Quinn POV

"That's not fair, you can't blame my mother for something your father chose to do. It's not her fault that he chose to kill your sibling. That's on him and him alone. Nor is it her fault if he can't keep it in his pants."

"You want to know the cold hard truth Quinn, if your mother could satisfy your father's manly needs then he wouldn't be visiting my mother. The same goes for all the married men in this circus. They seek my mother out because their wives are too frigid. They know that she will give them what their wives can or in your mother's case, won't provide them."

At this, I couldn't contain my anger my hand flew connecting with his face. He stared up at me in shock and then a look of hurt crosses his face as he backed away from me. "Don't you Dare talk about my mother like that! It's your mother who is a disgrace! She's a disgusting cruel and heartless woman."

"If you can even call her that. I bet, if she'd could have had her way you would have never been born." He looked at me his gaze filled with hurt. As tears sprung to his eyes. "I'm sorry Jeremiah. I don't know what came over me. I didn't mean that. Please forgive me."

Jeremiah just stared at me in shock. Then after a few minutes he shook his head and ran down the hill towards his trailer. I stared after still in shock over what had just happened. I couldn't believe that I hit him. I'm not a violent person. In fact, I abhor violence of any kind.

Yet, here I was slapping one of my very best friends. And for what? For saying what he considered to be the truth? No. It was because my father had visited Jeremiah and Jerome's mother's trailer and gotten drunk that caused the argument between my parents. It was his mother's fault that my father came home way beyond inebriated that night.

It was his being drunk that caused him to shove my mother causing her to go into premature labor. Lila was the cause of many fights between spouses. She always getting away with anything she wanted too. Well not this time. Not if I had anything to say about it.

"Mom, can we talk?"

"Your mother is busy at the moment what can I do for you child?" My father asked.

"I wanted to talk to her about the Valeska family."

"What has that rotten son of Lila's done now? That Jerome boy is always getting into trouble."

"Nothing. He's done nothing wrong."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Lila. She got drunk again and evidently sold her daughter to some man last night."

"Let me guess Jerome told you this?" My father replied with a with a frown.

"Well yes but..."

"That boy is nothing but trouble. I want you stay away from him. He's not a good influence on you. Why don't you spend more time with Jeremiah? He's seems like a nice boy. As for Lila, stay out of her business. I don't care what your mother says, I won't hesitate to take you over my knee and give you a well deserved paddling."

"Excuse me, but did you just threaten to hit MY daughter?" My mother demanded angrily walking over to where we stood.

"She's our daughter, and if you must know, the answer is yes. I said I'd put her over my knee if she didn't listen to my instructions. I want her to stay away from Jerome Clare. He is a bad influence on her. Making up such cruel and ruthless lies about that saint of a mother of his."

"Lila a Saint? You've got to be kidding me!" My mom said with a scoff. "What has she done now? Has she hurt that poor boy again?" My mother asked with a frown.

"I'm warning you, stay out of this Clare. How Lila chooses to punishes that no good son Jerome is of no concern of yours.."

"Or you'll what David? You seem to forget that Quinn's been very close friends with those boys for years. There welfare is my concern. I swear if she's hurt Jerome again I won't be held responsible for my actions."

"Clare please listen to reason." My father begged. "There is no way Lila is capable of doing what Quinn has accused her of."

"Are you calling my daughter a liar?"

"No, of course I'm  not. I'm calling that good for nothing, no good brat, Jerome a liar. He's putting crazy ideas into our daughter's head. I won't have it. Stay away from Lila, Clare. You know the other members of the circus won't be happy to hear that of your interference in a personal family matter."

"It figures that you'd side with that woman. Tell me Dear." Mom replied through gritted teeth. "what makes you think that the welfare of either one of those boys or their sister is none of my concern? I care about them as if they were my own. You know how I feel when it comes to anyone hurting my children."

"But that's just it Clare, they are not your children. They are Lila's. Do not challenge Lila's authority when in comes to her children. This is my final decision on the matter. Don't disobey me Clare. You won't like the consequences." My father warned and I sighed shaking my head in disappointment.

Mom's eyes flashed in anger as she gently took hold of my wrist and lead me out of the trailer. "I don't care what he says. Lila is going to answer for her actions. Now, tell me, Quinn, what exactly has that wh*re done now?"

"She has sold her daughter for drugs and money."

"SHE DID WHAT? Oh, that's it! I'm going to KILL her! I'm going to flat out kill her!" My mother snarled.

I wish that I could say that everything turned out alright. That my mother was able to put a stop to the abuse and rescue not only the boys but their baby sister as well. Unfortunately, the fairytales we read as children are lies. The bad guys win far more often the people realize and People don't always get to have a happily ever after.

Thomas Wayne POV

"Darling the circus is coming to town. I think we should get tickets and surprise Bruce with them. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a splendid idea." My wife called back to me. I could hear the sadness in her voice.

"What's wrong dear?"

"I just wish I could give Bruce a sibling but the doctors say that because of the car crash I'll never get pregnant again."

"Don't worry, our Lord works in mysterious ways. Perhaps you will be a mother again sooner then you think." I replied kissing her on her cheek. I knew that Martha had always wanted a daughter.

I was currently looking into the possibility of adopting a baby girl. Unfortunately, I was hitting a lot of dead ends. I was starting to get desperate I couldn't stand to see the sadness in my Queen's eyes.

Sure she put on a smile and claimed everything was alright but I knew better. The news about her womb had devastated her. She wasn't the same happy carefree woman that I knew and loved. I'd do anything to get her back. Well, almost anything. I wouldn't break the law.

I'd heard some families who couldn't have children had actually purchased children off the black market. The very thought disgusted me. The buying and selling of children. What was this world coming too? Perhaps I should hire someone to help me with my research and maybe find me a baby I can adopt.

"Of course I can help you Mr. Wayne. It's just a matter of how much your willing to spend."

"On?"

"There's the adoption fees, doctor's bills, legal fees, and of course my fee."

"How much?"

"That depends. How legal do you want this process to be?"

"I'm a very strong advocate against the trafficking of humans and even more so of children. I've been fighting this cruel and inhumane practice for years but it seems the industry seems to grow by leaps and bounds every year." Mr. Wayne replies with a sigh.

"Understood. Give me 24 hrs and I'll see what I can do. Your in luck Mr. Wayne. I was able to locate a child for adoption however, the fee is quite hefty."

"How much?"

"250,000"

"That's quite steep."

"I could tell them that your not interested."

"I didn't say that. How confidant are you that you can trust this man who made the arraignments?"

"I trust this man with my life. Why?"

"It just seems so steep of a price for adopting a child is all. Are you sure he's on the up and up?"

"Yes. I can guarantee that this operation is 100% legal."

"Very well. I shall transfer the money into your account in an hour."

"Your sure your client is willing to pay $250,000?"

"Yes. However, He's suspicious since you demanded so much for it. He would be furious if he were to learn that we actually bought the package from its owner."

"Oh he's one of those types."

"Yes. As soon as I have the package in my custody I will transfer the funds to your account."

"Yeah about that. I have a few minor details to attend too before I am given custody of the package. I need the money now. I can't wait or the seller will change her mind. She's a real greedy lady. The longer we wait the more money she is going to want."

"Tell your client that if I have the money within the next hour I can ensure the package is ready for pickup tonight. Have them meet me at Haily's Circus near the restrooms at exactly 7:30. More instructions will follow."