces him to protect himself.

Becoming what others called a little monster.

Mia felt her heart breaking just thinking about it.
The pain suffocated her.

Tears rolled down in big drops.

James also couldn't watch anymore. Each scene felt like his heart was being cut to pieces.

Mia might not know, but James understood, he had once walked through the darkest places.

They specifically targeted good-looking children, using their cuteness when young to gain sympathy and help them beg.

When they reached five or six years old, they'd send them to people with special preferences.

They were kept by their side and treated like toys.

He closed the laptop. James, also in tears, looked at Mia sobbing beside him.

His heart was drowning in guilt and pain.

He reached out to hold her, wanting to pull her into his arms for comfort. But the moment his hand touched her, Mia forcefully pushed him away.

"Don't touch me!"

Her emotions out of control, she forgot to control her volume.

Mia's eyes stared fiercely at James.

With nowhere to release her heartache, those memories she had tried so hard to bury and never revisit surged up again.

Having witnessed with her own eyes the abuse Pax suffered, she couldn't control herself from blaming and resenting James.

"It's all your fault! "

She raised her hands in anger, crying and hitting James sitting beside her with all her might.

Each strike harder than the last.

"If you hadn't rejected Pax back then, Pax wouldn't have gone through all this!"

Mia's words stabbed deep into James's heart.

"Mia, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry to you and Pax, I'm sorry."

"What good is sorry? What good is your sorry!"

The more Mia thought about it, the more her heart ached. Tears kept falling as she pounded James hard, "Why didn't you want him? Why didn't you want him!"

Both lost in their emotions, neither noticed the door had opened and quietly closed again.

Pax, woken by Mia's voice, her sleepy eyes were now wide awake, but his pupils were full of confusion.

He felt a tightness in his chest, extremely sad.

Other times, he could depend on Mia, but not now.

Pax slowly walked back to the bed, lifted the covers and wrapped himself up, curling into a ball.

His little mouth pressed tight, thinking about what Mia had just angrily said: Mia said he didn't want him.

He didn't deny it.

So, was it true that he didn't want him and threw him away, and Dennis picked him up?

But if he didn't want him back then, why is he being so good to him now?

Pax didn't want to care. He already had Dennis.

If he didn't want him, then he didn't want him, no big deal.

But just thinking about him not wanting him made his chest hurt more and more.

His eyes grew redder and redder. Pax hid under the covers, biting the corner of the blanket, crying until his eyes were red.

In the living room, James let Mia vent by hitting him until she was tired, then he pulled her exhausted body into his arms.

"Let me go."

Mia cried until her throat was hoarse. She pushed once but couldn't break free.

"No, I'll never let go of your hand again in this lifetime!"

James held Mia tighter, his heart pierced with pain, pain for what Pax endured, and pain for Mia's pain.

Mia had been too grief-stricken and sad just now, her whole body weak and powerless.

She couldn't break free, so she leaned against James.

James held Mia, his heart full of regret and self-blame. His lips pressed against her ear as he confessed painfully.

"Mia, not a single day these past years have I not regretted my actions back then."

"I regret forcing what I thought was good for you onto you, making that decision I'll regret for the rest of my life!"

"Mia, but believe me, I didn't lie to you. I was just confused for a moment."

"But the moment you went into the operating room, I came to my senses and turned back to find you. But I didn't expect Uri to take advantage of the situation."

"I was too soft-hearted, had no guard against him. I didn't know he'd been plotting to take you away. He took advantage of my confusion and set that fire at the hospital."

"It stopped me from getting in to save you both in time, made me think you both died in the fire..."

When he found out Uri was behind that fire, James really wanted to tear him apart.

If not for that fire, he could have gotten there in time to stop the surgery.

Mia might have been angry at him, annoyed with him, hated him, wouldn't have easily forgiven his foolishness.

But they wouldn't have been separated for four years, wouldn't have been separated from their child.

Their son wouldn't have suffered so much pain and torture.

