Chapter 574 Don't Mind Me
Michael's eyes turned icy cold in an instant. "He dares to show up here? If it weren't for him, Emma wouldn't be so badly hurt!"
Celeste gently held Michael's trembling hand. "Michael, take a breath. I know you hate him, but right now, the most important thing is Emma's recovery."
"I wish I could kill him," Michael's voice was low but filled with intense hatred. "If it weren't for what he did to Emma back then, if it weren't for him almost killing her this time..."
Celeste sighed. "But that would break Emma's heart." She looked directly into Michael's eyes. "You love her, so you'll respect her choice, even if that choice is George."
Michael turned his face away sharply, but Celeste saw the ruthlessness in his eyes.
Indeed, Michael was still the same as before. He would use any means necessary to get what he wanted.
"Celeste, I told you, what happened that day, we both pretend it never existed. You're just the sister I raised. My business doesn't need your interference."
"Your love for Emma is your business. My love for you is mine. I can't control you, and you can't control me!"
In the hospital room, Emma heard the faint sounds of arguing but couldn't make out any words.
In a daze, she recalled the blurry dreams she had while unconscious, the names she kept calling out, and the first person she wanted to see when she woke up.
When the door was pushed open again, Michael had regained his composure. He saw Emma's eyes open and was so overjoyed he could barely speak. "Emma! You're awake!"
Emma gave him a weak smile. "Michael, thank you for staying with me."
Michael quickly walked to the bedside, wanting to hold her hand but afraid of hurting her. He ended up gently brushing her hair. "How do you feel? Is there any place that hurts more? I'll call the doctor right away."
Seeing Michael's flustered state, Emma felt a pang in her heart. She noticed Celeste standing at the door, not coming in, but watching Michael's back with a gentle gaze.
"Who is she?" Emma asked softly.
Michael glanced back. "That's Celeste, my..."
Because of that night, Michael could no longer say with a clear conscience that Celeste was his sister. Normal people don't sleep with their sisters.
He was guilty!
Before Michael could finish, Celeste walked in with a bright smile. "Hi! I'm Celeste, Michael's adopted sister from Sunterra." She rearranged the bouquet of lilies she was holding and placed it in the vase by the bed. "I just came from Sunterra to Lakeside Haven. I heard you were hurt and came to visit."
Emma was slightly taken aback but then smiled warmly. "Thank you, Celeste." She noticed Celeste calling her "sister-in-law" and instinctively looked at Michael, seeing his ears turn slightly red.
"You're welcome." Celeste sat by the bed, carefully tucking in Emma's blanket. "I've always wondered what kind of sister-in-law Michael would find for me. She must be the strongest and most beautiful woman in the world. Turns out, I was right."
Michael cleared his throat. "Celeste, stop talking nonsense."
Celeste playfully winked. "I'm not talking nonsense. Sister-in-law, you don't know, Michael's study is full of your photos, even his phone wallpaper..."
"Celeste!" Michael's voice carried a rare note of embarrassment.
Emma watched the interaction between the siblings, feeling both touched and conflicted. She could sense Celeste's admiration for Michael and Michael's affection for Celeste. This pure familial love reminded her of herself and Seraphine.
Just as the atmosphere was warming, the door suddenly burst open, and two small figures rushed in.
"Mom!" Seraphine, like a joyful little bird, darted towards the bed but was stopped by Michael just in time.
"Seraphine, Mom is hurt. Be gentle," Michael gently reminded.
Seraphine immediately slowed down, carefully leaning on the bed, her big eyes filled with tears. "Mom, does it hurt? I'll blow on it for you."
Emma's heart warmed, and she gently stroked Seraphine's cheek. "Mom doesn't hurt. Seeing Seraphine makes everything better."
Lucas stood a bit further away, his gaze shifting between Michael and Celeste with a hint of caution. Lucas was more mature than his peers, especially after the family upheaval, always keeping his distance from strangers.
Celeste keenly noticed Lucas's wariness. She crouched down to meet his eyes. "Hi there. I'm Celeste. You can call me Celeste."
Lucas didn't respond, just took a step back, hiding behind George. At some point, George had already entered the room, his face pale but determined to bring the kids to see Emma.
George's gaze met Michael's in the air, and sparks flew instantly. The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.
Celeste stood up, subtly positioning herself in front of Michael, her face still adorned with a sweet smile. "You must be Mr. Russell. I've heard so much about you."
George gave her a cold glance without responding, walking straight to Emma's bedside. "Emma, are you feeling better?" His voice was incredibly gentle, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.
Emma nodded lightly, her eyes unconsciously following Seraphine and Lucas. She saw Seraphine already curiously approaching Celeste, while Lucas still kept his distance.
"Your dress is so pretty!" Seraphine innocently tugged at Celeste's dress, her eyes full of envy. "Like a princess!"
Celeste happily twirled around. "Thank you, little princess! When you grow up, I'll buy you an even prettier dress and take you to the amusement park, okay?"
"Okay!" Seraphine cheered, clapping her hands, completely captivated by this suddenly appearing beautiful woman.
Lucas frowned, whispering to George. "Dad, I don't know her."
George comfortingly patted Lucas's head, his gaze wary as he looked at Celeste. "Ms. Phillips, right? Forgive me, but the kids aren't familiar with you yet. It might not be appropriate for them to get too close."
Celeste's smile froze for a moment but quickly returned to normal. "Mr. Russell, you're overthinking. I just wanted to take the kids to the nearby children's park for a while so their mom can rest."
Celeste emphasized the word "mom."
"No need," George refused firmly. "I'll take them myself."
A flicker of displeasure crossed Celeste's eyes, but she quickly replaced it with a bright smile. "Perfect, we can go together then."
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