Chapter_100
Chapter 100
Emmeline didn’t say anything, but the flush on her face spoke volumes. Benjamin noticed immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Don’t forget what Mr. Adelmar said,” Benjamin reminded her. “He and Mr. Ryker were…”
Emmeline nodded, her face growing warmer. “I know. I never forgot Master’s words.”
Benjamin paused, then stood to leave. “I’ll be going now. Someone will bring formal clothes for you and the children to the café.”
“No!” Emmeline blurted out, panic rising in her chest.
Benjamin raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
“I mean… Abel has already made preparations,” Emmeline explained, her voice suddenly bashful.
Benjamin stared at her for a moment, then nodded. “Alright then,” he said, before walking away.
The next morning, Emmeline went to settle the discharge paperwork for Hesperus. Everyone from Meriwether Mansion was there—except for Adam, as usual. Abel had been there since early morning, his concern for Hesperus clear in his eyes.
Adrien, standing at the opposite side of the room, was visibly hostile. “Abel, I’m grateful that you saved my son,” he said through clenched teeth, “but whatever happens after that is none of your business. You should return to your office.”
Hesperus, however, wasn’t so quick to let go. “Don’t leave, Daddy!” he cried, clinging desperately to Abel’s hand.
“I’m your daddy, Star!” Adrien crouched down to the boy’s level, trying to soothe him. “This man is your uncle.”
Hesperus shook his head stubbornly. “He’s not my uncle,” he pouted. “Sun, Moon, and I want him to be our daddy.”
Adrien’s face flushed with frustration. He was about to lash out when Julianna intervened, walking over to Hesperus. “Be a good boy and follow your granny home. Sun and Moon are waiting for you.”
“But I want to be with Mommy,” Hesperus argued, his eyes full of longing. “Mommy, you haven’t spent any time with Sun and Moon lately because you’ve been in the hospital with me. Why don’t you ask Granny to let them come home with us?”
“No way!” Julianna snapped, her voice sharp. “You will return to the Ryker family!”
“I don’t wanna!” Hesperus cried, his arms reaching out toward Emmeline. “I don’t want to leave you, Mommy!”
Emmeline’s heart ached as she pulled him close, kissing his cheek softly. “Don’t worry, Star. No one will take you away from me. You’re all my children, and I’ll always be by your side.”
“But Granny said…” Hesperus murmured, still hesitant.
“No one wants to separate you and your mommy,” Julianna said, her tone softening. “My home is your home too, isn’t it? It’s perfectly normal for you to stay at Granny’s house. Right, Emmeline?”
Julianna turned to Emmeline with a somewhat pleading look. Emmeline, understanding the unspoken plea, smiled and nodded.
“That makes sense,” Emmeline said gently, her hand resting on Hesperus’ head. “You don’t have to worry, Star. Your Grandpa and Granny love you very much.”
Hesperus hesitated, then nodded in agreement. “Okay then.”
“I’ll carry you,” Adrien said, extending his arms to take Hesperus from the bed.
“No!” Hesperus turned to Abel instead. “I want this Daddy to carry me.”
Abel smiled and easily lifted Hesperus into his arms, while Adrien’s expression darkened. He clenched his jaw, trying to hold back his frustration.
“Must you always fight with me, Abel?” Adrien growled, clearly irritated.
“The child chose me,” Abel said coolly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
“Enough,” Landen interjected, his tone firm. “The party will be at Ryker Mansion, and the kids will be there in the evening anyway. It doesn’t matter who carries the boy.”
Emmeline nodded, grateful for the interruption. “I’ll bring the kids home with me,” she said. “I’ll dress them up so they’re at their best when they meet their great-grandfather.”
Landen agreed. “Alright. Adrien, fetch Sun and Moon from our home and bring them to Emmeline’s house. Once she’s done grooming them, you can send them to Ryker Mansion.”
“Yes, Father,” Adrien replied without hesitation, though his face remained tense.
Landen turned to Emmeline with a stern yet affectionate look. “Does this arrangement satisfy you?”
Emmeline smiled and nodded. “It’s a good plan. I agree with it.”
Both of them thought privately, No one can take my sons (grandsons) away from me!
Not long after Emmeline and Hesperus returned to the café, Adrien arrived with Helios and Endymion. The triplets were finally reunited, and their bond was evident in their excited chatter and laughter.
In the afternoon, Emmeline helped the boys take their baths and dressed them in the tuxedos Abel had provided. She couldn’t help but smile as she looked at them, now ready for the evening.
“Wow, Ms. Louise! They look so handsome! They’re like the sun, moon, and stars in the sky!” Daisy exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.
Emmeline smiled warmly at the compliment, her heart swelling with pride. “They really do, don’t they?”
