Zachary held Robbie’s hand as they walked out of the ward. Ben and Raina were holding Jamie and Ellie respectively as they got into the car.
Robbie hadn’t slept the entire night, so he was understandably dizzy and was swaying a little as he walked.
Zachary bent down to pick the boy up, but Robbie rejected that offer and claimed, “I’m a big boy now. I don’t need you to carry me, Daddy.”
“It doesn’t matter how old you are because you will always be my son,” replied Zachary before he picked the kid up anyway and forged ahead. He then added, “You’re only six, and you don’t need to be so mature, okay?”
“I know…”
Robbie’s voice was a little thick with tears. Both Jamie and Ellie cried after the incident that day, but Robbie never shed a tear. He had been faking his strength the entire time, but he couldn’t hold it in any longer with his daddy right in front of him.
The truth was that Robbie had put on a great act in front of his dad as well, but Zachary could always see through Robbie and provide the kid with the protection and understanding he needed.
“Lay on daddy’s shoulder and take a nap,” cooed Zachary as he stroked Robbie’s back gently. The former promised, “I am here, so you don’t need to worry about anything at all. I will keep you safe even if it rains lava.”
Robbie wrapped his arms around Zachary’s neck and rested obediently on the adult’s shoulder. Tears slowly rolled down the child’s cheeks, but he didn’t want anyone to see his tears, so he quickly wiped them off with his tiny hands.
“This is not your fault,” said Zachary softly, “You don’t need to feel guilty about it.”
“Okay,” murmured Robbie softly.
“Sleep well,” cooed Zachary as he gently stroked the kid’s back.
Robbie felt safe with his daddy there, so his exhaustion finally got to him. He slowly but surely fell asleep.
Zachary hugged Robbie and got into the Rolls-Royce. Jamie and Ellie woke up when they were set down in the car. Both kids started sobbing a little.
Zachary quickly picked them up and stroke their backs to coo them to bed.
All three kids slept in Zachary’s arms.
Zachary instantly felt calmer as he watched them sleep.
With them by his side, Zachary had the courage to face even the apocalypse!
The car slowly traveled to Rokan Hill. Ben lowered his voice and reported, “Ms. Blackwood is video-calling me, Mr. Nacht. I think she’s looking for you.”
Zachary’s phone had automatically turned off because the battery was dead. That was why Cynthia was calling Ben instead.
She had never been involved in any financial matters within her family. The fact that she was looking for him meant that the Blackwoods were truly in trouble.
Regardless of the situation, Zachary owed Cynthia a favor, so while he was okay with ignoring everyone else, he couldn’t ignore her call for help.
After coming to that conclusion, Zachary instructed, “Reply to her message and tell her to meet me tomorrow evening at six. I’ll be in the restaurant in Storm Hotel.”
“Understood,” replied Ben calmly.
Zachary took all three kids home and put them to bed before he had Raina stay back to babysit them. After settling everything, he rushed to Serene Hospital with Ben by his side.
As they were heading over, Ben suddenly called out, “The lights in Northridge are on!”
Zachary rolled down the window to check. As pointed out, the lights in the Northridge villa were on…
Charlotte is back!
“Bruce is calling,” informed Ben quickly as he turned on the speakerphone.
“Mr. Nacht, it is as you suspected. Peter was released, and Olivia went to see him. The two of them have already met up,” reported Bruce.
“Got it,” replied Zachary calmly, “Ignore the matter for now. Go to the hospital and keep my grandpa safe.”
“Understood.”
After hanging up, Zachary instructed, “Call Marino and the others. Tell them to protect the kids at all costs. Do not let any stranger get close to the kids.”
“Understood,” said Ben. Naturally, he understood what Zachary was worried about. He doesn’t want to risk the Lindberg family taking the kids away.
Zachary stared out the window. His gaze shone with complicated emotion.
He knew that Charlotte would learn of the truth soon, but he didn’t know how she would deal with the matter. All he wished was that the matter wouldn’t affect the kids.
They’re innocent…
