Chapter 74
Caroline shot back, "Look, just give us some space to process this, okay?"
Nathan felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He thought he’d handled everything as delicately as possible, so why was he still getting the cold shoulder?
"Ryan, let's go," Caroline said, seizing the moment to leave.
Ryan gave Nathan a complicated look, sighed, and then trailed after Caroline.
Nathan watched Sophie cry, feeling helpless. He didn't dare to stop them and could only watch them leave with a heavy heart.
Just as Ryan was about to step out, he turned back and gave Nathan a look that spoke volumes, but Nathan couldn't quite figure it out.
Jack drove Caroline's family home, bringing a ton of kids' stuff—snacks, supplements, toys and so on. It almost filled up half of Sarah's living room, leaving her stunned.
Sarah looked baffled. "What's all this?"
Caroline, feeling uneasy, slumped on the sofa and closed her eyes, not wanting to talk.
Sarah turned to Sophie for answers. Sophie, the chatterbox of the family, didn't hold back.
"Is Nathan sick or something?" Sarah asked.
Sophie shook her head. "No, he's not sick. He's just... different."
"Different how?" Sarah was confused.
"He's not my dad anymore; he's my dad's brother now," Sophie said, starting to cry again.
"Sweetie, don't cry," Sarah said, even more puzzled.
"He says he's our uncle," Sophie sniffled.
Sarah suddenly got it. "You don't seem too happy about that, huh?"
Sophie puffed her cheeks and nodded slightly.
"Why?" Sarah was curious.
Even Caroline opened her eyes, waiting for an answer.
Sophie looked at Caroline and stayed quiet.
Sarah pieced it together. She remembered when Ryan and Sophie suggested finding a boyfriend for Caroline. Nathan had been their top pick, but now he was their dad's brother, which was a total letdown for Sophie.
Thinking about it, Sarah couldn't help but laugh. It was a pretty crazy situation.
"Did you see your dad? What's he like?" Sarah asked.
At the mention of "dad," Sophie got even more upset. "We haven't seen him, but he's from Stellaria."
This made Sophie's eyes well up with tears.
"From Stellaria?" Sarah was just as surprised. "Nathan's brother is a foreigner? That doesn't add up."
"Daddy's definitely not as handsome as Nathan," Sophie said, distressed.
Caroline, who had been upset, was now amused by Sophie. She finally got why Sophie was so worried. Sophie was afraid her new dad wouldn't be as good-looking as Nathan.
Sarah nudged Caroline. "What's so funny? What's going on?"
Caroline waved her hand, signaling Ryan and Sophie to go to their room. This conversation wasn't for kids.
Ryan and Sophie obediently started gathering their things to head to their room. Sophie, trying to be sneaky, slipped a piece of chocolate into her bag. But Ryan caught her and, without a word, took the chocolate out and put it back on the table. "Eating chocolate at night will give you cavities," he said flatly.
Sophie glanced at Caroline, hoping for some backup, but Caroline just nodded in agreement with Ryan. Defeated, Sophie followed Ryan to their room.
Once the kids were gone, Sarah couldn't wait to ask, "What's going on? How did Nathan's brother suddenly show up in the picture?"
"I have no idea. The paternity test says Ryan and Sophie are actually Nathan's brother's kids. It's like I'm living in a soap opera," Caroline sighed.
"How could Nathan's brother be from Stellaria and end up here with you?" Sarah's bluntness cut through the confusion.
"Can you be a little more sensitive?" Caroline frowned.
"We're just talking here. Spill it!" Sarah urged.
"Nathan's brother is named Nick. They're supposedly twins. Nick works in Stellaria; he's not from there. Ryan and Sophie got it mixed up," Caroline explained.
"Got it," Sarah said, finally understanding.
Caroline rubbed her temples. "Nathan wants to take Ryan and Sophie away. What am I supposed to do?"
"Why? On what grounds?" Sarah asked, incredulous.
"Exactly! I gave birth to and raised Ryan and Sophie. What right does he have to take them?" Caroline's frustration was boiling over.
"What did Nathan say?" Sarah asked, trying to calm her down.
"He just wants to take the kids," Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Nathan doesn't seem like the type to be unreasonable," Sarah said, puzzled.
"Are you kidding me? Whose side are you on?" Caroline exaggeratedly exclaimed.
"Yours, obviously. I mean, did Nathan actually say he wants to take the kids?" Sarah clarified.
"He didn't say it outright, but it was clear. He said the kids need to grow up in the Kennedy Family," Caroline replied.
Sarah nodded thoughtfully. "That kinda makes sense. The Kennedy Family is loaded. Ryan and Sophie would have a better life there. Plus, once the kids recognize their dad, you'll be part of the Kennedy Family too. No more struggling; you'll just enjoy life."
Sarah's eyes lit up as she spoke.
"You're too naive," Caroline said, giving Sarah a helpless look.
"How am I naive?" Sarah asked, confused.
"Nathan and I have never gotten along. Every time we meet, it's a disaster. Now we're supposed to be family, but do you think that means he'll accept me? Didn't you see how he looked at me, like I was from another planet? He has no plans for my future. He just wants to throw some money at me and take Ryan and Sophie back to the Kennedy Family," Caroline explained angrily.
"If that's the case, how much money did he offer?" Sarah asked, curious.
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