Elyette got out of the car and walked into the living room.
“Mother,” he greeted when he saw Rosalie.
“Are you okay, Elyette?” Rosalie asked as he held her son’s arm and looked him up and down.
“I’m fine,” Elyette responded as he walked into the house with his mother.
Then, his gaze landed on Zoe’s cold face.
“I’ll let you talk alone!” Rosalie said. “Remember, Elyette, we Zoe no matter what. You need to give her an explanation.”
Elyette nodded.
Soon after, he was left alone in the living room with Zoe.
“I’m sorry, Zoe,” he said as he stood by the coffee table and informed her of his decision. “I can’t force myself to be with you.”
“I see,” Zoe responded blandly.
“I’ll pay you for treating Shea’s illness. If you don’t accept…”
Elyette was resolute.
He did not have to finish his sentence for Zoe to understand his meaning.
“I accept. I’ll take however much you give me,” Zoe said with a smile. “It’s all my fault. I was in over my head and barking up the wrong tree. I’m not good enough for you. I’ll just take the money and go.”
“Don’t put yourself down, Zoe. You will meet someone who will treasure you. Unfortunately, I can’t be that man.”
“I know,” Zoe said, then gulped and stood up. “I’ll move out right away.”
“It’s alright.” Elyette felt a pang of pity when he saw her protruding belly. “Since you’re carrying my child, you should stay here for now. We’ll decide on what to do after the baby is born.”
Zoe glanced down at her baby bump, then smiled sarcastically and said, “Thank you.”
Then, she turned and hurried to her room.
Rosalie walked back into the living room with a face filled with disappointment.
“How could you be so cruel to Zoe, Elyette? What happened to make you suddenly change your mind?”
Elyette helped his mother to the couch, then said, “I’ll find a better doctor to help Shea. You don ‘t have to worry about anything else.”
“Have you found someone even better than Zoe?”
Elyette nodded and said, “I will.”
“Okay… Thank you for taking care of Shea all these years, Elyette! Since you have no feelings for Zoe, I won’t force you. However, the doctors said that the child she’s carrying is very healthy. We should keep it,” Rosalie said.
A wave of gloom washed over Elyette’s face.
If it were not out of consideration for Zoe’s weak body being unsuitable to get an abortion, he would never had agreed to keep the baby.
Other than that crucial point, he also did not love Zoe, and would not be able to bring himself to love their child.
This child’s birth would be a guaranteed tragedy.
Elyette’s phone rang suddenly and snapped him back to reality.
He picked up his phone and answered the call.
“We’ve found information on Eric Santos, sir!” said the person on the other end of the line.
A spark flickered in Elyette’s eyes. He shot to his feet and hurried out the door.
At the Starry River Villa, Averie’s phone rang the moment she walked out of the shower.
She immediately picked it up and answered the call.
“Hey, Wesley,” she said.
“Why was your phone switched off all morning, Averie?”
Wesley had tried to call her several times before finally getting an answer.
“My phone was dead. I just charged it,” Averie explained regretfully. “Did you call me to talk about Eric Santos?”
“Yes, I did. Eric’s worried you’d be mad.”
“I’m not mad,” Averie said. “I just feel like this is too troublesome for him. I’ll call him later.”
“Okay,” Wesley said as he felt relieved. “I almost went over to your house when I couldn’t reach you all morning. Mike told me you weren’t home when I called him to ask… Where did you go?”
Averie was taken aback and rendered speechless by the question.
She came up with an excuse moments later and said, “I went out for a jog.”
“I see… I guess it’s important to get regular exercise. Are you able to settle the problems with your company this time? You have to take care of your mental health no matter what happens. Nothing is more important than your health,” Wesley said comfortingly.
“I will! Thanks, Wesley! I’ll buy you lunch soon.”
“Haha! You’re always buying me lunch. It’ll be my treat when you have time to meet.”
“Okay!”
After the phone call, Averie grabbed a change of clothes from the closet.
When she walked downstairs after changing, Tammy was charging towards her before she could react.
“Averie Tate! You have no idea how exciting things were today!” Tammy exclaimed as she kicked herself with remorse. “If I knew that Elyette was going to ditch the engagement party, then I definitely would have gone to the hotel with Jun! I heard that Zoe Sanford was crying like a baby before she stormed out of the banquet hall!”
The image popped into Averie’s mind, but she could not bring herself to laugh out loud.
Zoe must despise her right now!
“I got you lunch, Averie,” Mike said as he pointed at the food on the dining table. “Drop by the office when you have time. I’m heading out.”
Averie nodded in response.
Once Mike was out the door, Tammy began to lousy describe everything that happened at the engagement party.
“How much of a dirtbag could Elyette be? Zoe Sanford isn’t as pretty or adorable as you are. More importantly, she’s not a good person!” Tammy yammered on as she pulled out the photos of the venue that Jun had sent to her and showed them to Averie.
“Let me eat in peace, Tammy,” Averie said as she pulled out the food from the paper bag on the table. “I’m starving.”
“Didn’t you have breakfast today?” Tammy put down her phone, then changed the subject.” What’s your relationship with Eric Santos? You and I are both human and beautiful women, but why can’t I get to know a hot guy like Eric Santos?”
Averie almost spat out the food in her mouth.
“If you’ve got so much time on your hands, then do me a favor!”
“What favor? I’ll definitely help with whatever I can!” Tammy said dutifully.
“I’m looking for a bodyguard for the kids to help out with driving them around.” Averie wanted to settle this matter as soon as possible. “I’ve got a few candidates right now, but I don ‘t know which one to pick. Help me pick someone.”
“Sure! Send me their contact information and I’ll meet with them.”
“A security company recommended them. You can just head on over to their office.”
Averie sent a phone number to Tammy, then said, “I’m stopping by the office after I eat. Call me once you’ve made a decision.”
“Okay.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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