Chapter 487 Antonio Has No Home
Snapping back to reality, Sarah mustered a weak smile, "Not at all, Dad. I just didn't want to interrupt your lively chat with him."
"Look at you, getting all jealous," Kevin teased as he brought Sarah and Antonio's hands together. "Seeing you two this close makes my heart rest easy. My greatest wish is to see you living a happy and fulfilled life."
Sarah felt a bittersweet ache in her heart. Kevin's words were so tender and intimate, like those of a real father. Although she had resolved to cut ties with Antonio, she couldn't bear to shatter the old man's dreams.
Besides, Kevin wasn't in a state to handle any news that would upset him .
Lifting her gaze slowly, she looked into Antonio's eyes, alight with hope, and finally said, "Dad, don't worry; we're fine. Everything will be okay."
Antonio's heart pinched at her words; he knew that Sarah was being considerate of Kevin's health. How wonderful would it be if her assurances were true?
In a moment of boldness, Antonio gripped her hand tightly.
Before she could pull away, he pulled her into his arms and smiled, promising Kevin directly, "Dad, rest assured; I'll make sure Sarah is happy."
Sarah felt somewhat uneasy inside, but in front of Kevin, she couldn't show that her relationship with Antonio was already fractured.
Kevin, oblivious to the tension, nodded contentedly; his eyes full of relief.
The three of them strolled through the garden while Antonio actively engaged in conversation with Kevin. It had been a while since Kevin had been this spirited, and that comforted Sarah.
Their talk lulled until they touched on the subject of a downtown restaurant. Kevin became childish, insisting on trying it out.
"Dad, you need to focus on your recovery," Sarah firmly responded. "Once you're better, I'll take you to enjoy every delicacy New York has to offer, but not today."
The hospital was quite a distance from the city center. What if something happened?
There was no predicting if Kevin's health would hold up.
Kevin stopped his wheelchair and looked pitifully at Sarah, "I just want to go have a taste, darling. Take me there; I promise I won't be any trouble."
"No, we can't leave the hospital. Can you just wait for a few days?" Sarah's voice was a soothing whisper.
Kevin shifted his gaze towards Antonio, a shift from pleading to a stern warning in his eyes. It was as if he was silently demanding, ‘If you don't take me out, forget about marrying my daughter!’
Antonio replied swiftly, "Dad, I'll take you."
"Antonio!" Sarah’s voice carried a sharp rebuke.
With a placating smile, Antonio said, "Sarah, if Dad wants to go out for a bit, let's just take him. He hasn't had fresh air in ages; it's not good for anyone to be cooped up like this. Who knows? A little walk might do wonders."
Chuckling, Kevin patted Antonio's arm in a hurry, signaling for his son to wheel him back to the room to get changed.
"Exactly! Antonio, let's move," he chimed in cheerfully.
Obligingly, Antonio dashed off knowing Sarah would inevitably follow.
Boiling with frustration, Sarah thought to herself, ‘So he's found a way to get under my skin, has he?’
Antonio quickly helped Kevin back into the room. He swapped the hospital gown for street clothes and thoughtfully added a mask and hat to avoid detection by the hospital staff.
Blocking the doorway, Sarah made one last attempt, "Dad, we can't go. If the doctors catch us, they'll have you back on an IV in no time."
Looking pitifully at Sarah, Kevin implored, "How long has it been since I stepped out of the hospital? I just want a taste of something good. Please, let me have this. Would you really have me lie awake craving it?"
Seeing Kevin's wretched expression softened Sarah's resolve.
Noticing the softening on Sarah's face, Antonio quickly wheeled out Kevin as sneakily as a cat burglar.
Defeated, Sarah cursed Antonio under her breath and grabbed Kevin's emergency medication as they left. At least with her there, she could ensure some level of safety.
Soon, the trio arrived at the restaurant Kevin had been craving to eat at. Thankfully, it was not too crowded, so Antonio secured a private room.
Kevin hadn’t had such delicious food in a long time; he ate better than he ever did at the hospital, which put Sarah somewhat at ease.
What truly irked her, though, was Antonio's teasing offer to feed her in front of Kevin. Keeping up appearances, she couldn’t refuse time and again. So, she endured, wincing with each bite from Antonio's hand while smiling sweetly, all the while delivering stealthy kicks to him under the table.
The meal was a trial of patience, but Kevin's delight made it bearable for Sarah.
After the meal, Antonio wheeled him to the park next to the restaurant for a stroll. Like a child, Kevin quickly exhausted his energy and fell asleep in his wheelchair. Antonio then carefully lifted Kevin back into the car and safely returned him to the hospital.
After calling the doctor for a check-up and ensuring everything was fine, Antonio tried to appease Sarah, "Sarah, the doctor says it's okay. Going out for a walk occasionally is good for his recovery."
Sarah glared back at him furiously and punched him hard, "Antonio, aren't you going too far?! Using an old man to get close to me? Do you have no decency?!"
The light in Antonio's eyes slowly dimmed. "I’m sorry, Sarah; I... I didn't use him. I know you genuinely care for him as an elder, regardless of his status. So, I just wanted you, and the people you care about, to be happy. That's all I can do... Look, we just went out to eat, and we were like a family, weren't we? I know you've always longed for a family of your own, and so have I. Your biological father is missing, and, actually, I am just like you. In this world, I only have a blood connection with our three children, so I've always been grateful to you, and I owe you. You gave me a family, but I messed it up..."
Antonio's speech became disjointed as he spoke.
Sarah was also saddened. Indeed, she had almost forgotten that Antonio was not a true member of the Valencia family, whether it was that scheming grandfather, the deceased Valencia family elder brother, or even the elder brother's child, Ryan. None of them were Antonio's true relatives.
His origins remained unknown.
Sarah took a deep breath, "What are you trying to say?"
Gathering his courage, Antonio gently tugged at Sarah's wrist, "Sarah, I apologize for today. But may I show you something?"
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