Chapter 26 He clearly understood why Rhea had reached out . Dealing with Carter was nothing to him . She said , " Thank you . " George nodded and left . His goodwill didn't pressure Rhea much . This was one of his personal strengths . But when George set his mind to something , his forcefulness was more than most people could handle . Later that night , Rhea dozed off beside the bed . +25 BONUS At the Jamison residence , after dropping Lauren and Chloe off at their new place , Carter didn't stay . He went home , expecting Rhea and the kids to return too . But deep into the night , there was still no sign of them . Carter's expression darkened . He showered and tried to rest , but the empty , silent house made him uneasy . The sight of Rhea pacing back and forth was gone . By the time morning came and Carter woke up , the usual sounds of the children moving around on time were nowhere to be heard . The silence was too much . Irritated , he went downstairs and asked , " Has Rhea come back yet ? " Alisha shook her head . " No. " Just then , his driver called . " Mr. Jamison , we can't trace that car . Its information is kept completely under wraps . All we know for sure is that it came from Draventh . " They couldn't trace it ? Who had that kind of secrecy ? Carter frowned and wondered how Rhea would know someone like that It was 8:00 am at the hospital , and Rhea still hadn't woken up . Arielle sat on the couch receiving IV fluids , careful not to wake Rhea . Meanwhile , Adrian showed Arielle the toy George had given him the night before . " Adrian , is Mr. Snider nice ? " Arielle asked curiously . Adrian nodded vigorously . " He's very nice . He's good - looking and not scary at all . And he brought those gifts for you . Dad never played with me like this . He's always busy . " At that moment , someone entered the ward . George , dressed all in black with a spotless shirt and trousers , had neatly trimmed hair and eyes that seemed to see right through everything . Noticing that Rhea was still asleep , he softened his footsteps and headed toward the two kids . 1/3 Chapter 26 +25 BONUS " Mr. Snider , " Adrian greeted him . George stopped and glanced at Rhea . " Her back will hurt if she sleeps like that . I'll have someone move her to the bed . Is that okay ? " He was respecting the kids by asking . This mutual regard made the siblings comfortable . As the older sibling , Arielle replied , " Yes , Mr. Snider . Thank you . " George quickly called for help . But the bodyguards were all men , and nurses might not have the strength to gently lift Rhea . After thinking it through , George walked over himself . With swift , effortless moves , he lifted the sleeping Rhea from the edge of the bed , turned , and gently laid her down . When Rhea frowned , George immediately stopped . After a few seconds , seeing that Rhea hadn't woken up , he pulled the blanket up over her and stepped away . Arielle's eyes sparkled . She thought that George was an amazing man ! It was no wonder Adrian kept praising him . " Mr. Snider , breakfast is here , " one bodyguard said softly . George nodded , signaling the food to be placed near the kids . " Your mom's still asleep . You two should eat first , " George said . Arielle's hand was tied to the IV , making it hard for her to eat , so Adrian helped feed her . The siblings looked out for each other . " Mr. Snider . " Arielle suddenly spoke up . George sat down , rested his elbows on his knees , and leaned forward slightly . As he tried to lower his voice , a subtle tremor crept into his tone as he asked , " What's wrong ? " " Do you like our mom ? " George was rendered speechless . The two kids stared at him wide - eyed . George chuckled and said , " I'm like your mom's brother . " " So you're our uncle ? " Arielle was excited . " We have an uncle ? " George thought that if Nathan heard that , he would probably explode right then and there . He said , " Of course you do . But I'm not your biological uncle . I'm just a friend of your real uncle . " Adrian asked , " Where is our uncle ? We've never met him . " Ever since they could remember , they had never met any of Rhea's family . They thought that they had no maternal grandparents , aunts , or uncles . George said simply , " He lives far away . He'll come someday . " It was far , indeed . Colburn was in the south , while Draventh was up north . By this time of year , Draventh was already donning coats to welcome the autumn breeze , while Colburn still sweltered with rain and blazing sun . 2/3 Chapter 26 Draventh's heavy snow had never touched Colburn . +25 BONUS Rhea , restless in her sleep , soon woke up . Still groggy , she looked around for the kids but didn't see them . She got out of bed , only to find George sitting with the two children , watching cartoons together . It was a sight she rarely saw from Carter . Carter was busy back then , and even now , the most he did was sit by the kids ' bedsides at night . She admitted that even though Carter cared , but not all fatherly love was the same . " Arielle , why are you sitting on Mr. Snider's lap ? " George was holding Arielle . Arielle was sick , and naturally , she grew close to the uncle she had just met . She jumped down when she heard Rhea's voice . " He's not Mr. Snider , Mom . He's Uncle George . " Uncle George ? Well , that wasn't entirely wrong . " We have to go home after the IV is done , " Rhea said . " Go home ? " " Tomorrow's your birthday , remember ? " Rhea's gaze lingered on the kids , heavy with reluctance . She would leave after celebrating their birthday .