Chapter 515 I Won't Leave
His voice rang out clear and innocent, cutting through the noisy airport lounge and drawing curious glances from nearby travelers.
"Aren't we supposed to have the same dad? The teacher said that kids born from the same mom have the same dad."
Emma's heart skipped a beat. She slowly crouched down until she was eye level with her son.
Lucas' eyes sparkled, reflecting the bright airport lights, reminding her so much of him.
She reached out to touch his cheek, but her fingertips were trembling.
"Sweetie, every family is different..." She tried to keep her voice steady, but Lucas' sudden struggle interrupted her.
"I want to wait for Dad!" Lucas broke free from her grasp, stepping back, his little shoes making a screeching sound on the tiled floor.
"Dad promised to take me to see the big planes! He said he'd let me sit in the cockpit and take pictures!" His eyes reddened, his voice quivering with tears. "Dad never lies to me."
Michael crouched down at the right moment, his face showing a gentle, appropriate smile, his eyes crinkling with soft lines.
"Lucas, I can take you to see even bigger planes." He deliberately softened his voice, reaching out to touch the child's head. "I know the airport captain; he can let you sit in a real cockpit."
Lucas recoiled like a frightened animal, his back hitting Emma's leg.
"You're not my dad!" He suddenly shouted, his voice echoing in the spacious lounge, drawing more attention.
"My dad tells me stories! He helps me build blocks taller than the house! His eyes," Lucas' voice dropped, his small hands tugging at his shirt, "even though he can't see now, he remembers where all my toys are, even the smallest block pieces."
Emma felt like she'd been struck by lightning, a buzzing sound in her ears, as if someone had rung a giant bell in her head.
She instinctively grabbed Lucas' thin shoulders, her grip so tight that Lucas gasped softly.
"Lucas, what did you say? What happened to your dad's eyes?" Her voice was sharp, not sounding like her own, even the nearby staff handling boarding looked up.
Lucas was scared by Emma's sudden intensity, tears welling up but stubbornly refusing to fall.
"Dad hasn't been able to see since the car accident." He sniffled, suddenly burying his face in her neck, his warm tears soaking her collar.
"Mom, why don't you come home? Is it because Dad can't see? My classmates say moms don't want dads who are blind."
Michael's face darkened instantly, a flash of something sinister in his eyes, but he quickly replaced it with a concerned expression, his brows furrowed, his mouth maintaining a perfect curve. "Emma, this matter..."
Emma didn't hear him. Her world seemed to have been muted, all the noise fading away, leaving only Lucas' sobs and her own pounding heartbeat.
The once invincible George, the George who dominated the business world, how could this be?
She suddenly remembered those vague sentences in her email, those phrases she thought were just exaggerated metaphors like "darkness" and "can't see the future," were they literal?
The boarding announcement echoed, the mechanical female voice reverberating in the lounge.
Lucas suddenly broke free from her embrace, running towards the security checkpoint like a startled deer.
Emma hurriedly chased after him, her high heels clattering on the marble floor.
When she finally caught up, she saw the child clinging tightly to a decorative pillar, his small body almost merging with it, his face red from crying, even his neck turning pink.
"I want to wait for Dad! Dad said when his eyes are healed, he'll take me to find Mom! He said the doctor is treating his eyes, he said when Mom comes back, he'll definitely be able to see her!"
"Lucas, come on, the plane's about to leave."
Michael walked over quickly, his shoes making a steady rhythm on the floor.
His voice was still gentle, but Emma clearly saw his hand clenched at his side, his knuckles turning white.
The cross around her wrist glowed softly under the lights, reminding Emma of her mother's words: this gemstone cross changes color with the wearer.
And now, she could see a tear stain beside the words "peace and joy."
The airport broadcast repeated the flight information, Emma standing in the bustling hall, feeling like the whole world was spinning.
Lucas' small hand clung tightly to her dress, the fabric wrinkling under his grip.
She looked down at Lucas' tear-swollen eyes, filled with stubbornness and confusion.
When she looked up at Michael, she saw the cracks in his calm expression, his smile stiff and unnatural.
"I'm sorry, Michael." She heard her voice trembling. "I have to take Lucas to see his dad."
As soon as she said it, she felt something break inside her chest.
Michael's pupils shrank to pinpoints, his smile freezing, like someone had hit the pause button.
He stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, his grip so tight her skin immediately reddened. "Emma, have you forgotten how he treated you?"
His voice was low, trembling with suppressed emotion. "Have you forgotten the pain? Those nights you woke up crying, the suffering he caused you."
His Adam's apple bobbed. "Why? Why do you still worry about him even after losing your memory?"
Emma forcefully pulled her hand away, the cross on her wrist making a sharp sound in the noisy airport.
She couldn't bear to look at Michael's hurt expression, only staring at the light reflecting off the floor tiles.
"Seraphine will go back to Sunterra with you first. I'll come soon." She said it without confidence, not even sure if she would really go.
Michael stood there, watching Emma walk away with Lucas in her arms. His fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms, but he felt no pain.
Why? Why, no matter how many times, her heart always leaned towards George?
His gaze fell on his empty hand, still warm from her wrist.
The taxi stopped in front of The Russell Villa as night fully descended.
Emma held the sleeping Lucas, standing outside the ornate iron gate, hesitating to ring the bell.
The cool night breeze blew through her hair, scattering her impulsive decision.
The warm yellow light from the villa seemed inviting in the darkness, yet so unattainable.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