"Mia, I'm not trying to shift blame. I know all the mistakes start with me."

"But I really didn't mean it. I just loved you too much back then, felt I'd already wronged you so much."

"I really couldn't bear to drag you down, make you spend the rest of your life with a cripple!"

He knew Mia's character, since he became disabled in both legs from saving her, she would never leave him.

How could he bear to drag her down?

"I know I was terribly wrong. I admit my fault. You can punish me however you want, but don't push me away, don't send me away."

"Let me stay by your and Pax's side, let me take care of you both, make it up to you. Can we be together as a family?"

Mia didn't respond.

But James's words just now did have an effect on her heart.

James had told her the first half of these words before, but when she mistakenly thought Pax was no longer in this world.

She couldn't listen to any of his explanations then.

But now, knowing all the causes and effects.

Though she still blamed James for his decisiveness back then, for not listening.

But she hated Uri more.

It turned out, from beginning to end, it was all his long-planned scheme.

She even suspected whether their initial meeting also involved schemes she didn't know about!

Such a calculating man who would stop at nothing to get her.

Even without James's foolishness, he would have found ways to harm her and Pax.

"Is there any news about Uri?"

Mia was full of hatred!

That fire had brought her devastating harm.

Just thinking about the torture Pax suffered, she wanted to tear Uri apart with her own hands!

"Don't worry, it won't be long. We'll find him soon!"

This investigation went so smoothly and quickly because Dennis secretly helped Carl a lot, though he never mentioned it.

Earlier, when they talked on the phone, Carl mentioned a force helping them in secret.

He guessed right away it was Dennis.

In Aetheria, even in the whole world.

The only person with that capability who would wholeheartedly help for Pax's sake was Dennis.

Though Dennis was sort of his rival in love, he didn't feel hostile toward him.

Instead, he felt a mutual respect.

When he investigated Black Hawk, he immediately asked Dennis if he needed help.

Dennis refused.

In terms of power in that area, his connections really couldn't compare to Dennis's.

He knew Dennis didn't really look down on it, but rather didn't want him involved in those things.

Dennis wanted to give Pax a relatively safe environment to grow up in.

In his youth, he and Carl also met many people and had certain connections.

Precisely because he knew something about that world, he could feel even more deeply Dennis's love for Pax.

So he didn't want Pax to misunderstand Dennis.

In the phone call just now, Carl also mentioned he received news that someone had posted a global bounty through special channels.

People die for money, birds die for food.

Those desperados were everywhere in the world. They valued money like life - as long as you paid enough, there was no one they couldn't find.

James's people had always been working openly.

This time Dennis was working in the shadows.

One in the open, one in the dark, working from both angles.

Where could Uri hide!

The pain he inflicted on Mia and Pax, he would make Uri repay a hundred, a thousand times over!

Mia calmed down a bit. After recovering some strength, she got up from James's arms. "You should go back now."

She had been too emotional just now, afraid of scaring Pax if she went back to the room.

Now that her emotions had calmed down, she just wanted to hold Pax in her arms.

"Okay."

James agreed.

He supported Mia's waist to help her stand up, walking with her toward the bedroom.

Mia didn't think much of it.

He wanted to check on Pax before leaving.

Entering the room, Mia didn't turn on the light, afraid of waking Pax.

She went straight to the bathroom.

Just as she entered the bathroom, she heard James's panicked shout from outside, "Pax."

Mia was so scared she immediately rushed out of the bathroom, "What's wrong with Pax?"

The bedroom light had already been turned on by James, illuminating the whole room.

Just as she entered, she saw the slightly bulging covers had been pulled back by James.

Pax, who should have been lying inside sleeping, was gone.

"Pax..."

Mia and James simultaneously noticed the balcony window was open.

She clearly remembered that when Pax went to sleep, she had closed and locked the window.

"Mia, don't panic. Pax will be fine."

James quickly calmed himself down.

