Chapter_11
Chapter 11
Emmeline hailed a cab, her mind racing as she left the hospital. The triplets—Helios, Endymion, and Hesperus—were still at the Ryker home, and she needed to pick them up.
The revelation that Alana had claimed Adrien Ryker as the father of her three children was a tough pill to swallow. Emmeline couldn’t help but wonder about the truth. What if Hesperus’s blood disorder relapsed? She needed to know for certain who the father was, regardless of who he turned out to be.
As the cab weaved through traffic, Emmeline’s thoughts returned to Hesperus. Despite her being his biological mother, they weren’t a match. What if something happened to him, and she wasn’t there in time?
The driver glanced back at her, pulling up Waze. “There are two Ryker mansions listed: Landon or Lewis? Which one are you going to?”
“Lewis,” Emmeline replied, her voice steady. She had done her homework. Benjamin, her assistant, had thoroughly investigated the Ryker family, and now she was headed to the right place.
Meanwhile, back at the Ryker home, Abel had brought Timothy back, and the triplets were already rushing up to him.
“Are you okay? You had us worried!” Helios said, worry written on his face.
“Your arm’s bruised. Does it hurt?” Endymion asked, his voice full of concern.
“If Mommy were here, she would be heartbroken!” Hesperus added.
Timothy, still shaken from the fall, piped up. “I met a really pretty lady today. She looks like how I imagined Mommy to be!”
“She’s definitely nothing compared to our Mommy,” Helios quickly shot back.
“Our Mommy is the prettiest woman alive!” Endymion agreed enthusiastically.
“Yeah! She’s the most beautiful person to walk on land!” Hesperus joined in, his little hands waving excitedly.
“But she wasn’t just beautiful,” Timothy insisted. “She could fight too! She jumped and caught me. She’s a hero!”
“Our Mommy can fight too,” Helios added. “She can jump from the second floor to the first like it’s nothing.”
“Are you sure you’re not talking about our Mommy, Timothy?” Endymion asked, his brow furrowing.
“Huh?” Timothy puffed out his cheeks. “How would I know? I’ve never seen your Mommy.”
“Mommy will be here to pick us up soon. You can meet her in a bit.” Helios smiled, excited at the thought.
“Timmy!” Rosaline’s voice called from the stairs, snapping the children’s attention. “You gave Granny a scare. Are you okay?”
“Just a scratch,” Abel answered, glancing at Timothy’s small wound. “He seems fine otherwise.”
“Thank God!” Rosaline sighed in relief. “He fell from such a high place. If it weren’t for that woman, I would’ve lost a grandchild!”
“I’m okay,” Timothy quickly reassured her. “Don’t be sad, Granny.”
“I’m not sad anymore.” Rosaline scooped him up in her arms, giving him a tight hug. “Granny wants to thank the lady who saved you. Our family owes her!”
At that moment, Alana stormed into the room, her face pale with worry. “Timothy!” she shrieked.
“What are you doing here?” Rosaline fumed, her voice dripping with disdain. “It was you who almost killed my grandson!”
“I—” Alana’s voice faltered.
“What?” Rosaline’s tone grew darker. “Now I have three other grandchildren. You better not hurt Timothy, or you’ll face my wrath!”
“Madame Ryker!” Alana’s eyes welled with tears, her voice shaky. She was well aware that Timothy was her only leverage within the Ryker family.
“Forget it!” Abel cut in sharply, his voice full of authority. “All that matters is that Timmy is safe!”
Rosaline, still annoyed, turned to Abel. “You should listen to your grandfather’s advice. Propose to the Wonder Doctor, marry her, and give me some grandchildren. The Lane girl can be sent on her way!”
Alana’s face turned from pale to sallow as she struggled to hold back her frustration. The thought of Abel marrying Emmeline sent a chill down her spine.
Before anyone could say more, the butler entered the room. “Madame, Mr. Abel,” he began, “Ms. Louise has arrived to pick up her children.”
“Mommy’s here!” the triplets yelled in unison, rushing toward the door.
Timothy scrambled out of Rosaline’s arms, eager to see the woman who had saved him.
“Mommy!” they shouted in unison as they approached the gates where Emmeline stood waiting.
