Chapter 30 Her Bed Is Dirty
The disdain she felt was palpable, spreading throughout her body. She thought her bed was filthy.
Last night, she stayed by Emily's side, using various treatments to bring her fever down.
She was so focused on Emily that she didn't notice her phone had died. When she finally turned it on, she saw the photos sent by the butler.
Sophia noticed a message from James on her phone and was about to reply when her assistant rushed over.
"Ms. Johnson, Emily's awake."
Sophia hurried back to the lab's hospital room.
As she walked, she sent a voice message, knowing that the kids were at the Johnson Villa and that William would ensure their safety.
Emily had woken up after a night of fever. Seeing Sophia, she immediately pouted and reached out for a hug.
Sophia held Emily close, kissing her forehead and cheeks. The worry that had weighed on her all night finally eased.
"Emily, don't be scared. Mommy's here."
The child clung tightly to her neck, holding on with surprising strength. Sophia didn't pull away, allowing Emily to hold on as tightly as she needed.
She walked around the hospital room, holding Emily, who nuzzled her neck with her soft, chubby cheeks. Emily's voice was still weak from her illness.
"Mommy..."
Though her fever had broken, Emily was still a bit warm. Sick children tend to be extra clingy, and Emily's hands never let go of Sophia.
After soothing her for a while, Emily fell asleep on Sophia's shoulder. Sophia tried to lay her down on the hospital bed, but Emily wouldn't let go.
Sophia had no choice but to take off her shoes and lie down with Emily.
Having stayed up all night, Sophia soon fell asleep, holding the soft, warm Emily in her arms.
Emily woke up once more in the middle of the night. She didn't cry or fuss. Seeing her mother sleeping beside her, she carefully kissed Sophia's cheek before snuggling back into her arms, falling asleep with a satisfied smile.
Meanwhile, at the Johnson Villa.
William woke up to find the sky already darkening.
He had slept exceptionally well, free from nightmares, and felt rejuvenated.
Just as he was about to contact Tony to arrange work, he saw a message on his phone.
It was a voice message from Sophia.
"James, I'm really sorry. Emily got sick, and I didn't notice my phone had died while we were at the hospital. You and Michael take care of yourselves. Once Emily recovers, I'll bring her back to see you."
James, who had just woken up, with his hair in disarray, rubbed his sleepy eyes. Hearing Sophia's voice message, he immediately perked up.
"Dad, I think I heard Mom's voice."
William handed him the phone, playing the message several times until James was somewhat reassured, though still worried about Emily's health.
"Dad, Emily is sick..."
Confirming that Sophia and Emily hadn't been in a car accident, James and Michael finally felt relieved.
To ensure they could see Sophia and Emily as soon as possible, James and Michael pleaded with William to let them stay at the Johnson Villa for the next few days.
With the Johnson family’s butler, maids, and bodyguards, everything they needed was there.
William knew that whether James and Michael stayed at the Johnson Villa or the Smith Mansion, it made no difference. The butler would always bring bodyguards to pick them up from school, ensuring their safety.
Sophia had hired exceptional bodyguards, whose skills William had witnessed in Rain Village.
William realized that Sophia had likely made all the arrangements for taking full custody of the children.
To keep the kids from feeling lonely, William would come over in the evenings to have dinner with James and Michael, staying until they fell asleep before leaving.
Because Emily's fever had come on suddenly, Sophia stayed with her in the lab's hospital room for five days until she fully recovered before taking her home.
The butler had informed Sophia about James and Michael staying in her bedroom and that William had been coming over to have dinner with the kids.
Returning to the Johnson Villa on a Friday evening, she arrived just in time for dinner.
James and Michael, playing with building blocks in the living room, turned around immediately when they heard the door. This had become a common occurrence over the past few days.
This time, they finally saw the person they had been longing for.
"Mom!" James and Michael called out in unison.
Sophia paused while changing her shoes, her eyes welling up as she looked at the two children. She quickly turned away to wipe her tears, then smiled and nodded at them.
"James, Michael, I'm back."
Emily, seeing James and Michael, immediately wriggled out of Sophia's arms, calling their names as she ran to hug them.
James and Michael caught her instantly.
They remembered Sophia's words on the phone: Emily had been sick.
"Emily, are you feeling better?" James asked, looking her over from head to toe, finding no injuries.
Michael also checked her over, his concerned eyes making Emily feel closer to him.
Today, Emily wore a light green dress, a pink candy bag slung across her shoulder, her shiny hair falling over her shoulders, and her bangs making her eyes sparkle even more. She looked adorable.
Sophia took her luggage upstairs, unpacked, and then decided to have the maids change the sheets and pillowcases.
When she came back downstairs, she saw William playing with the three kids.
He had taken off his suit jacket, and his white shirt sleeves were casually rolled up.
Sophia had changed into clean, comfortable clothes. As soon as she came down the stairs, the three kids surrounded her.
They hugged her and shouted in unison, "Mom!"
She knelt, kissed each of them, and led them to the dining room.
From the butler, she learned that William had been coming over for dinner with James and Michael, staying until they fell asleep before leaving.
"James, Michael, eat some meat," Emily said, sitting in her high chair, enjoying her meal and offering pieces of meat to James and Michael.
Sophia watched Emily's hearty appetite, smiling as she wiped the food off Emily's cheeks and mouth.
"Eat slowly, there's plenty for everyone."
Emily held her special little spoon, her big round eyes turning into crescents as she smiled, looking utterly adorable.
She turned to the others and said, "You guys eat more, too."
Seeing Emily enjoying her meal, James and Michael also ate more than usual.
William quietly took note of this.
William and Sophia both served the kids, playing their roles as parents.
If only time could stop at this moment, James and Michael both thought.
With the weekend coming up, James and Michael could stay.
Before leaving, William asked about the car accident. Sophia mentioned that someone was investigating it, though she had a suspect in mind. She just lacked evidence.
Her life was simple, and she never made enemies. The only person who saw her as a threat was Alice.
This woman wanted her gone.
The look in Alice's eyes that day had been even more hostile than before.
William, sensing her change in expression, asked, "Do you have someone in mind?"
Sophia heard his deep, attractive voice in her ear.