Chapter 11: Returning Home with a New “Son”
Gemma nearly choked on her own spit.
Her great life was just getting started–why on earth would she agree to be “Aunt” to a little cupcake like this?
“Gemma, why are you coughing so much? Are you sick?”
The little cupcake looked confused, his tiny antenna–like cowlick bouncing as if it were picking up signals like a Teletubby.
Gemma sipped some water to steady herself.
“No, no, I’m fine.”
Noah tilted his head, looking even more puzzled. “Then what’s wrong?”
ed seriously, “I saved you on the plane–doesn’t that mean you owe me a favor?”
Gemma thought for a moment, then asked
Noah nodded vigorously.
He’d remember Gemma’s kindness for the rest of his life.
“That’s why, Gemma, you should be my Aunt. I’ll take care of you forever.”
This time, Gemma coughed so hard she nearly lost her breath.
After catching it again, she patted the boy’s head,
“Saving you was no big deal;
I wasn’t expecting anything in return. But still, I hope…”
She coughed a couple more times, pulling a dramatic face.
“…you won’t repay kindness with cruelty.”
“Ah!” Noah froze, his little brain stalling.
Was being his Aunt such a scary thing?
For a long moment, he seemed deep in thought.
Finally, he looked like he’d made a monumental decision. His face turned solemn. “Then I’ll be your son. That way, we’ll n
never have to part.”
Gemma’s coughing fit worsened, and she gave his shoulder a light slap.
“Kid, are you trying to shock me to death today?”
Noah clung to her arm, pouting like he was begging for her attention.
“But I just want to stay with you.”
Seeing his earnest, adoring expression, Gemma couldn’t help but sigh
She had poured her heart into raising Ali for five years, but in the end, that kid only wanted someone else to be his mom.
Yet here was Noah, clinging to her with complete trust after just a week.
Maybe, she thought, the bonds between people really can’t be forced.
“Well, that’s not possible, because I’m heading back home soon.
Her time studying abroad was coming to an end, and Cassius had helped her a lot during her stay.
Saving Noah’s life was repayment enough for everything.
Once she returned home, her life would be worlds apart from the Raven family’s. Their paths wouldn’t cross again.
Noah’s lips trembled. “Does Gemma not like me anymore?”
Before she could reply, he burst into tears, looking utterly heartbroken.
Gemma tried to comfort him, but nothing worked. In the end, she pulled a brooch from her pocket and pinned it onto
him.
The brooch was a handmade piece–a cartoon–style panda.
Chapter 11: Returning Home with a New “Son”
“Don’t cry, okay? Look, I’m giving you this as a
Noah stopped crying immediately, lowering his head to touch the brooch with his fingers.
“This is for you.” Gemma said gently. “If you ever miss me, come find me at Pine Valley Hospital’s surgery department.”
Noah’s eyes lit up like stars.
“Then let’s pinky promise–no breaking it for a hundred years!”
Gemma laughed and held out her pinky. “Sure, one hundred years. No breaking it.”
Cassius didn’t come back last night. Word was, he and Smith had talked all night after Smith was discharged from the hospital.
Gemina wasn’t interested in the affairs of big shots like them.
Without Cassius’s contact information, she sent a message to his assistant, explaining she needed to leave.
She hadn’t expected Cassius to show up at the airport in the afternoon–with Noah in tow
Noah was dressed in a sharp little suit, a light gray crocodile–skin backpack slung over his shoulders. As soon as he spotted. her, he ran straight into her arms.
“Auntie Gemmal Noah wants to gov with you!”
Gemma picked him up instinctively but froze at his words, almost dropping him in shock.
“Mr. Raven, I didn’t-”
She hadn’t planned on abducting the child!
Cassius, as usual, wore his cool and indifferent expression, showing no emotion.
“It was my idea.”
Excuse me?
“I’ve got work to handle and no time to watch him. He’ll go back with you and stay in your care for a few days.”
It wasn’t a request. It was a command.
“Mr. Raven, 1 think—”
“Thirty million.”
Gemma hugged Noah tighter and gave a crooked smile. “Talking money feels so impersonal I just LOVE taking care of
kids.”
Noah clapped his hands in delight. “Yay!”
Cassius ordered his team to prepare a private jet. “There will be people assigned to protect you.”
Gemma cautiously asked, “Mr. Raven, just now you mentioned a few days. How many is that exactly?”
“At least half a month. At most, a month.”
“Got it!”
Cassius, perhaps doubting her reliability, handed her a slip of paper with a number.
“If any trouble arises, contact this person.”
As though remembering her earlier comments about “equality,” he added, “He won’t interfere with you. No pressure.” Gemina carefully tucked the paper away, treating it like a life–saving charm.
“Well then, Mr. Raven, goodbye.”
Cassius nodded.
Noah, however, had no concept of farewells, clinging to Gemma with pure joy.
“You seem pretty happy to leave your Uncle Cass,” Gemma teased,
She didn’t dare ask why Cassius had entrusted her with the child, but with his status, she figured he’d thought it through.
Chapter 11: Returning Home with a New “Son”
Besides, she genuinely liked Noah.
So she didn’t refuse the offer.
“Some people may look human, but they’re actually super–duper mega–villains.
What?
It took her a moment to realize Noah was venting about Cassius’s strictness.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell your Uncle Cass what you said?”
Noah’s enthusiasm deflated instantly, even the little tuft of hair on his head drooping.
“So… does love fade? You don’t love me anymore? Do you love my Uncle Cass now?”
WHAAAT!
Kids and their big mouths!
Gemma hurriedly covered his mouth.
“You little rascal! If you keep spouting nonsense, you’re gonna get in big trouble!”
Noah blinked his wide, innocent eyes,
He pried her hands away, and declared.
“So, Gemma still loves me best.
He grinned, jumping up to swing on her arm like a little monkey.
Whatever bittersweet feelings she’d had about leaving disappeared entirely.
Laughing, she scooped him up again and boarded the private jet.
When the plane landed, she took Noah with her to report back to the hospital.
Her work report this time was particularly research–driven, impressing the department head.
“When you get the chance, write a paper or two. You’re too talented to go unnoticed.”
Gemma felt a bit embarrassed.
“But many of my treatments are new, even self–developed. They haven’t been internationally recognized yet.” The head waved off her concerns.
“The fact that you’ve saved lives is proof enough.”
The conversation sparked several ideas in Gemma’s mind, and she began sketching out topics.
Just as she was about to dive into details, her colleague Chris called.
“Gemma, get here quick! The boy you brought is fighting with other kidst”
Her heart sank
