Chapter 278 Missing Mom
The driver was surprised, "Your parents must be very trusting to let such a young kid out alone, even if your dad is a cop. But don't you worry, I’ll make sure you get home safely."
Ethan replied, "Thank you, sir."
They hadn’t even driven three miles when three cars suddenly appeared, boxing them in.
The driver panicked, thinking perhaps he had inadvertently crossed some local thugs.
A muscular bodyguard in a black suit stepped out and knocked on the driver’s window. With trembling hands, the driver rolled it down.
"Open the car door!" the bodyguard demanded.
The driver asked, "Who are you people?"
"We're here to pick up the young master; he's in your car, and we've come to bring the young master home."
Turns out the little kiddo in the backseat was a wealthy family's young master. The driver was about to unlock the door when Ethan yelled out.
"I don't know them; I'm not their young master. Uncle Driver, don't open the door!"
However, it was already too late, the door swung open.
"Young master, I'm sorry, but the boss ordered us to bring you back." The bodyguard forcibly lifted Ethan out of the car.
The driver, shaking with fear and with a surge of justice, tried to call the police, but a glare from the bodyguard caused him to drop his phone trembling.
Ethan was taken by the bodyguard to their car, knowing he couldn't escape.
The little guy didn't want to get the kind driver in trouble and shouted at him. "Uncle, don't be scared; they are my daddy's bodyguards. I was just mad at Daddy."
The driver finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Kid, don't run away from home again; it could be dangerous if you run into bad people."
Ethan agreed, "I know, thanks, Uncle."
Three black cars appeared with an air of authority and just as quickly, departed.
Having been found, Gabriel let out a sigh of relief from the hospital. He made a video call, asking Betty to show Ethan the video.
"Why did you run off alone?" he asked Ethan.
Ethan, expressionless, looked exactly like Gabriel with anger hidden in his eyes.
He didn't answer but instead countered, "Why won't you let us see Mommy?"
Mommy would never go two days without seeing them, not without telling them first, even if she had something important.
Clearly, it was their no-good daddy keeping them from seeing Mommy.
Gabriel insisted, "I told you, she's busy."
"You can't fool me! Jerk!" Ethan shouted, and then he hung up.
Fuming, his little chest heaving up and down, he decided to call Mommy. He rushed to the living room, grabbed the landline, and dialed Mommy's number.
While at the hospital, Sophia couldn't believe that Gabriel could be such a jerk.
He had the whole hospital ward guarded under the guise of protecting the children, requiring all doctors and nurses to undergo thorough checks before entering or exiting.
That was bad enough.
But to deny her, despite all the security checks, they still wouldn't let her see her children.
Initially, Sophia panicked, understanding Gabriel's intentions that he was trying to take the children away!
Her children, whom she had brought into this world through hardships, Gabriel wanted to snatch away and forbid her from seeing them.
For what reason?
Angry and upset, Sophia broke down in tears.
After she calmed down, she immediately consulted her lawyer.
Her strength was no match for Gabriel's when it came to a tug-of-war over their children. She couldn't outmuscle him in the literal sense.
The only option left was to legally and legitimately gain custody of the kids, so she could keep them with her and watch them grow. But after she had explained the situation regarding Gabriel to her attorney, he fell silent.
" Miss Kelly, your case is somewhat complex. I need to sort through the details before I can advise you on how to win this custody battle," he said.
"Okay, I appreciate your help," she replied.
Sophia was aware that Gabriel held significant advantages in the custody fight. He had a powerful team of lawyers and ample funds to provide a superior upbringing for the children.
She seemed to have nothing but an ineffectual mother's love. Yet even so, she was determined to put up a fight. She would never give up on her children!
When she received a call from the family house, Sophia could hear Ethan's voice, tinged with tears, creating a knot of pain in her heart.
Ethan had always been calm and mature for his age, seldom crying.
"Don't be scared, Ethan. Mommy's okay. I've been busy with a competition, so I couldn't make it to the hospital," she explained.
"You're lying!" Ethan accused.
He knew that his Mommy would never leave them alone for two days, especially with Emma in the hospital. She would usually wish she could stay with them around the clock.
Sophia's voice remained gentle, even as she adopted a more serious tone.
"Ethan, can you take good care of Emma for Mommy? I promise I'll come and bring you two back home, soon," she promised.
Silence ensued.
Ethan sniffled.
A minute later, with a hoarse voice, Ethan said, "I understand, Mommy. Please, come pick us up soon."
"Good. Stay with your great-grandmother," she said calmly.
Ethan complied, "Okay."
In the hospital, Emma was also upset. She was ill, and Mommy hadn't come to visit her.
That meanie Daddy said Mommy was busy and couldn't visit her for the time being.
At first, she believed him and sympathized with Mommy's hardship. But... Mommy had never been away this long.
Something must have happened to Mommy! Emma was worried sick. She missed her so much.
Even though Daddy was with her every day in the hospital, clumsily feeding her and telling her stories without much flair, she grew somewhat fond of this mean Daddy.
But she still missed Mommy.
"Little Emma, it's time for your medicine," the nurse said as she brought over the medication, gently coaxing Emma to take it.
Emma pushed it away. "I won't take it!"
The pills were scattered across the bed.
"If you don't take your medicine, how will you get better quickly?" the nurse asked patiently, picking up the pills.
"I won't. I won't take it unless Mommy comes," Emma said, turning her head away.
The nurse, out of options, had no choice but to report the situation to Gabriel.
Gabriel was working in the room next door, his laptop open for a video meeting, when he overheard Emma refusing to take her medication. He had no choice but to leave the attendees hanging and march next door to coax the little one.
The little one's eyes were red with tears. "I want my Mommy; I don't want to take medicine."
Gabriel urged, "When you take your medicine, you'll get to see Mommy."
Emma countered, "You're lying. You also said I'd see Mommy when I wake up. Where's Mommy?"
Gabriel was speechless.
Emma was adamant about not taking her medicine, not getting shots, not eating, and she was crying so much her eyes were swollen and red.
Gabriel, watching Emma sleep, furrowed his brow tightly.
Every time he thought about Sophia's secrets, he got angry. So, to teach Sophia a lesson, he decided not to let her see the kids for a while.
As a result, one child had run away from home to find Mommy, and the other was on a hunger strike and refused treatment for the same reason.
He was probably punishing himself more than anyone else.
Gabriel sighed helplessly and sent a text message to Sophia.
In the evening, as dusk settled, Emma woke up groggily.
She had cried herself to sleep and now hunger had awakened her.
"Emma…"
Huh, she thought she heard her mommy's voice.
Emma strained to open her eyes wide. Sophia leaned in.
"Mommy!" Emma reached out for a hug.
Sophia carefully avoided her injuries and embraced her.
"Sob, Mommy, don't you want Emma anymore?" she asked Sophia.
Sophia apologized, "I'm sorry, Mommy didn't abandon you, Mommy made a mistake."
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