He immediately opened his laptop to check the surveillance from behind the bedroom.

He soon found Pax's small figure.

He had left on his own.

The time he left was an hour ago.

They watched him nimbly climb over the railing and land lightly on the ground.

Standing on the lawn, his small body seemed to merge with the darkness.

They could faintly see him look back at the lit living room.

Without staying long, Pax disappeared into the night with his little backpack.

Mia's legs went weak with worry. He was still so small - how dangerous for him to run out alone!

Pax had always been so well-behaved. Why would he sneak away?

Her mind in chaos, unable to think normally, Mia tried hard to calm herself down.

Details she had overlooked began surfacing in her mind.

After Pax fell asleep, when she left the bedroom, she had closed the door.

But just now when she returned to the room, the door was slightly ajar.

When James pulled back the covers, where Pax had been lying, the light-colored sheets were clearly wet in a large patch.

That timing.

It was exactly when she was accusing James.

Could it be...

"Did Pax hear us?"

James was on the phone, telling the security on duty to quickly pull up the surveillance of when Pax left so he could review it.

Just as he was about to call Louis for help, he heard Mia's words. "What?"

"Hear me say you didn't want him!"

All the details connected together - this was the most likely answer.

"I'll call Dennis to ask."

Mia didn't know if this was the reason, but she had no time for self-blame.

The two headed out together, walking quickly toward the complex's security monitoring room.

Just as they left, the call connected.

The person who answered wasn't Dennis, but an unfamiliar voice. "Hello, is Dennis there?"

"Mr. Gonzalez is not here!"

Dennis had already gone abroad.

"What about Pax? Did he come back there?"

"Mr. Gonzalez just got back not long ago."

Hearing that Pax was at the Gonzalez Villa, Mia said excitedly, "Please help me look after him. I'm coming right away to get him."

After hanging up, she immediately got in the car.

James floored the gas pedal, racing toward the Gonzalez Villa.

Speeding all the way, they arrived at the Gonzalez Villa twenty minutes faster than usual.

The servant recognized Mia and had been waiting at the main gate.

When Mia saw her, she rushed over. "Where's Pax?"

"Mr. Gonzalez is inside."

The servant didn't dare approach the main house.

Usually, she only went in when cleaning.

They all knew Pax didn't like strangers getting close. The servants over these two years had an understanding.

They tried not to appear in front of Pax.

Even after Dennis left, the people who stayed behind maintained this habit.

Today when Pax came back, they were all happy, but no one approached him.

"I'll go find him. Thank you."

Mia thanked her repeatedly and hurried inside.

Having lived here before, Mia went straight to Pax's room after entering.

But she didn't find him.

She then went to Dennis's room. The door was open. "Pax?"

She called from the doorway. No one answered.

James strode in. "Pax."

The two searched the room but found no one.

The Gonzalez Villa was very large. They split up to search but still didn't find him.

The servants also split up to help search, but no one could find Pax.

They had practically turned the entire Gonzalez Villa upside down, but still couldn't find him.

"Did Mr. Gonzalez go into the back mountain?"

None of them were close to Pax.

For a moment, they didn't think of it.

The Gonzalez Villa had a forbidden area.

Except for Pax and Dennis, no one else could enter.

That was the back mountain.

"Back mountain?"

When Mia lived here, she knew there was a mountain behind, but she had never gone in.

"You can't go in, it's very dangerous..."

As soon as James heard there was a back mountain they hadn't searched, he immediately wanted to go, but was stopped by the servant.

Although Dennis and the butler weren't here, the Gonzalez family's rules couldn't be broken.

But James couldn't wait.

Hearing "forbidden area," his mind filled only with "danger."

He had heard that Dennis's back mountain had all kinds of wild beasts roaming around.

If Pax wandered in there, how dangerous would it be?

"Get out of my way!"

James's cold rebuke made those blocking him involuntarily stop.

But they quickly recovered and firmly refused to let James break the rules.

