Novels by COMFORT

"What do you mean, he is looking for you?" I whispered."Exactly that," the system replied. "Watch."A blue screen appeared in front of my eyes and began to flicker. At first, all I could see was static. Then the picture became clear.A huge glass office came into view. There was a dark desk in the middle of the room and a city shining behind the windows.Ethan sat alone in front of a laptop. His tie was loose, and his jaw was tight."You can see him?" I asked."The Regret Meter measures his reactions," the system explained. "I show you what affects it.""That is creepy.""That is useful."Alabella let out a small cry from the bed. I picked her up and gently rocked her against my shoulder."Shh, my little star. Mama is working.""You can do two things at once," the system said."I have to. I am a mother now."On the laptop screen, a video began to play.I watched myself pushing the baby cycle through the Lead Street Mall. My daughters were wrapped in blankets, and my hair was a mess.

"Run, Host!" the system shouted. "Now!"I didn't look back. I pushed the baby cycle down the alley with both hands. Behind me, I could hear the heavy footsteps of the men chasing us."There she is!""Grab the babies!""Mrs. Sterling wants them back unharmed!""Then she should have been kinder!" I screamed.The wide street opened up in front of me. There were cars, loud horns, and a yellow taxi parked by the roadside."That one," the system said. "It's stopping."The taxi's back door opened before I reached it. The driver leaned out, his eyes wide with surprise."Lady, are those five babies?""Yes! Please, drive!""Where to?""Anywhere!""Cedar Lane, Brooklyn," the system said. "Tell him.""Cedar Lane, Brooklyn!" I shouted.I lifted my daughters two at a time and placed them on the back seat. Then I folded the baby cycle and pushed it into the trunk."Please, hurry!"The driver looked at me through the mirror and swore under his breath."Those men in black. Are they chasing you?""My m

"The service corridor?" I whispered. "Where is it?""To the left of the front desk. Behind the gold door. Hurry, Host."I looked to my left. A narrow gold door stood beside a tall flower stand. It was almost hidden against the wall.The guard still had his hand on the handle of the baby cycle."Ma'am, let go. I won't ask you again.""Take your hand off my daughters.""Mrs. Sterling gave an order.""Then Mrs. Sterling can explain herself to everyone recording you."The guard froze."What?""Look around you."He looked around. Margaret did too.Almost half the guests in the lobby had their phones out, recording everything. Two people stood beside the marble pillar. A couple stood near the front desk. Even the doorman had come inside to watch."A security guard grabbing five newborn babies," I said loudly. "Please keep recording.""Put those phones away!" Margaret shouted."Why?" one guest called out. "This is the best thing I've seen all week."Mia's face turned pale."Ethan, do somethi

Chapter 5: The Hotel ConfrontationEthan's eyes dropped to the baby cycle, then back to my face."Clara, what did you do with the money?" he asked."I bought clothes for my daughters.""Seven hundred thousand dollars' worth of clothes?""Yes. Every dollar of it.""That card had one million dollars on it," he said. "Only three hundred thousand is left.""Then you should have been more generous," I replied. "Or should I thank you for being so careful with your money?""Don't try to be clever with me.""I'm not trying to be clever. I'm being honest. That's something you never bothered to do."Ava pulled at his sleeve."Ethan, she spent our money? Your money?""It was never our money," Ethan snapped. "It was mine."I looked at him in disbelief."Then why are you so angry? You threw it at me as if I were a stranger.""I didn't throw anything.""You tossed it onto the hospital bed. It landed right beside my daughter's hand."Mia let out a short laugh."Oh, she's enjoying this. Just look at

"Host, your lucky stars are sleepy. Take them to the Eastwood Hotel to collect your next reward."I stopped the baby cycle in the middle of the mall."The Eastwood Hotel? That's his family's hotel.""Rest is necessary. Your lucky stars need a warm bed.""I am not going anywhere near Ethan.""Your lucky stars cannot sleep in a mall, Host.""Then I will find another hotel.""No other hotel has your reward."I pressed my lips together. The system was right, and I hated it.Aria made a soft, unhappy sound under her blanket. Then Ariella yawned, making a tiny, sleepy sound that melted my heart.I looked down at my daughters. They were still so small, and they had already been through so much in just a few hours."Okay," I whispered. "One hour. Then we leave.""Host, your reward is waiting at the hotel desk.""Then the reward can wait until I've rested first.""Rest is also a task, Host.""Then I am completing it."The taxi dropped us off at the Eastwood Hotel shortly after noon.The doorma

Aria cried softly against my shoulder. Her tiny body shook because of the cold.I pulled her blanket tighter around her.Her socks were thin, and the hospital room was freezing."I know, my princess. We're going to fix that."The nurse looked at the baby in my arms and frowned."Mrs. Sterling, you shouldn't leave the hospital today. You've lost a lot of blood.""I can't leave my daughters in this cold room.""Then let me call a doctor.""No. I'll rest when they're warm.""You're very stubborn.""I'm a mother now. Being stubborn is part of the job.""Then at least let me push you downstairs.""Thank you."The nurse sighed and began pushing my wheelchair toward the elevator."Your mother-in-law would hate you," she said."She already does.""And, Mrs. Sterling?""Yes?""Your daughters are lucky to have you."When we reached the ground floor, a taxi driver stared at the five baby seats I had asked the hospital to lend me. His eyes grew even wider when he saw the baby cycle."Lead Street