Chapter_4
Chapter 4
Emmeline arrived at the kindergarten an hour later than expected.
“Ms. Louise,” the kindergarten teacher said, apologetically. “We just received a visit from the Ryker family, and they insisted that your son stays. The principal decided it was best to send Moon home early.”
The fact that the Rykers would go to such lengths for a child surprised Emmeline. She suspected it had something to do with Alana, who always seemed to have time to meddle.
“Well, I don’t see the point in sending them to school if they dislike it,” Emmeline replied with a smile. “I’ll keep them at home for a few days.”
“I understand,” the teacher agreed. “Your children are incredibly bright, Ms. Louise. Honestly, we often have to look up the answers to their questions.”
“Thank you for your understanding,” Emmeline said quickly.
“You should go home and look after your children,” the teacher added, glancing at the time. “They should be home soon.”
After saying goodbye, Emmeline drove back to Nightfall Café in her old Phaeton. When she arrived, she found Endymion occupied with the computer in the study room.
“Hey, Moon,” Emmeline said, ruffling his hair. “Are you hungry?”
“Nope,” Endymion replied without taking his eyes off the screen. “Is Star still with great-grandfather?”
“Yeah, he’ll be playing there for a while.”
“Sun’s heading that way too.”
“He’s with Abel now, and they’re visiting his grandfather at the hospital.”
“How did it go with Dad?” Endymion asked, his voice cautious.
“Well,” Emmeline sighed, “he’s not admitting to anything.”
“Hmph!” Moon puffed out his cheeks. “What a jerk!”
Emmeline chuckled. “He doesn’t seem like such a bad guy to me.”
“Then why didn’t he admit he’s our father? We’re four years old now!”
“Well, there’s no proof yet,” Emmeline replied with a thoughtful scratch of her head. “Even Mommy is starting to question things…”
Suddenly, they heard the door downstairs being kicked open, followed by a shout, “Emmeline Louise, get down here now!”
It was Emmeline’s stepmother, Alondra Lane.
“Stay here,” Emmeline said to her son. “I’ll go see what’s going on.”
“Okay,” Endymion nodded. “Call me if anything goes wrong.”
“Yes, sir!” Emmeline joked before rushing downstairs. Her son was growing more adorable by the day—and more like Abel, she thought.
“Are you out of your mind, Emmeline?” Alondra’s voice echoed from below. “How dare you offend the Ryker family? They were about to ruin our only business! If it weren’t for Alana, we’d have gone bankrupt!”
Emmeline looked to the side and noticed Alana standing by the front door, elegantly dressed in white. Her presence was so commanding that several potential customers hesitated to enter the café. Emmeline held the railing and jumped down the last few steps.
“My dear cousin,” Alana sneered. “You’re a mother now, yet you’re still acting like a child?”
“Why don’t you shut up for once?” Emmeline snapped, grabbing Alana’s jaw and pulling her aside. “Just stand there like a mannequin.”
Alondra swatted Emmeline’s hand away. “Don’t be ridiculous! My niece is about to marry into the prestigious Ryker family!”
“Oh, congratulations!” Emmeline said sarcastically.
Alana held her head high, proud as ever. “Are you just jealous because no one wants you and your ‘illegitimate’ children?”
Emmeline’s temper flared. “I’ll give you two minutes to leave my place, or you’ll regret it.”
“Stop it!” Alondra yelled. “Do you know that your father collapsed when he heard the Ryker family might ruin our business? It was Alana who convinced them not to! Are you really going to argue with her?”
The mention of her father made Emmeline pause. Despite everything, they were family, and hearing about her father’s collapse struck a chord.
“Apologize to Alana!” Alondra demanded. “I can’t believe you’re not even sending your children to kindergarten!”
“I knew this was your doing!” Emmeline snapped. She stormed toward Alana, ready to slap her, but her wrist was suddenly caught. Turning, she saw her brother, Ethan.
“Emma, stop making things worse! Even I’m about to lose my job!”
“What happened?” Emmeline asked, her anger cooling as she saw his pale face.
“I got a call from Louise Corporation,” Ethan said, his voice strained. “They’re going to terminate me because of the trouble you caused with the Ryker family. What are we going to do?”
“Yes, Emma, please stop!” Grace Cooper, Ethan’s wife, burst in, crying. “I was about to secure an interview with the Ryker family, but now they’ve canceled it! I can’t afford to lose any more opportunities!”
“Haha!” Alana laughed, enjoying the chaos. “Emmeline, you’re a curse! You’re ruining everyone’s lives!”
“Sis?” Ethan called out.
“Emma?” Grace added.
“Apologize to Alana now!” Alondra commanded.
“Yeah, what does she want as an apology?” Emmeline muttered, rolling her eyes.
“Never show your face in front of the Ryker family again!” Alana threatened, glaring at Emmeline. “I could easily have you removed from the picture.”
“That’s not enough,” Alana added, looking smug. “Emmeline scolded me too. If the Ryker family hears about this, I can’t promise I’ll always side with you.”
“That’s right!” Alondra added, her tone arrogant. “My niece has tolerated enough!”
Ethan sighed. “I’ll apologize on Emma’s behalf. We’re sorry.”
Emmeline rolled her eyes. “This is ridiculous.”
Just as Alana seemed to think she had won, Emmeline made a quick decision. She grabbed her phone and made a call.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Send a large order to my brother, the type with a commission worth over half a million dollars. And arrange an interview between Grace and a notable figure in Struyria.”
“Understood, ma’am!”
After hanging up, Emmeline returned to the café, just as Ethan and Grace were apologizing to Alana. Alana, aware she couldn’t push further, left in a huff with Alondra. Soon after, Ethan and Grace received phone calls, their faces lighting up as they were filled with joy.
Emmeline returned upstairs, only to find that Endymion was gone. There was a note on the table that she quickly picked up and read.
“The Sun and the Star are together, but the Moon is missing. I’m going too. I’ll see you soon, mommy.”
“Damn it!” Emmeline crumpled the note in frustration. All three of her sons were heading toward Abel!