James had lost his patience and directly knocked out all the people in front of him.

"Mia, you wait here. I'll definitely bring Pax back safely."

Mia nodded. "You too!"

If she went in, she'd only cause trouble.

James didn't delay another second and strode toward the back mountain.

The night deepened.

Stepping into the back mountain, the forest was dense inside. From time to time, he could hear sounds that seemed like wolves or dogs.

James didn't stop, staying fully alert as he searched for Pax.

Following a cleared path, not long after, James spotted Pax's figure.

Just as he was about to call out, he saw a snow-white massive creature charging at Pax, opening its mouth toward him.

In that moment, James's blood rushed to his head.

Without thinking, he rushed over, grabbed Pax in his arms, and pulled him away from the creature's gaping jaws.

Turning, he kicked the creature's open mouth.

The creature, hurt, glanced at Pax who had been snatched away, then angrily raised its leg to kick at James.

James caught the creature's front hoof, pushed Pax forward with his other hand, reached out to grab the creature's neck, and turned to shout at Pax, "Run!"

Fighting this massive creature with his bare hands, he had no confidence he could keep Pax completely safe. He could only make him leave quickly!

Seeing Pax still standing there, as if scared stiff, James grew more anxious, but his tone remained gentle, coaxing him, "Baby, it's dangerous here. Run! Mia is at the bottom of the mountain. Go find her!"

Only when Pax heard "dangerous" did he react - he was worried Max would hurt him.

That's why he suddenly rushed over to pull him away from Max and told him to run.

Max was already impatient.

Pax had finally come to be close to him for once, and this human was so annoying.

Not only kicked him, but was also choking his neck!

Max's eyes turned red with anger. Just as he was about to raise his hind leg to kick James, he heard Pax call him, "Max!"

His hind leg obediently came down!

At this moment, James belatedly realized!

He had been too concerned about Pax just now and lost normal thinking. Plus it was nighttime and he couldn't see clearly!

Given how much Dennis cared about Pax, how could he possibly keep dangerous beasts in a place like the back mountain where Pax might encounter them!

Thinking it was one thing, but this massive creature called Max looked too dangerous for James to really feel at ease.

Pax walked over with a stern little face. "Let go of Max!"

James's hand loosened slightly, but his eyes watching Max remained alert and guarded!

Max let out a heavy breath through his nostrils, sounding like a snort of derision!

Ridiculous!

He would hurt the whole world before he'd hurt Pax.

Provocatively lowering his head, he affectionately nuzzled Pax's little face.

Knowing Pax was unhappy and came to find him.

After nuzzling once, he immediately lay down, patting his belly with his paw - the softest, most comfortable spot, and Pax's favorite place to lie.

Pax didn't look at James and directly nestled into Max's embrace.

Burying his little face in!

James watched, his heart in his throat.

He had recognized this was a snow wolf!

Right now it didn't seem like it would hurt Pax, but what if?

This was a snow wolf!

"Pax, come down the mountain with me first, okay? Whatever you want to say, we can talk after we go down the mountain?"

James crouched down halfway, coaxing gently.

"You're not my dad. I only have one daddy, and his name is Dennis!"

Pax's tone was agitated!

Since he didn't want him, he shouldn't run in front of him acting like he loved him and cared about him so much!

He would take it seriously!

After Pax finished shouting emotionally, he saw James looking hurt.

His words had made him sad.

Pax's eyes reddened, feeling terrible inside.

His little hand clutched Max's snow-white fur, tears moistening his long lashes, his heart full of grievance and sadness.

He didn't want James to see, so he quickly turned his little face and buried it in Max's long, soft fur, tears rolling out as he cried silently!

Pax hid quickly, but James still saw it.

Watching Pax cry with grievance, his heart constricted. How could he care about his own hurt? Looking at Pax, the heartache in his eyes was about to overflow.

He crouched down, asking softly, "Pax, did you hear the conversation between me and your mom?"