Chapter 404 Daddy Wouldn't Be Able to Come In Anymore
Sophia glanced at Gabriel, her emotions all over the place.
"This villa is where your mom grew up. I bought it for you guys. Move in whenever you want."
Gabriel had the place cleaned and organized after buying it. Most of the stuff was new, so it was ready to move in.
Emma and Ethan got what Gabriel was hinting at.
They were super curious about where Sophia grew up, and Emma was all about checking it out.
"I'll take you to see it tomorrow."
Emma was instantly happy and gave Gabriel a kiss on the cheek.
"Daddy, you're the best."
Emma thought, 'Daddy really wants to give the house to Mommy, but he's worried she won't take it. So, he gave it to us. If we move in, Mommy will have to come, too.'
'Daddy's so sneaky.'
Ethan was pleased, too. 'Daddy's getting better, but he still needs to step up his game.'
Sam was off in his own little world, daydreaming.
Emma took the property deed and shoved it into Sophia's hands.
"Mommy, keep this for us."
Sophia felt her palms heat up, unsure how to react.
Caroline, standing nearby, said, "Just keep it. Isn't it nice that the house is in the kids' names?"
"Okay." Sophia put it away.
The four kids were eating cake, getting cream everywhere. Josie got the worst of it, thanks to Emma.
Emma wasn't much better off, thanks to Ethan.
Sam got hit by both Emma and Ethan.
Ethan stayed the cleanest, using his age to his advantage.
"Ethan!" Emma grabbed a handful of cream and threw it at him. He was too clean; it wasn't fair!
Sam joined in, grabbing some cream and throwing it, too.
Chaos erupted, turning into a full-on cream fight.
The living room was filled with laughter. Caroline and Sophia watched from a distance, and at some point, Gabriel jumped in.
Caroline was secretly surprised.
"I never thought the aloof Gabriel could be so childish."
Sophia smiled faintly, saying nothing.
"But I noticed Gabriel looks pale. Is he feeling unwell?" Caroline asked.
Sophia saw the thin layer of sweat on Gabriel's forehead and his occasional frown. He seemed a bit off but kept playing with the kids.
The kids were having a blast.
When the cream ran out, Emma jumped on Gabriel, rubbing her cream-covered self on him.
Sophia walked over.
"Ethan, Emma, Sam, Josie, that's enough."
The four kids stopped, covered in cream.
Ruth cheerfully called Betty to take them downstairs to clean up.
Sophia looked at Gabriel, wanting to say something but hesitating.
Gabriel was slightly out of breath, wiping the cream off his face with a tissue. Playing with the kids was exhausting.
"If you're not feeling well, you should rest." Sophia said it with difficulty and then regretted it, wanting to take it back.
Gabriel paused, then looked at Sophia happily.
"Are you worried about me?"
He was excited inside, wanting to hold her hand and hug her, but he held back.
Sophia's face showed a hint of awkwardness.
"I just noticed you look pale. If the kids knew you were unwell but still played with them, they'd feel guilty." Sophia convinced herself she was only saying this to keep the kids from worrying.
"No matter the reason, it's enough that you're concerned about me." Gabriel's smile showed off his white teeth, clearly thrilled.
Sophia awkwardly turned away to look at the kids.
Ruth sat on the sofa, smiling.
It was getting late. When Nicholas came to pick up Josie, Josie had just changed into Emma's clothes.
The three little ones wanted to sleep over, and Sophia was persuaded by Ruth and the kids to stay.
But if Sophia stayed, what about Caroline?
Emma piped up, "Let Uncle Nicholas take Caroline back to the hospital."
She turned and sweetly asked Nicholas, "Uncle Nicholas, can you take Caroline back to the hospital?"
Nicholas, not one to be cold towards Emma, replied, "Sure."
"Thank you, Uncle Nicholas."
Caroline stayed silent.
Emma whispered to Caroline, making a cheering gesture, "Caroline, hang in there. Reunite with Josie's family soon."
"Thank you, sweetheart."
After Caroline and Josie left, the three kids pulled Sophia back to the room, wanting her to tell them a story.
Gabriel headed to the study. He took some medicine, and the pain in his stomach eased a bit.
In the car, neither Caroline nor Nicholas spoke, the silence so deep they could hear each other's breathing.
Josie sat obediently between them.
She looked at Nicholas, then at Caroline, her eyelids starting to droop.
Seeing Josie getting sleepy, both Caroline and Nicholas reached out at the same time to pull Josie into their arms to let her sleep comfortably.
Their hands touched.
Caroline quickly pulled back as if she had touched something hot.
Nicholas' hand stiffened slightly, the warm touch lingering on his skin.
He lowered his eyes, hiding the hurt in them, then pulled Josie over to rest her head on his lap.
When they arrived at the hospital, Nicholas only let Charles take Caroline back to her room while he and Josie waited in the car.
Before getting out, Caroline wanted to kiss Josie, but Josie was sleeping soundly in Nicholas' arms, so she had to give up and let Charles help her out.
Late at night, both Caroline and Sophia couldn't sleep. Their minds were a mess, filled with random thoughts.
The next day, Gabriel kept his promise and took the three kids to see the villa at Harbor Bay. Sophia was also pulled along by the kids.
As soon as they entered the road to Harbor Bay, memories flooded back to Sophia.
This was where she grew up.
In her memories, her parents were very loving and gave her a happy and carefree childhood.
Back then, she was fearless.
Nothing much had changed here. When Sophia entered the villa, even the trees in the yard were still there.
The tree was planted by her parents with her when she was three years old. Now, it had grown into a large tree that could shade half the yard.
The kids loved the place as soon as they entered.
"Mommy, I want to live here. It's so big," Emma said, clinging to Sophia.
Ethan also said, "This used to be Mommy's home, and now it's our home. Mommy, let's move here."
Sam nodded in agreement.
Since Gabriel bought the house for the kids, Sophia didn't want to take advantage of him.
Emma pouted. "If Mommy doesn't move here, we won't be able to see her."
Sam shook his head in panic. "I don't want to not see Mommy."
Ethan said, "Don't worry, Mommy. This is our house now, and Daddy can't come in."
Gabriel, who was secretly smiling, thinking his plan was working, suddenly had his smile freeze.
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