Chapter 24: A Mother's Worry

{Seraphina's POV}

"Cain! Euphi! Isn't this bed super comfy?" It wasn't anything wild compared to what I was used to, but as someone naturally lazy—a bed is my holy place; the only place in the universe where I can embrace my truest desire.

Euphi wiggled closer, snuggling into my chest and wrapping her arms around me, leaving zero room for her brother. She wasn't better than any man I had met, she nestled right in between my breasts, but since she was my cute and lovely daughter, who was I to deny her?

"Euphi, not fair!" Cain pouted, making me chuckle. I shifted into a flat position, making space for my little Cain. He took the opening with glee, and just like that, the three of us were cozy and relaxed, soaking up the calm before our adventurous day.

Keeping up with these little energy demons was no joke, but they were mine—and their smiles erased every ounce of fatigue.

Ring~ Ring~

"Cain, hand me my phone." He grabbed it and flopped right back into his spot. The caller ID read Jack—weird. I told him to only call if it was important, and I couldn't think of anything urgent I'd missed.

'Please don't be something aggravating.' With reluctant energy, I answered.

"Miss." His voice crackled through the speaker, low and tense, like the calm before a detonation. The word sat heavy in my ear, colder than it had any right to be.

"This better be important," I said flatly. Jack didn't call unless it mattered. God, I hoped this wasn't one of those times.

Silence.

"Spit it out, Jack." My breath hitched as I spoke, a cold prickle crawling up my spine. The silence on the line buzzed louder than it should have—too loud, too long.

"Eizkel is in the hospital."

My mind blanked.

"S-Say that again?"

I sat up immediately, gently pulling away from Cain and Euphi. Their worried eyes locked onto mine. This must've been a first for them, seeing me like this. I pointed to the door, signaling for them to step out, and thankfully, just like their big brother, they were smart.

"Eizkel is in the hospital."

"WHY! WHAT THE FU—What happened?!" I barely caught myself, the words ripping out like shrapnel. My throat burned, and my chest tightened as if something invisible had latched onto my lungs. The panic didn't fade! It clawed upward, searing through my ribs like fire under pressure.

The one who'd stood by me through every bit of the bullshit. The only family member who ever genuinely gave a damn. My son—the one constant in my chaos, the perfect child I never deserved—was lying in a hospital bed. And I couldn't breathe around the weight of that.

Jack waited a moment, giving me time to process—classic him. He'd been with our family long enough to understand each of us inside and out. His calm presence and reliability were probably the only things keeping me from going completely off the rails right now.

"It's my understanding he had a panic attack after meeting that Alice girl again."

"But weren't they friends? Hell, he liked her back before he got into Rome University. Why the hell would seeing her trigger a panic attack?"

"I-I'm not sure, Miss. Marcus said even she didn't understand why he reacted that way."

I sank into the nearest chair, mind racing to piece together a puzzle I didn't even know existed.

'He's been acting off lately… but I thought that was just him trying to improve. This? This doesn't add up. Did something happen he kept from me?'

It wasn't unusual for a kid to keep secrets, but Eiz? He'd always been honest with me—upfront, no hesitation. If he kept this hidden, it had to be something major.

"Jack, keep me updated. I don't care what time it is. If anything happens, I want to know! And if Cain and Euphi find out, this whole trip is off. So help me God, if anything else happens, you handle it."

"Y-Yes ma'am." My voice was cold—I knew it. I rarely snapped like this. The last time was when that bastard ex of mine tried forcing Eiz into those disgusting—

Tch. I hope that bastard's rotting somewhere.

I steadied myself and stepped back out to rejoin my two adorable little ones.

Cain was staring at me—he'd heard. His face said everything. The silver lining was that he hadn't told Euphi yet.

"M-Mom… is everything okay?" Euphi's voice trembled, eyes misty. I knelt and pulled both of them into a hug, offering comfort without the details.

Cain stayed silent, while Euphi sobbed into my shoulder, saying she didn't like seeing me like that.

I just held them tighter. "It's okay, sweetie. It's a one-time thing, alright?"

"Euphi, go inside and grab my purse, okay?"

"Hmm." She nodded and trotted off.

Cain stayed back. He seized the opportunity, and for a moment, he really did remind me of his older brother. Eiz was his idol, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

"I-Is Eiz alright, Mom?" He was on the verge of tears but held himself together. He shouldn't have had to. He was just a kid.

"You can cry, Cain. But don't worry, Eiz is going to be alright."

The moment those words left my lips, Cain broke. He cried hard, holding onto me, and I hugged him tighter.

Euphi returned just in time to see him like that.

"What's wrong?" she asked, blinking in confusion.

I smirked. "He didn't want to cry in front of his sister. Said it wasn't manly."

Euphi blinked, then nodded like a sage. "You're right, it's not, you crybaby—blegh!"

"S-Schh! Stupid sister!" Trying to hold back his flowing tears, he snapped back.

"Take that back!" She lunged at him, hugging him tight and ruffling his hair. He continued his lighthearted counters.

'Thank God they're still being themselves. Eiz… please be safe.'

He wasn't just their lifeline—he was mine. We couldn't afford to lose him.