Unloved Unwanted Unstoppable (Seraphina and Dominic) novel Chapter 198

"Waaah..."

The little girl finally burst into tears, gasping desperately for air.

Seraphina gently patted her back. "It's okay, you're okay now. You got it out."

The girl turned around, still hiccuping and sobbing. "Th... thank you..."

Seraphina softly stroked her hair. "Make sure you chew your food slowly from now on, okay?"

The girl nodded vigorously.

Suddenly remembering something, she reached into her backpack and pulled out a small cardboard box. Inside was a tiny, palm-sized orange kitten. It looked weak and let out a fragile, tiny mew.

"Here, this is for you."

The little girl held the box up to Seraphina.

"I found it on the street, and it looked so sad. You saved me, and my uncle says you always have to repay someone who helps you. I don't have any money, so I want to give you the kitty."

Seraphina let out a helpless laugh. "I don't know the first thing about taking care of a cat. Why don't you take it home and raise it?"

"No!" The little girl shoved the box into Seraphina's arms. "You can't take back a gift once you give it!"

As they stood in a standoff, heavy footsteps echoed from the cafe entrance.

The little girl whipped her head around, her eyes instantly lighting up.

"Gideon!"

She bolted toward the door and threw her arms around the man's legs.

Seraphina looked up. The man standing in the doorway wore a sleek black overcoat. He was tall, with sharply handsome features. It was Gideon Cole.

This little girl was calling him uncle? This was Mr. Cole's niece?

Gideon glanced down at the girl clinging to his leg, then looked up at Seraphina. His eyes flicked to the kitten in her arms, and a warm smile curved his lips.

"Ms. Sinclair."

"Mr. Cole." Seraphina stood up. "Are you... here to pick her up?"

Gideon gave a slight nod, reaching down to ruffle his niece's hair. "Her parents are working late today, so I swung by to get her."

The little girl tilted her head up and introduced herself to Seraphina.

"My name is Phoebe Preston."

She then tugged frantically at Gideon's coat. "Gideon! Do you know her? Tell her she has to keep the kitty! She saved my life, and I have to repay her!"

Gideon raised an eyebrow. "Saved your life?"

Phoebe launched into a dramatic retelling of the candy incident, heavily embellishing the part where she almost died, and by the end of the story, her eyes were welling with tears again.

Gideon's expression softened considerably.

Gideon slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and headed for the nearest veterinary clinic.

After a full battery of tests, the vet confirmed the kitten was perfectly healthy, aside from being slightly malnourished.

Seraphina let out a massive sigh of relief.

Gideon drove Seraphina and Phoebe back to the cafe, then immediately drove off again to buy premium cat food, litter, a plush bed, and an entire haul of supplies.

Seraphina carried the cat back inside, and Phoebe spent the next half-hour entirely absorbed in playing with it.

Phoebe grabbed Seraphina's hand and guided her fingers to pet the kitten's head.

As Seraphina crouched down, the kitten affectionately nudged her fingers, letting out a soft, fragile purr.

Seraphina's heart melted completely.

She stood up, planning to head back to the kitchen to help, but her gaze casually drifted across the street.

She stopped dead in her tracks.

In front of the rival cafe across the street, a table was overflowing with greasy corn dogs, chili-cheese fries, and heavily processed junk food.

A little girl with her hair tied in double buns sat on a stool, clutching a massive piece of fried chicken and stuffing it into her mouth.

It was Lily.

Seraphina's pupils constricted sharply.