Chapter 25 Bastard Coaxes Child and Deceives Ex-Wife
Emily nestled comfortably in Sophia's arms.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she pouted, unable to fathom that an adult would lie to such an adorable child like her.
Just moments ago, he had clearly told her that James and Michael were at home, but now he claimed he didn't know where they were.
Emily looked at him with innocent, accusing eyes, "You lied to me!"
Under her piercing gaze, William's ears turned slightly red. Emily's soft little face puffed up like an angry pufferfish, a sight that gave him a strange sense of déjà vu.
He ruffled Emily's hair and promised, "I'll have James and Michael come play with you on Saturday morning."
Emily's face immediately brightened with a big smile.
She held up two fingers and looked at William expectantly, "For two days."
William nodded, "Alright, two days."
Emily's eyes sparkled with joy as she turned back to hug Sophia's neck, whining, "Mommy, I'm sleepy."
Sophia kissed her cheek, which was as smooth and tender as a peeled egg.
"Let's get you back to bed, sweetheart."
She glanced at William, not saying a word, but her intention to show him out was clear. William got the hint.
Watching William leave, she carried Emily upstairs.
Before bed, Emily snuggled into her arms, looking up and nuzzling her cheek affectionately, her eyes filled with love and dependence.
"Emily loves Mommy."
Sophia's heart melted at her words.
"Mommy loves you too."
After putting Emily to sleep, she checked the surveillance cameras around the house and saw how Emily had made her way to William.
Watching the footage of Emily seeking affection from William, even though she didn't know he was her father, Emily still instinctively trusted and reached out to him.
That's the power of blood ties...
She spent some time on the balcony, clearing her thoughts in the cold breeze, before returning to the room. After warming up in bed, she hugged the peacefully sleeping Emily.
The weekend arrived in no time.
Early in the morning, Emily eagerly awaited James and Michael's arrival.
But as time ticked by, the Smith family's car didn't show up, and James's phone was unreachable.
Emily lay on the living room couch, her little face resting on her hands, eyes fixed on the gate.
She kept turning back to ask, "Are James and Michael here yet?"
Sophia grew worried, wondering if something had happened to them.
Since William had promised to bring James and Michael, she trusted he wouldn't back out at the last minute.
She held Emily in her arms and calmly said, "Emily, don't worry. James and Michael might have been delayed. Let me call and check."
Emily nodded obediently, "I'll wait for James and Michael."
Sophia dialed James's number again, but it was still busy.
After hesitating for a moment, she dialed a number she had memorized two years ago.
The phone rang three times before it was answered.
William's deep voice came through.
She tightened her grip on the phone and identified herself.
"It's Sophia."
William glanced at the unfamiliar number on his phone, paused briefly, and then spoke, "What is it?"
In the background, the sound of doctors making rounds could be heard faintly.
Sophia's heart skipped a beat. Could the kids be sick?
"You promised Emily that you'd bring the boys over today."
William finally remembered.
After two consecutive days of overtime, his headache had worsened. He massaged his temples and apologized.
Sophia urgently asked, "I heard doctors. Are the kids in the hospital? William, don't hide it from me."
She recalled how James had once sat alone on the hospital terrace, small and helpless, a memory that always tugged at her heart.
William heard the anxiety in her voice and explained, "No, it's Alice who was in a car accident. I brought James and Michael to see her."
Sophia's heart settled back into place.
The child in her arms looked up at her expectantly, and Sophia's heart softened. She kissed Emily's cheek.
She spoke to William, "When will you bring James and Michael over?"
The morning passed by.
Emily continued to wait for James and Michael.
Sophia couldn't bear to see her disappointed, "If it's inconvenient for you, I can come pick them up."
William had indeed forgotten due to his busy schedule.
"Today won't work. James and Michael need to go to the Rivera house with me. They'll leave after dinner."
"I'll bring them over tomorrow morning."
Emily buried her face in her hoodie, looking at Sophia's phone with wide eyes, tugging at her sleeve.
Sophia hugged and soothed her, "Emily, James and Michael have something to do today. They'll come play with you tomorrow."
Emily pursed her lips, her eyes turning red, and she muttered into the phone, "William is a liar."
She slipped out of Sophia's arms and ran towards the stairs.
"Emily!"
Sophia quickly dropped the phone and chased after her, scooping her up.
She gently patted her back, "James and Michael really have something to do today. How about we go to the amusement park and ride the carousel?"
Soft-hearted Emily clung to Sophia's collar, crying and shaking her head.
Her little face was flushed from crying, her voice soft and pitiful.
"William lied to me."
Sophia didn't care about anything else and used every trick to calm Emily down. Soon, she fell asleep on her shoulder.
She had cried so hard that her forehead was sweaty and her clothes were slightly damp.
Sophia took Emily upstairs to change her clothes.
Once Emily was sound asleep, she went downstairs to get her phone.
The call hadn't been disconnected.
On the other end, William was still waiting in the corridor.
The sounds from the other side were intermittent.
Emily's crying, Sophia's comforting words, their footsteps upstairs and back down… until Sophia's voice came through the phone again.
Sophia sounded exhausted, but she didn't argue or mock him. She simply said one thing before hanging up.
"William, if you can't keep a promise, don't make it to a child."
The busy signal followed.
William leaned against the hospital corridor wall, his tall figure exuding fatigue, his head throbbing.
His mind replayed the night Emily had reached out for a hug, her excitement about James and Michael's visit.
Her words from the phone echoed in his ears, each one tugging at his heart.
William was a liar.
William lied to me.
He could almost "see" her hanging her head, her pigtails swinging in disappointment.
William stood up straight, his tall frame like a sturdy pine tree.
Thinking of the soft and adorable Emily, his eyes softened. He returned to the room to bid farewell to the Rivera family.
Alice clenched the sheets under the covers, biting her lip and anxiously asked, "William, aren't you staying with me?"
William apologized.
"Take care and rest. If you need anything, contact Tony."
Alice struggled to get out of bed to stop him, but hesitated, fearing his displeasure. She carefully asked, "Where are you going?"
William took James and Michael by the hand and walked towards the door.
"I made a promise to a child at home, but I forgot."
"Now I need to go apologize."