Emily couldn't determine how powerful James's influence was, so to be safe, she had Mary send the two children to their destination, while she drove alone through several cities, changing cars multiple times.

Finally sure she had evaded all kinds of surveillance to meet up with the children at the intended location.

"Mary, can you help me get a boat ticket?"

Mary's heart skipped a beat, looking at Emily intently.

"Emily, you..."

Emily earnestly held Mary's hand. "You are the only one who can help me now."

Mary was genuinely curious and worried. "Emily, what did you do to offend James?"

Emily lowered her head, remaining silent for several minutes before taking a deep breath and telling Mary, "He is Ben and Isabella's father."

"What!" Mary glanced at the room where the two children were, lowered her voice, surprised, and asked, "James is the scumbag who abandoned you and the children?"

Emily nodded solemnly. "If he finds out about the children's existence, he will definitely take them away. You know that Ben and Isabella are my life. Without them, I can't go on living."

Mary immediately became serious, patting her chest. "Don't worry, I will make sure everything is taken care of for you!"

In less than an hour, Mary obtained a boat ticket.

"Tomorrow, I will personally take you to the ship."

Emily embraced Mary, grateful from the bottom of her heart. "Thank you, Mary."

Mary didn't know the details of Emily and James's story, but she knew how difficult it was for Emily when she first came to America. At that time, Emily was still in depression and couldn't take medication because she had to breastfeed the two children.

She could only find solace within herself every day. Once, Emily attempted suicide, but Mary, her neighbor, discovered it in time and rushed her to the hospital. Later, Mary was worried that Emily might have such thoughts again, so she stayed with her for several days.

During this time, the children's father never appeared. Later, Mary noticed that Emily seemed to harbor a deep hatred towards that man. She didn't dare to bring up any unpleasant memories for Emily, but in her heart, she imagined the storyline of Emily being heartlessly abandoned by the scumbag.

Now that the scumbag had found them, Mary was determined to do everything in her power to help Emily escape from him.

The next morning, Mary drove the mother and her two children to a dock where several ships were being loaded with cargo.

"This ship will take you to Country Y. I have a friend who will meet you there. Enjoy your time and have fun before anything else." Mary helped carry the luggage onto the ship and gave Emily some final instructions.

Emily was filled with gratitude as she hugged Mary. Mary gently patted her and said, "When you come back, tell me your story."

"Okay."

Emily bid farewell to Mary, holding two children's hands. Isabella, who usually mischievous and curious about everything, seemed to sense something and quietly stayed by her mother's side, while Ben, like a little adult, furrowed his brows in deep thought.

Looking at the state of her mother and Mary, why does Ben feel like they are not going on a vacation, but rather escaping?

Recalling the incident where his mother asked Mary to erase any traces of their lives, Ben becomes even more certain that his mother intends to take them away from M country.

But why?

Could it have something to do with that idol... I mean, that man, Ben wondered.

Emily returned to the cabin with her two children, preparing the beds. This time, they will be traveling to Y country on a cargo ship, drifting at sea for several days.

The children will have to endure hardships.

"Mummy, let me help you," Isabella ran over to assist Emily with the preparations.

Emily gently touched her daughter's head.

"Are you tired? Go and sleep with your brother for a while."

In order to catch this ship, they had to wake up before dawn.

Just as Isabella was about to say she wasn't tired, she yawned and in the next moment, Ben also covered his mouth and yawned.

Emily coaxed the two little ones to sleep and thought about resting for a while herself. Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted her. In order not to wake the children, Emily hurriedly went to open the door.

Outside stood a foreign woman who smiled friendly upon seeing Emily. "Hello, I'm Mary's friend, Leana. I work on this ship, and Mary asked me to take care of you. Are you doing alright here?"

Emily understood and smiled, saying, "I'm doing well here, thank you."

"The ship hasn't set sail yet. Would you like to come with me and familiarize yourself with the surroundings?"

"Okay."

Seeing that her children were sound asleep, Emily quietly closed the door and followed Leana for a stroll around the ship.

Leana enthusiastically introduced Emily to the ship's conditions and pointed out what needed attention. Emily diligently took notes of everything.

A commotion came from somewhere, and Leana curiously glanced towards the bow of the ship.

"The ship is about to depart. I don't know what's happening over there. Do you want to come with me and take a look?"

Emily wasn't interested in watching the commotion and was about to refuse when suddenly, a group of well-trained black-clad individuals approached them. Before Emily could react, she found herself surrounded.

Leana looked at these people in panic and screamed, "Who are you people? What do you want?"

Emily's heart sank, sensing an ominous feeling.

Sure enough, the next moment, a handsome and imposing man approached from the bow of the ship. The man's face was grim, and his deep eyes carried suppressed anger. As he came closer, his intense and oppressive aura grew even stronger.

He found them so quickly!

Emily bit her lip, calming herself down and quickly thinking. The children were in the cabin; she couldn't let James find out.

James swiftly walked up to her and tightly grabbed her arm.

Emily's wrist now bound, she fiercely tried to struggle with great force.

He clenched his teeth and spoke slowly, each word pronounced forcefully: "Emily, haven't I told you not to fantasize about escaping?"

"I have the freedom to go wherever I want, but what about you? What gives you the right to restrict my exit? I haven't broken any laws." Emily lifted her head, her cold gaze matching his intensity.

"Just because you're..." James paused halfway through his sentence.

Emily seemed to have caught onto something, mocking him as she laughed, "Just because I'm what?"

Her mocking eyes made James feel uncomfortable, and he finally expelled two words:

"Ex-wife."

She had long known that she meant nothing to him, so when she heard the words "ex-wife," Emily's heart remained unaffected, even bordering on amusement.

"I don't understand which law states that an ex-husband can restrict the freedom of his ex-wife." Emily's hand was gripped by James, impeding the flow of blood and even causing her bones to ache faintly. She struggled, but James exerted even more force.

James furrowed his brow, "Regardless of the law, you must come back to the country with me."

Emily laughed, then seized James's hand that was gripping her and bit down hard.

Instinctively, James flung her away, and upon seeing her about to fall, he reached out to catch her, but it was too late. Emily was thrown to the ground, her tailbone throbbing painfully, causing her face to pale.

"Aria!" Leana screamed and rushed towards her.