The evening at the Montago mansion was filled with warmth and laughter. Diego's family had gathered for dinner, and it was the first time Jackson and Emily were introduced to Diego's siblings, Sophia and Alex. They were both eager to meet the kids, and upon learning that they were Diego's children, their faces lit up with genuine interest.
As the family sat down to eat, Sophia and Alex quickly warmed up to the children, asking them about their likes and hobbies. Jackson and Emily, ever eager to make new friends, shared stories from their lives, their faces bright with enthusiasm. The conversation flowed easily, with laughter echoing through the grand dining room.
Diego sat back, watching the interaction with a quiet sense of pride. His family—his real family—was finally complete. And despite the rocky start with Alice, he was grateful that his kids were getting the chance to experience this warmth.
After dinner, Diego escorted the kids to their rooms, which were conveniently located next to each other. As he was about to leave Emily's room, she called out to him, her voice soft and full of innocence.
"Daddy, would you read me a story?" she asked, her big eyes wide with trust.
Diego's heart softened at the request. He smiled gently and nodded, pulling out a storybook that he had specially bought for her, one with a classic tale. As he began reading Beauty and the Beast, Emily's eyelids grew heavy, and she snuggled deeper into her blankets. The sound of Diego's voice, calm and steady, was a soothing lullaby, and soon, she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
The next few days passed quickly as the kids settled into their new routine at Regency International Academy. The school, known for its elite status and high academic standards, was a world apart from their old life. But Jackson and Emily adapted quickly, making friends and excelling in their studies. They were happy—at least, Diego hoped they were. He made sure to be involved in every aspect of their lives, from school drop-offs to picking out their clothes. Everything was moving so fast, but for the first time in his life, Diego felt like he was part of something truly meaningful.
When the weekend arrived, Diego took the kids to Alice, just as they had agreed. As always, Alice was overjoyed to see them. She enveloped them in tight hugs, bombarding them with questions about their weekend.
"How was it? Did you get enough to eat? Did you like the house? How did you sleep? Are they treating you well?" Her voice was filled with concern, and her eyes never left the children as she spoke.
The kids giggled and reassured her, "Mommy, it's okay. Daddy takes care of us. If he wasn't treating us well, you know we'd tell you, right? So, don't worry!"
Alice let out a deep breath, her expression softening. She smiled, knowing the kids were okay, but she couldn't help but feel the void of their absence.
As they spent the day together, Alice made sure to fill it with fun activities and games. Brenda, ever the supportive friend, joined in, keeping the day light-hearted. They all laughed and played, even if the underlying tension with Diego remained.
As the sun began to set on Sunday, Alice took the kids to the restaurant where Diego had asked them to meet. She didn't waste any time saying goodbye, leaning down to kiss them both on their cheeks.
"Be good, okay?" she whispered, her voice soft with affection.
"Mommy, we're okay," Emily said, giving her a big hug. "We'll see you soon."
Alice smiled and nodded, then hurriedly turned to leave. She didn't want to linger—she didn't want to face Diego any longer than necessary.
When Diego arrived, there was a brief exchange of glances between him and Alice, but Alice didn't waste a second. She turned away and quickly left, her back stiff and tense.
Diego's eyes followed her as she walked out of the restaurant, but he didn't react. His attention quickly shifted to the kids, who were already excitedly chatting about their time with their mother.
"Hey, kids! How was your weekend with Mom?" Diego asked warmly, his voice full of interest.
The kids immediately started chattering, recounting their adventures with Alice. Diego listened intently, his heart swelling with pride as they shared everything from silly games to their mother's comforting presence. He found himself smiling—he was finally a part of their lives, and it felt right.
Later that evening, after dinner and bedtime stories, the house settled into a quiet calm. Diego tucked the kids in, but at midnight, Emily's soft cries echoed through the halls. Diego, half asleep, was jolted awake by the sound of her distress. He rushed to her room, only to find her burning with fever, her tiny body trembling uncontrollably.
Jackson, ever protective, was by her side, looking terrified. "Daddy, Emily's really hot! What's happening to her?"
Diego's heart skipped a beat. His mind raced as he knelt beside Emily, feeling the heat radiating off her. "It's okay, kiddo," he murmured, trying to keep his voice calm. "We're going to get you better."
He quickly summoned the maids, who rushed in to assist with remedies. But despite their efforts, Emily's condition didn't improve. Panic started to creep into Diego's chest, and he knew there was no time to waste.
"Dad, you should call Mom," Jackson suggested, his voice filled with concern. "She knows how to help."
Without hesitation, Diego dialed Alice's number, hoping she would answer. When she finally picked up, he explained the situation, his voice tight with urgency.
At first, Alice didn't seem to believe him. She thought it was just the kids being scared. "She's fine, Diego. Just calm her down."
But Diego knew this was different. Emily's condition was worsening, and time was slipping away. "I'm telling you, Alice, it's serious. She's burning up. We need your help."
Before Alice could respond, the call dropped.
Diego was about to call again when he saw Alice running towards the mansion, breathless and frantic. Without a word, she rushed past him, straight to Emily's side.
"Baby, it's Mommy. Don't cry," Alice soothed, but Emily's cries only grew louder, her little body wracked with pain.
Alice's usual comforting words didn't work this time. Her brow furrowed with worry. "Do you have any Ibuprofen?" she asked the maids, her voice sharp with urgency.
A maid quickly brought the medication, and Alice administered it to Emily. She sat beside her daughter, gently stroking her hair and whispering soft reassurances. Slowly, Emily's cries began to quiet, though her fever was still dangerously high.
Diego stood at the door, watching as Alice worked. There was a softness in her touch, an instinct he couldn't deny. His heart clenched with emotion, and for a brief moment, he felt helpless.
"We need to get her to the hospital," Alice said firmly, her voice trembling with fear. "She's not out of danger yet."
A car was quickly arranged, and they rushed Emily to Leo's hospital. Upon arrival, Leo and his medical team immediately took charge, running tests and administering treatment. The tension in the air was palpable, as Diego, Alice, and Jackson waited anxiously in the sterile hallway.
Inside the ward, Emily was hooked up to various machines, her temperature finally starting to drop. Diego sat beside Alice, who was holding Emily's hand tightly.
"Her fever was dangerously high," Leo said as he emerged from the ward, his face grim. "If you'd waited much longer, things could have gone much worse. You were right to call for help, Diego."
Diego nodded, still shaken. His eyes flickered to Alice, who was sitting beside Emily, her face pale with exhaustion. "I didn't know… I didn't know what to do."
Leo gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "It's alright, man. You're learning. It's hard, but you'll get the hang of it."
Back in the ward, Alice was exhausted, her body slumped in the chair beside Emily's bed. Jackson had fallen asleep on the sofa, and Alice had covered him with a blanket. Emily, though still weak, had calmed down. As Alice softly hummed a lullaby, the little girl gave her a weak smile.
"Mama, I'm fine," Emily whispered. "It's just a fever."
Alice's eyes filled with tears as she whispered back, "I'm sorry, baby. I just couldn't bear to see you like this. You know I love you, right?"
Emily nodded, her eyes fluttering closed.
As Alice continued to hum, she drifted off to sleep, her daughter's tiny hand still clasped tightly in hers. Diego quietly entered the room, seeing Alice asleep at Emily's bedside. He stood there for a moment, torn between anger and concern, before gently placing a blanket over Alice.
With a soft sigh, Diego turned to leave the hospital, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Tonight had been a terrifying reminder of how fragile life could be. But it was also a reminder that he was capable of loving someone beyond himself—he just hadn't