Chapter_58
Chapter 58
As Abel stepped out of the car, he looked down at the small bundle in his arms—Helios, fast asleep. He had an overwhelming urge to nibble on the little boy’s plump cheeks, but he resisted the temptation. Abel couldn’t help but compare Helios to the son he had never really known. Though he had a son of his own, it was Rosaline, his mother, who had been raising him. Abel had only seen pictures of his child and wondered if his son would be as adorable as Helios.
After receiving word that Abel was arriving, Rosaline waited eagerly in the hospital foyer. As soon as she saw him, her eyes brightened. “Abel, my dear boy!”
“Hey, Mom,” Abel greeted, his voice warm but tinged with the exhaustion of a long journey. He didn’t get to see his mother much, as he was often away, but whenever they did meet, it was like nothing had changed. When Rosaline noticed the child in his arms, she instinctively reached out to take him.
“Good boy. I didn’t know you went home and brought Timothy along,” she said, cooing at the child.
“No,” Abel replied, handing Helios over to his mother, “This is Helios. I haven’t met Timothy yet.”
“Helios?” Rosaline raised an eyebrow, surprised. With Hesperus upstairs, she hadn’t expected to see another child who looked so similar. She paused, her heart suddenly pounding. The resemblance was uncanny, and she felt an unfamiliar tremble in her chest as she asked, “Whose child is it?”
Abel answered, his tone firm. “He said his mother is Emmeline Louise.”
“Emmeline?” Rosaline’s frown deepened. The name stirred frustration in her. That woman, Emmeline, had become a notorious figure in Struyria. But despite her personal feelings, Rosaline couldn’t help but marvel at how adorable the chubby boy in her arms was. She imagined how wonderful it would have been if both Helios and Hesperus were her grandchildren too.
“So, is it true that Emmeline gave birth to your children?” Rosaline asked, eyeing her son carefully.
“I only met one woman,” Abel replied firmly, his voice full of conviction. “Five years ago, when I returned to fulfill my duty as a member of the Ryker family.”
“But they look so similar to you,” Rosaline murmured, mulling over the implications. She was about to suggest a paternity test, but she stopped herself. Despite her doubts, she trusted her son’s words. She didn’t want to entertain the idea that Alana was the only woman Abel had been with, especially after hearing how much he despised her.
Afterward, they made their way to the highest floor of the hospital to visit Oscar. As they entered his room, it was clear his condition hadn’t improved. Abel left the room with a somber expression, the weight of worry pressing heavily on his chest.
“Don’t worry,” Rosaline reassured him as she gently cradled Helios in her arms. “Your father asked for the Wonder Doctor, and he agreed to treat Oscar tomorrow.”
Abel nodded, grateful for the hope that had been offered. “I’ve heard the doctor’s medical skills are exceptional. At least there’s hope for Grandpa.”
Rosaline smiled softly. “Let’s head back to the mountain villa to rest. You must be exhausted after such a long flight.”
“Yeah,” Abel replied, finally allowing himself a small breath of relief.
Just then, a little voice interrupted them. “You must be Daddy, seeing how handsome and stylish you are.”
Abel turned to see a boy standing at the entrance to the resting area. He frowned. “Timothy?” he asked, confused. “Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”
“This isn’t Timothy!” Rosaline exclaimed, her voice flustered. “This is Star, Hesperus!”
“Hesperus?” Abel’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the boy, already sensing that things were about to spiral further out of control. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks—this child was another of Emmeline’s.
“Whose son is this?” Abel asked, his voice strained as he tried to keep his composure.
“It’s Emmeline’s,” Rosaline replied, her voice soft but firm.
Abel’s mind raced. Another child? He had brought home Sun, and now here was Star. What was going on with Emmeline? His head spun as he tried to process it all. But when he looked down at Hesperus, who was staring up at him with wide, hopeful eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to turn him away.
“I’m not your daddy, but I can’t leave you here until your mom picks you up. Follow me,” Abel said, his voice softening as he bent down.
“Thanks, Daddy!” Hesperus grinned and raised his arms, eager to be picked up.
“Sun is sleeping,” Hesperus pointed toward Helios and giggled. “Teehee, he’s even drooling!”
Rosaline’s heart melted as she watched her grandchildren interact. She could hardly contain her joy. How she wished these children were hers.
They made their way toward the elevator, but as the door opened, Abel froze. Another child was waiting inside. This time, it was a small boy with big, sparkling eyes.
“And you are…” Abel bent down to speak to him, trying to calm his rattled nerves.
“Daddy!” the child chirped, his voice bright and innocent. “I’m your son, Endymion.”
“You’re the moon, then?” Abel asked, his head swimming.
“Yeah!” Endymion’s eyes lit up. “The sun, the moon, and the star have all gathered! We’re all your sons.”
Abel stumbled backward, overwhelmed. “Luca,” he called out to his assistant, his voice faint. “Lend me a hand.”
Back at the Louise residence, Alana was fuming. Though she wasn’t allowed into the Ryker family’s estate, she had quickly learned that Abel had brought three children home with him. She now knew for certain that Sun, Moon, and Star were Emmeline’s children.
How had Emmeline managed to give birth to four kids? Alana was seething, but there was little she could do about it. She immediately ran to find her aunt, Alondra, who was relaxing and applying a silk face mask.
“Auntie,” Alana began, her voice sharp, “how could you be so clumsy back then? Why didn’t you take all four of Emmeline’s children?”
“You want all of her children?” Alondra asked, raising an eyebrow. “Your goal was to have a Ryker family heir, not to raise a whole bunch of kids. And you and Abel can always try for another one. If I gave you all four, how could you justify having another?”
Alana let out a frustrated sigh. “I can’t believe Abel entered the wrong room five years ago! I drugged him and was waiting for him in the next room!”
“We also shouldn’t have kicked Emmeline out of the house that day,” Alondra added with a thoughtful expression. “If we hadn’t done that, there wouldn’t have been any misunderstanding.”
Alana grimaced. “What do I do now? Those three rascals are getting in my way!”
“What are you panicking about?” Alondra responded coolly. “Didn’t you bribe the supervisor from the Biology Department at Ryker’s Hospital? If the Ryker family wants a paternity test, the results will come from that lab, right?”
A flush spread across Alana’s face as she lowered her head, her discomfort palpable. “I’ll call him later,” she mumbled.
“Huh?” Alondra turned to look at her. “Your face is red. What’s wrong with calling Dr. Reid?”
Alana squirmed uncomfortably. “It’s not that simple! It’s risky to fool the Rykers… And Dr. Reid only agreed to help because… because…”
Alondra’s eyes widened in realization. “You slept with him?”