Timothy’s eyes widened in shock. “It’s the pretty Miss!” he exclaimed, pointing.
Emmeline was equally taken aback, blinking in surprise as she noticed the triplets rushing toward her. “Hello? Do you live here?” she asked, her voice tentative.
“Mmhmm. This is my home. My name is Timothy Ryker!” the little boy replied proudly.
“Ryker…” Emmeline’s heart skipped a beat. This adorable child was Abel and Alana’s son? Her stomach churned. Abel might not have been the father of her own children, but she couldn’t deny it—she had fallen for him at first sight.
“Mommy!” Helios called through the gates. “I missed you!”
“I missed you too!” Emmeline responded, her voice full of affection.
“So did I!” Endymion cheered.
Timothy, still trying to process, turned to the others. “This pretty lady is your Mommy?”
“Yup!” Hesperus answered, his smile wide. “Isn’t she pretty?”
“She is. The most beautiful lady ever,” Timothy added, still in awe.
The triplets laughed, delighted by the compliment, and Timothy smiled shyly. “It was pretty Mommy that saved me!”
Rosaline, standing at a distance, was stunned. “What did you say, Timmy? She saved you?”
“Yes, Granny,” Timothy explained seriously. “If the pretty lady didn’t save me, I would be dead!”
“Open the gates!” Rosaline commanded, her voice filled with gratitude. “Let Ms. Louise come inside!”
The butler quickly unlocked the gates, and Emmeline stepped inside.
However, Alana was already rushing toward her, a look of anger and frustration on her face. “Why are you so stubborn, Emmeline? I told you the children have nothing to do with Abel!”
“I’m here for my sons,” Emmeline shot back, her tone firm as she shot a glance at Abel before adding, “Not for him!”
“Take your children and leave,” Alana snapped, her voice condescending. “This isn’t a place for a bumpkin like you to come and go as you please!”
“Who do you think you are?!” Rosaline snapped at Alana, her voice laced with disdain. “Ms. Louise saved my grandson. Your son! What is wrong with you?!”
Abel, observing Emmeline’s injury, noticed the fresh blood on her forehead. “You’re still bleeding. Come inside, we’ll help you with it.”
“There’s no need,” Emmeline said, trying to remain composed.
“It’s only right,” Abel disagreed. “You saved my son.”
“Yeah, Mommy!” Helios added. “There’s blood on your bandage.”
“Miss,” Timothy tugged on her hand. “Please come in. You’ll get a fever if your injury gets infected.”
Emmeline hesitated for a moment, but with the children’s innocent eyes looking up at her, she couldn’t refuse. “Alright,” she said, giving in to their pleading.
As they walked toward the house, Alana’s face darkened, her jealousy unmistakable. She followed them, eyes darting from Abel to Emmeline, her heart sinking. It was clear to her that the two of them were growing closer. The way Abel had grabbed Emmeline’s hand, concerned for her, was not lost on her.
Emmeline’s forehead was redressed, and the pain became more bearable. Rosaline then ordered her servants to prepare tea for the woman who had saved her grandson, and juice for the children.
But then, Hesperus began to cry. “Itchy!” he complained.
Helios immediately sprang into action. “Mommy, Star’s face is swelling up!”
Endymion stood frozen, his face a mix of shock and concern. “Mommy, Star’s having an allergic reaction!”
“Allergic reaction?” Emmeline’s heart sank. She knelt down, examining her son closely. The rash was spreading quickly.
“Mommy! It hurts!” Hesperus whimpered, close to tears.
“Damn it,” Emmeline muttered, her mind racing. “Did you eat kiwi? You know you’re allergic to those!”
“I didn’t!” Hesperus wrinkled his nose. “I’m not stupid!”
“Kiwi?” The nanny looked horrified. “Is Hesperus allergic to kiwi? The juice had kiwis in it!”
“He’s allergic to kiwi?” Rosaline asked, her voice filled with surprise.
“Yes,” Emmeline confirmed with a frown. “He was born with it.”
Abel, who had been watching silently, leaned toward his mother and whispered, “Isn’t Adrien also allergic to kiwis?”
Everyone froze. Could this be another clue in the mystery of Hesperus’s parentage?
