Chapter_10
Chapter 10
“You won’t scold me if you’re my biological mother,” Timothy said sternly, his little face serious.
Alana stared at him, momentarily taken aback. “Rosaline took you away when you were born. Doesn’t that mean you didn’t have your mother to educate you?” she retorted, her tone sharp.
Timothy’s face fell. He lowered his head, unsure of how to respond.
Alana softened, placing her hands gently on his shoulders. “Timmy, I was just anxious because you weren’t by my side. Remember, don’t tell Grandma about this, okay?”
Timothy lifted his gaze, his eyes searching hers for the truth. “Is that really true?”
“Of course, it is,” Alana reassured him, her voice soothing, though it lacked the warmth of a true mother’s. “I beg you, tell Granny and Daddy that you miss me, that you want to stay with me. When Daddy marries me, I’ll be able to be with you every day.”
Timothy nodded, the idea of having a mother like the other children seemed tempting, even if Alana didn’t feel quite like one.
“Also, when you see your father, you need to cry. Don’t let him marry that Wonder Doctor. If he does, he won’t love you anymore when they have another child. Do you understand?” Alana’s words were laced with subtle manipulation.
“Okay.” Timothy nodded again, his small mind eager to please, believing he understood the situation.
“That’s all. Go and play. I’ll wait for you here,” Alana added, her voice now dismissive as she went back to playing with her phone.
Timothy walked slowly toward the playground, his thoughts clouded. All around him, children were playing, their mothers by their sides, showing affection and care. But Timothy felt alone, his own “mother” lost in her phone, oblivious to him.
After a while, Timothy wandered away from the playground. He walked aimlessly, feeling more isolated by the moment. Forgotten by Alana, who was too absorbed in her phone, he slipped out of the playground and took the elevator, intending to head home.
But as he leaned against the railing, the unthinkable happened—he lost his balance and fell.
“Help!” Timothy cried out, his voice echoing in the empty space. His small body dangled perilously, fear gripping his chest.
Emmeline, who was pushing a shopping cart nearby, froze when she heard the desperate cry. Her heart raced as the sight of a child dangling from the elevator reminded her of her own triplets. Without a second thought, she abandoned her cart and rushed toward the elevator.
With quick reflexes, she leapt onto the elevator, managing to grab Timothy just before he fell completely. The impact caused Emmeline to lose her footing, and she tumbled to the floor, but she held Timothy tightly, using her body as a cushion to protect him from further harm.
The surrounding crowd gasped, their eyes wide with shock. Timothy seemed to be fine, but Emmeline’s forehead was bleeding from the fall.
“Call 911! Get them to the hospital!” one of the bystanders shouted, panicking.
An ambulance was called, and soon both Timothy and Emmeline were rushed to the hospital.
At the hospital, Timothy had a small bruise on his elbow, while Emmeline needed eight stitches to close the wound on her forehead. Despite the pain, she seemed unbothered, giving Timothy a reassuring smile as she lay in the hospital bed.
“Miss,” Timothy said, his voice shaky as he looked at her with big, teary eyes. “Thank you for saving me.”
Emmeline smiled gently and pinched his cheek. “It’s all right. You’re lucky, little one. Children like you are always blessed.”
Timothy stared at her, his eyes wide in admiration. “Miss, you’re so pretty. You look like a movie star.”
Emmeline laughed softly, charmed by the compliment. “Where’s your mother? You’re so cute; I bet your mom is a beauty too.”
Timothy’s expression shifted, and he lowered his head, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t have a mother.”
Emmeline’s heart clenched. “You don’t have a mother?” she repeated, her chest aching. “Who did you come here with?”
Timothy fidgeted nervously. “I came here by myself.”
He knew he was lying, and he couldn’t bear to look Emmeline in the eyes, guilt gnawing at him.
Emmeline’s eyes softened with concern. “Where are you staying? Are you all alone?”
Timothy hesitated for a moment before giving her a phone number. Emmeline, feeling a protective instinct rise within her, handed the number to the nurse and asked them to contact Timothy’s parents.
Meanwhile, at the Ryker mansion, no one was aware that Timothy had gone missing. It wasn’t until the nurse called the butler that the news reached Rosaline.
The butler, shocked by the call, immediately informed Rosaline, who wasted no time calling Alana.
“Where is my grandson?!” Rosaline’s voice was shrill on the other end of the phone. “Someone rescued him! Otherwise, I swear you’ll regret it!”
“Madame Ryker, calm down. I’m going to the hospital now,” Alana replied, her voice shaken.
“No! I’ve already called Abel. He’s on his way!” Rosaline snapped. “You are such a disaster!”
The call ended abruptly, leaving Alana standing frozen, realizing the gravity of her mistake.
Back at the hospital, Emmeline had finished her IV drip and was getting ready to leave. She looked down at the sleeping Timothy, who had curled up next to her, his small hand gripping the blanket in his sleep.
“Timmy,” Abel whispered softly as he entered the room, his eyes landing on his son.
Timothy stirred in his sleep, mumbling, “Miss, you’re so nice. You’re like my mommy…”
Abel’s heart clenched as he watched his son, unfamiliar with the boy’s daily life, but nevertheless moved by the sweetness of the moment. His mind raced with thoughts of the boy he barely knew, his love for him mixing with something else—a feeling he couldn’t name.
“Timmy,” he repeated softly, walking over to the bed and carefully lifting his son into his arms.
He turned to the nurse, his voice strained. “Who rescued my son?”
“A beautiful young lady. Her name is Emmeline Louise,” the nurse answered.
Emmeline’s name hit Abel like a thunderclap, and he frowned. Something about the situation felt too coincidental, as if it had all been orchestrated. Was it possible that this accident was planned? Was Emmeline involved in this somehow?
His thoughts spiraled, but one thing was clear—he needed answers. And he wasn’t about to let the mystery of Emmeline Louise go unanswered.
