Chapter 548 Sneaking Away
Meanwhile, Lucas and Seraphine managed to sneak out of the house. Lucas held Seraphine's hand, standing by the curb like a grown-up, trying to flag down a taxi.
"To Sacred Heart Hospital," he said confidently to the driver, his voice steady and mature for his age.
Seraphine clung nervously to Lucas's shirt. "Lucas, are we really gonna find Mom?"
Lucas nodded and pulled a crumpled business card from his pocket. "Last time Mom took me to the hospital, I secretly wrote down her doctor's number."
The taxi stopped at the hospital entrance, and Lucas paid the fare before leading Seraphine straight to the front desk.
"Excuse me, which room is Emma in?" He stood on tiptoe, trying to appear older.
The nurse glanced at the records. "Kids, who are you to the patient?"
"We're her children," Lucas replied calmly. "Mom's been in the hospital for days. We miss her."
The nurse hesitated but softened at their hopeful expressions. "She's in the VIP section on the 18th floor."
The elevator doors opened on the 18th floor, and Lucas held Seraphine's hand as they carefully walked down the hallway, searching for room 1806. Seraphine suddenly stopped and pointed ahead. "Lucas, there!"
Through the slightly open door, they saw Emma lying in bed. Her face was pale, her right hand hooked up to an IV, and her left arm wrapped in bandages, resting with her eyes closed.
"Mom!" Seraphine couldn't hold back and ran inside, breaking free from Lucas's grip.
Emma's eyes snapped open, disbelief washing over her as she saw Lucas and Seraphine. "Seraphine? Lucas? How did you..."
Before she could finish, Lucas and Seraphine were at her bedside. Seraphine hugged Emma's neck tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Mom, you lied! You said you were on a business trip, but you're sick!"
Emma's eyes filled with tears as she struggled to embrace them with her free hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to deceive you."
Lucas stood by the bed, clutching the corner of Emma's blanket, fighting back his own tears. "Mom, what happened to your hand? Does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt when I see you," Emma said softly, stroking Lucas's hair. Suddenly, she realized something. "Wait, how did you get here? Does Grandma know?"
Lucas and Seraphine exchanged guilty looks. Lucas whispered, "We snuck out."
"What?" Emma tried to sit up but winced in pain.
At that moment, the door opened, and George walked in, leaning on a cane. He wore a simple white shirt and black pants.
"Emma, I brought..." He stopped mid-sentence, noticing Lucas and Seraphine. "Lucas and Seraphine?"
"Dad!" Lucas exclaimed, running to George and grabbing his hand.
George smiled warmly, kneeling to hug Lucas. "Lucas? How did you get here?"
Seraphine stood still, confusion written all over her face. "Lucas, why are you calling him Dad? Our dad is Michael."
The room's atmosphere froze. Emma looked anxiously at Seraphine and then at George. George's expression remained calm. He released Lucas and reached out to Seraphine. "Seraphine, come here. Let me hug you too."
Seraphine hesitated but slowly walked over. George gently took her hand and pulled her close.
"Your hand is so cold," Seraphine said, wrapping her small hands around George's. "Mom says cold hands can make you sick."
George's heart softened. "You're very thoughtful, Seraphine."
"Your eyes..." Seraphine tilted her head, waving her hand in front of George's face. "Can you see?"
"Seraphine!" Emma quickly intervened, but George shook his head with a smile.
"It's okay," he said, turning towards Emma and then addressing Seraphine. "No, I can't see."
Seraphine's face scrunched up, and she gently touched George's eyelids. "Does it hurt?"
George's throat tightened. He shook his head. "No, it doesn't hurt."
"Are you scared?" Seraphine asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. "When it's dark, I get scared because I can't see."
George hugged Seraphine, his voice choked with emotion. "Sometimes, but knowing you are here makes it less scary."
Lucas stood nearby and suddenly spoke up. "Dad, I'll protect you! I can be your eyes!"
George couldn't hold back anymore and hugged Lucas and Seraphine tightly. Emma watched, tears silently streaming down her face.
After a while, Seraphine wriggled out of George's embrace and tilted her head. "Uncle George, why does Lucas call you Dad, but I call you Uncle?"
The question pierced Emma's heart. She opened her mouth but couldn't find the words.
George calmly asked, "Seraphine, what do you think you should call me?"
"I don't know," Seraphine said, tugging at her pigtail. "Dad is good to me, but you're good too." She looked up suddenly. "Why do Lucas and I have the same mom but not the same dad?"
Lucas tugged Seraphine's hand. "Seraphine, some things you'll understand when you grow up."
"I don't want to wait!" Seraphine cried out, her voice breaking. "I want to know now! Why does everyone lie to us? Mom said she was on a business trip, Grandma said Mom was busy, and Lucas knows secrets but won't tell me!" Her voice was filled with tears. "You adults always do this!"
Emma's heart ached, and she struggled to get out of bed. "Seraphine."
George quickly pulled Seraphine onto his lap, gently wiping her tears. "Seraphine, you know, there are many kinds of love, just like there are many colors in a rainbow."
Seraphine sniffled, clutching George's shirt. "But why don't Lucas and I have the same dad, and why doesn't Lucas like my dad?"
George's voice trembled slightly. "Because my dad made mistakes and couldn't be with you."
Emma was shocked, gripping the bed sheets tightly. She never expected George to explain it this way.
"What about Michael?" Seraphine asked, blinking her tear-filled eyes.
George took a deep breath. "He loves you, too, just like I do."
Seraphine quieted down, thinking for a moment. "So I have two dads?"
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