28. Mommy for Axel

They finally reached the top of the stairs. Gerald was truly out of breath. Yet, he hadn't let Ariana down. When Yosef opened the car door, only then did Gerald drop Ariana onto the seat.

Under the car's light, Gerald could finally see his wife. She was wearing a long-sleeved sweater and sports pants that looked warm. Her hair was tousled messily, a result of her resistance throughout the journey. And her feet? Gerald felt guilty seeing her barefoot, not even wearing socks.

"Get in," he ordered Ariana.

However, Ariana didn't move at all. She continued to gaze at Gerald challengingly. Gerald wasn't clueless. He secured Ariana with a seatbelt before he himself got in and sat in the seat next to her.

"Drive!" he commanded the driver. The man in his forties nodded and immediately started the car.

Ariana paid no attention to the three men inside the car. She didn't bother to tidy herself up. She preferred to look outside the dark car window rather than at Gerald. She sought a comforta