Chapter 24 An unbearable coldness filled her completely . Adrian , who had been holding everything in , suddenly snapped . "My mom is the best ! Don't talk about her like that ! Get out , all of you ! " He was trembling with fury , like a puffed - up kitten , standing guard over sick little Arielle and his hurt mother . Adrian's sudden outburst stunned Carter . " Adrian , you ... " " You get out too ! " Adrian shouted , pointing at the door . "You never take Mom's side . You let people bully her . I don't like you ! " Rhea stood frozen , staring at Adrian . It seemed that her little man had grown up . She pulled Adrian into her arms and said , " I'm okay , sweetie . Don't cry . " But Adrian burst into tears in Rhea's arms . All the fear and helplessness came crashing down the moment he felt safe in her arms . Arielle had fainted , Rhea wasn't there , and Carter didn't protect them . Adrian had been so scared . But Rhea always said that he had to be strong and protect Arielle . So before Rhea arrived , he had kept everyone away from Arielle , except the doctor . He didn't even let Carter get too close . Rhea held him in her arms , comforting him . Her heart ached , yet there was a flicker of comfort in that pain . What was she still clinging to ? The kids she raised had turned out wonderful , That was enough . As for Carter ? She was done . Rhea pulled out her phone and dialed the number that had appeared just that morning . The man's voice came through , low and calm . " Hello ? " It was George . " I'm at a private hospital in the city center . I need to take the kids to another hospital . Could you send someone to pick us up ? " Rhea reached out to him because she knew that Carter would never let her leave with the kids alone if she tried . George replied , " Give me ten minutes . " With that , he hung up . Carter stared at Rhea and asked , " Where are you taking them ? " Lauren looked scared . " Rhea , Arielle is already sick . Please don't drag her around again . I'm begging you . " She was talking as if Rhea were the bad guy again . Rhea didn't even spare Lauren a glance . She looked straight at Carter . " We're still married . That makes me their legal mother . I have every right to take them . " Lauren grew flustered , and her eyes brimmed with tears . " But I'm their birth mother ! " +25 BONUS Chapter 24 Rhea continued to ignore her . " I'm the one who raised them . I care about them . I won't let anything happen to them . So if you have a shred of humanity left , move . " Arielle had always been delicate . Rhea had taken years of care to help her grow stronger . She knew that if this fever persisted , it could become serious . The only way to keep them safe now was to get them away from Carter and Lauren . Carter frowned as Lauren clung to his arm , crying . " Carter , they're my kids . How can you let her just take them ? Arielle's burning up . I feel like I'm dying inside ! " Rhea scooped Arielle into her arms while Adrian grabbed her sleeve and followed closely . Carter didn't move . 3 Meanwhile , Lauren rushed forward and blocked her path . Her eyes were red as she said , " I'm their birth mother . " Rhea's gaze was steady and calm . At that moment , she seemed to be covered in sharp thorns . " Tell it to a judge . They're six . They can choose . What difference does being the birth mother make ? " Her final words hit Lauren like a gut punch . She staggered backward . But before Rhea could even make it three steps , Carter reached out instinctively to stop her . " Who's picking you up ? Do I know him ? " 1 He had heard a man's voice on the phone . However , Rhea didn't answer . She simply shoved his hand aside, walked right past him , and left the ward with the kids .