Chapter 27 Outside the hospital , Adrian waved enthusiastically to George . " Goodbye , Uncle George ! " Arielle tilted her head up . " Uncle George , will you come see us again ? Tomorrow's our birthday . Can we invite you ? 11 Rhea quickly cut in , saying , " Arielle , George is very busy . " It wasn't that she didn't want George to come , but Carter and Lauren would definitely be there . If George saw her current situation , her parents and Nathan would find out too . That wasn't just embarrassing . It would also make her family worry . She wanted to handle this herself . George gave Rhea a meaningful look before lying to the kids . " I have to go on a business trip tomorrow , but your gifts will be delivered on time . " The siblings seemed to really like this kind of adult because Carter had never spent time with them in that way . The last time he might have done something similar , they hadn't even been able to walk yet . Arielle and Adrian looked disappointed . " Okay , then ... We'll be leaving now . " George smiled and said , " Goodbye ." Once the kids were in the car , he asked , " Are you heading home ? " Rhea lowered her gaze and let out a silent sigh. She had to go home . George added , " Save my number . " " I will . " As he walked off , Rhea got into the car and saved his number . After some thought , she used his full name as the contact to remind herself to keep clear boundaries . She might see him as a brother , but he wasn't really family by blood . So , she couldn't rely on him too often . In the car , Arielle held Rhea's hand . " Mom , I really like Uncle George . " " You just met him once , and you already like him ? " " Yeah . Kids can tell . If we like someone , they must be a good person . " Rhea couldn't help but chuckle . " Arielle , Adrian , listen to me . No matter what , don't trust others so easily . And never put all your hope into just one person or one thing . Always try to rely on yourselves first . Got it ? " " Mom , you've said that so many times already . We remember ! " Adrian grinned . Rhea added softly , " You need to learn to be independent . That way , even if I'm not around one day , you'll still know how to take care of things . " But the kids picked up on her tone more quickly than she expected . Arielle looked up immediately . " Mom , are you leaving ? Are you and Dad going to split up ? " Chapter 27 +25 BONUS She had been feeling anxious lately . That was why she called for Rhea even in her sleep . For Adrian and her , their world had always consisted of the ever - present Rhea and Carter , who only showed up from time to time . Rhea was the one person they couldn't imagine their world without . If she left ... " I'm not leaving . I'm just going to work , " Rhea said gently . After a pause , she added , " Tomorrow's your birthday , and it's the weekend family day . Your dad will be there . You should be happy . " Adrian pouted . " It's family day , but Dad's always in his study the whole time . " Arielle agreed . " Yeah , he just works at home . " That was exactly why , when George spent time playing with them , they became so cheerful and attached to him . Rhea looked out the window . She had arranged to start work with Louie on Monday . Tomorrow was the weekend and the kids ' birthday . Back home , to Rhea's surprise , Carter was still there . It was Saturday . He was usually at the office by now . The moment he heard the kids ' voices echoing through the house , he looked up sharply . For the first time , he thought their chatter sounded pleasant . He got up , and Arielle and Adrian instinctively quieted down . " Dad . " Carter crouched beside Arielle . " Are you feeling better ? It was careless of me , How about I make you something nice to eat ? " Kids were easier to comfort . He just had to say sorry and make them something they liked , and they'd be happy again in no time . Arielle asked , " What are you making ? " " Seafood pasta . Sounds good ? " She pouted in thought . " Yeah . " " I'll go make it now . You and Adrian head to your rooms and rest for a bit . " " Okay ! " Rhea didn't get involved in the conversation . She went upstairs to freshen up , then started prepping for the kids ' birthday tomorrow . Just then , her phone rang . She answered , " Hello ? " " Hi , Ms. Ravelle . I'm delivering a package on behalf of Mr. Snider . I'm at the neighborhood entrance . Could you send someone to get it ? " " Okay . I'll be right there , " Rhea replied . She went straight outside as soon as she arrived downstairs . Soon , she returned carrying a large cardboard box . The maid hurried over to take it from her . 2/3 Chapter 27 +25 BONUS " Mrs. Jamison , where should I put it ? " The delivery man had told Rhea that it was from George for the kids ' birthday party . So , she said , " Just leave it here . " Rhea opened the box . Inside were decorations and supplies for a birthday party . 1 She carried it to the storage room and placed it alongside the snacks from Draventh , all set aside for tomorrow's celebration . Downstairs , the kids were already at the dining table , ready for Carter's seafood pasta .