Maja held Patric’s gaze with earnest intensity, searching for any hint of deceit in his eyes. Patric was a sly fox, and just the night before, he had clamped a hand over her mouth, dragging her away in a hasty retreat. For a full minute, she scrutinized him as Patric returned her stare with an innocent look in his eyes. “Maja, it hurts.” He lifted his arm, pointing to the fresh marks among the old track lines on his skin. Maja’s pupils shrank in shock, realizing that indeed, Patric had been subjected to more abuse. She grabbed his hand, about to say something, when he suddenly dropped to a crouch, clutching his head in agony. “It’s so painful, the needles, they hurt so much. I want to go home.” “Where’s home?” “It’s in… in…” He hesitated, seeming uncertain. “In Greenfield Gardens, the house Maja decorated, it’s so beautiful.” Maja’s grip on his wrist tightened abruptly, causing Patric to yelp in pain, his face draining of color. “Greenfield Gardens is where Ian lives, not you.” Patric’s reaction was extreme. He stood up suddenly, his face twisted in rage. “It’s mine! All of it’s mine!” Maja didn’t want to argue. Perhaps Patric had truly lost his mind. But what about Eric? Her brow furrowed in concern, she decided to ignore Patric. With Ian not on Outer Island, she’d have to wait for Troy’s arrangements to head to Middle Island. Otherwise, the Mental Hospital of South District might come looking for her. Retreating to her room, she closed the door and gently touched her belly. By four in the afternoon, Troy finally contacted her, promising a car to take her to Middle Island. Maja tried to take Patric with her, but he refused to get in the car. “I want to stay in the yard with you, Maja, no car, I’m not getting in.” Quentin, standing outside the vehicle, thought for a moment, then pushed Patric in before climbing in himself. Maja was taken aback. “Quentin, you’re coming with me?” He nodded, touching the tattoo at the back of his neck. “Even if I didn’t follow you, after the finals, I’d still be sent to Inner Island.” “What about the kids?” “Don’t worry, Maja. I’ve arranged for someone reliable to take care of them.” With nothing more to say, Maja signaled the driver to go. The car stopped in front of a towering wall guarded by a couple of dozen armed men. After checking their IDs, one of the guards looked at Maja a bit longer

Yet, Ian’s actions in Middle Island were far more audacious. A grin spread across her face, eager to see him. “I understand. I’ll find him.” The guard stepped back, smiling slightly, “You may pass.” The massive iron gate rose, and the car drove through. Inside, they encountered checkpoint after checkpoint, each requiring a hefty fee. Maja realized that unless you were wealthy, you’d likely never set foot in Middle Island. With twenty checkpoints demanding a payment of ten thousand dollars each, the total cost was two hundred


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