Chapter 233 Aunt Kelly is Mommy
Sam was huddled in the car, his young mind swirling with thoughts of Aunt Kelly's kindness. 'It finally clicked—Aunt Kelly was his mom, and did that make Ethan and Emma his siblings?'
It was a lot to process, and he was struggling to wrap his head around it all.
"Mr. Lancaster, we found surveillance on the mountain, and it appears the kidnappers took more than one child."
Based on the evidence left behind, the kidnapper had taken three people. Judging by the length of the ropes that remained, the other two were likely children as well.
Sophia felt a twinge of anxiety, her eyes betraying a flicker of panic.
The police came over to question her.
She looked visibly shaken.
"I don't know, we only saw Sam."
Gabriel's brows furrowed as he somberly said to the officers, "I'm afraid for the other two children. They could be in danger. You'll have your work cut out for you."
The police officer responded with a serious tone, "Of course!"
Seeing how distraught Sophia was, Gabriel couldn't help but reassure her, "Your friend will be alright. The police are already conducting a search. Plus, your friend can hold his own, right?"
Sophia nodded slightly.
She wasn't worried about Jake. He could take on three knife-wielding kidnappers by himself. However, her concern lay with Ethan and Emma who had just endured a horrific ordeal, and she hadn't been there for them.
Now there was Sam... Sophia shifted closer and sat beside him.
Gabriel climbed into the driver's seat, "The police will handle the investigation. Let me take you home."
Sophia didn't refuse and silently reached out to touch Sam.
Sam sat still, lost in his thoughts.
When he didn't react, Sophia wanted to say something to break through but realized it might be futile. Perhaps Sam needed time to process everything.
She felt a deep ache in her heart, the gloom within her matching the heaviness of the car's atmosphere.
Gabriel pursed his lips.
He had many questions, like how Sophia knew Sam had been kidnapped, why she thought to check the south hills alone, and how she had managed the rescue by herself.
He knew that even if he asked, Sophia wouldn't disclose anything.
Her guard was up when it came to him, making him feel as though she thought he might snatch away her most prized possession.
The car was silent as they drove on, pulling up to the hospital.
Sophia glanced over, "I'm not hurt."
Gabriel replied, "I'm here to get Sam checked out."
Sophia felt awkward.
Although it was late, Mr. Lancaster's insistence on a check-up for Sam meant the hospital staff took it seriously, and an on-duty doctor was summoned.
After a tense examination, Sam was found to have only minor rope burns on his wrist.
Gabriel nodded toward Sophia.
"Tend to her chin," he directed.
The nurse pulled Sophia aside.
"I'm fine," Sophia said, eager just to get home.
"Miss, this is a deep cut. You need to treat it or it's going to scar," the nurse warned.
Fearing scarring was enough to make Sophia comply. She sat still as the doctor cleaned her wound, received some ointment, and got instructions to apply it regularly.
"Sam, wanna go home with mommy?" At Flora Garden, Sophia reached out to hug Sam.
Sam stared at her motionlessly, not extending his arms as he used to.
His feelings were mixed—he was both thrilled and sunk in a fog of despondency.
Sophia felt a prick at her heart.
Seeing her child's lost gaze, she fought the swell of emotions and held back her tears.
"Go on ahead," Gabriel suggested. "Let Sam spend the night at the old family house."
Sophia didn't dare to insist on taking Sam with her, fearing it might hurt him. Reluctantly, she stepped out of the car, looking back with every step.
As Gabriel started the engine, Sam at the last moment raised his hand and waved at Sophia.
Her heart lightened instantly with a smile.
'Her little Sam wouldn't abandon her. He was just struggling to accept that she was still alive.'
Over at Mansion Heights, Tiffany swept up a mess of skincare products.
"Idiots, all useless idiots!" she fumed.
‘She was so close to success, about to get rid of the three kids, but these fools couldn't even take down one man.
What seemed like a foolproof plan was now in ruins, with three of the four thugs caught.
Luckily, she had made a remote deal over the phone and had never met them face to face—the three men had no idea who their employer was.
She had set up surveillance just to witness the demise of the three children.
Everything that unfolded, she saw through the camera feed.
She watched as Sophia's man took down the thugs, as he escorted the other two children away, and as Sophia and Sam reunited.
Damn it, not only had she failed to eliminate them, but now Sam, that little wretch, knew that Sophia was his biological mother.
Sam, so desperate for a mother's love, had taken to Sophia even without knowing the truth. Now that he knew, he'd likely grow even fonder of her.
If Sam agreed, wouldn't Gabriel and Sophia be quick to remarry?
Over her dead body would she allow that to happen!’
Ethan and Emma had been calmed down, and when Sophia returned, the two tots were still perched in the living room awaiting her. The TV was on but unwatched.
"Mommy."
Upon seeing Mommy, the two treasures hopped off the couch, eager to leap into Sophia's arms, but she urgently called a halt.
"I'm dirty, sweeties, I need to go wash up first."
"We don't mind, Mommy," Emma protested, moving to hug her.
Caroline came over and scooped Emma up and said. "Be good, Emma. Your mommy's tired too, let her take a bath."
Emma pouted, "Okay."
It was past one in the morning, but Ethan and Emma felt not the slightest hint of sleepiness. The night's events had left them shaken. Closing their eyes only conjured images of the cool, foreboding mountains and the four menacing villains.
After a refreshing bath, Sophia, wrapping her kids in a hug, coaxed them into sleep before she stepped out of the bedroom to find Caroline.
Caroline said, "Jake dropped the kids off and left."
It seemed Jake hadn't encountered the fleeing robber.
"Oh, I think Jake got hurt. Sophia, maybe you should give him a call to check on him?"
Reminded by Caroline, Sophia recalled Jake's arm had been cut, but wasn't sure if he was resting at this hour. Pulling out her phone, she sent a WhatsApp message.
Sophia: [Is your wound taken care of? Is it serious? I've made it home.]
To her surprise, Jake replied instantly.
Jake: [I'm fine. The cut's treated. Glad you're home safe. Make sure the kids are comforted tonight. They might have nightmares after the scare.]
Sophia: [Thanks again, I owe you big time.]
This time, a simple meal seemed insufficient to repay Jake's kindness.
In the circumstances they'd faced, if she had gone alone, she might not only have failed against the kidnappers but could have been in real danger herself.
Jake: [Don't worry about inviting me for dinner.]
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