Lucian glanced at the passenger seat and was met with Archie's wide-awake eyes.
Shocked, Lucian questioned, “You're still awake?”
I thought all of them had fallen asleep.
Archie's eyes were red and puffy too. Yet, he still kept a solemn look on his face.
“Daddy, Mommy has been sick for many days already, right?”
Lucian's expression grew tense at his question. He wasn't sure if he should tell his son the truth.
Archie is the most mature of the three. Explaining the situation to Archie first is the best option if I want to tell them the truth. They were still crying until a while ago, though. I don't think it's the right time to tell them yet.
After a few minutes of silence, Lucian decided to keep it from them. “No, that's not it. Don't think too much. Your mother just got a cold and a fever. She'll be better soon.”
The second he finished, Archie immediately asked, “But Mommy never went on such a long business trip before.”
Lucian's expression didn't falter as he said, “That was because she was worried no one would take care of you, your brother, and your sister if she was gone for too long. Now that you have me, she can put her heart in her stomach.”
A mask of concentration overtook Archie's face at Lucian's answer.
He's right. Mommy wouldn't go on long business trips before because she knew we would be waiting for her at home. Now that we're living with Daddy, Mommy can be more at ease. But... I still feel something doesn't add up.
Lucian gazed ahead as he drove but occasionally would shoot glances to check on the kids in the backseat. He was fighting in his mind about whether to tell them the truth.
Suddenly, Archie's voice broke the silence. He muttered with a frown, “Our hearts felt heavy the last time Mommy fainted. It's the same this time.”
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