On the one end was social media trolls insisting that she leave Aryadelle, and on the other end was the news of her ex husband’s engagement.
The mere thought of it was suffocating.
That night, Ben invited Elyette out for drinks. Elyette refused with a frown and said, “I’m going to see Shea after this.”
“Can’t the bodyguard and nanny watch her? It’s been so long since we’ve had a drink!” Ben said, then whispered in Elyette’s ear, “Averie went abroad today.”
Elyette’s eyes turned dark.
He suddenly had the urge to drink.
Ben booked a spot at a rooftop restaurant.
The two men stood by the railings with a bottle of wine in hand each and looked out into the starry night sky as they drank in silence.
The spring breeze was cool and stuck to every inch of their skin.
When they were done with their first bottles, Ben turned to Elyette and asked, “Did you agree to the engagement with Zoe as thanks for Shea’s treatment?”
“My mother wanted me to marry her. Averie also told me to live a good life with her. Shea’s treatment is just a minor reason.”
Elyette lifted his head slightly, revealing his long, sensual neck.
His Adam’s apple rolled in his throat, then he said hoarsely, “Averie wanted nothing but to draw a line between us, so I’m simply granting her wish.”
Averie should be happy now that he was engaged to Zoe!
“What’s with that expression? It’s just an engagement, not marriage. Even if you get married, you can always get a divorce!” Ben said as he patted Elyette’s shoulder when he saw the pained expression on his face. “Come on. Let’s have another drink.”
A week later, Shea suddenly appeared at the door to Hayden and Layla’s classroom at Starry River Kindergarten.
This time, there was no smile on her face.
She always had a silly grin on her face every time they met before.
Hayden and Layla walked out of the classroom.
“I’m here to see you one last time, Hayden and Layla…” Shea said as tears glistened in her eyes.
“Why is it the last time? Dirt… I mean, is Elyette Foster stopping you from seeing us again?” Layla said, catching herself before she slipped her tongue.
Shea shook her head as tears streamed down her face.
“I’m dying. I don’t think… I have much time left to live.”
Hayden and Layla looked helplessly at her as sadness surged inside them.
Shea took out the bag she brought with her.
“I wanted to give you my most precious treasure because you are my best friends.”
She wiped the tears off her face, then pulled out a jewelry box and several photo albums from the bag.
These were her most valuable and favorite things.
Elyette had bought them all for her.
Tears escaped Layla’s eyes, then she burst into sobs, “Don’t die, Shea! You won’t die! Put these things away! Hayden and I don’t want them!”
Mrs. Scarlet wiped her own tears next to them.
Shea was falling into unconsciousness every night ever since the surgery.
Logically, she was supposed to be energetic the next day after a night of sleep.
However, things were the exact opposite.
Shea threw a tantrum that day and insisted on going to see Hayden and Layla.
Mrs. Scarlet snuck her out behind Elyette’s back.
“My Mommy’s coming home today, Shea! Let’s go see her! She can save you!” Layla said as she grabbed onto Shea’s hand and pulled her away without a care.
Hayden thought that was too impulsive.
Averie might be upset, but he did not stop them.
His heart ached when he heard that Shea was dying. The last time he felt pain like that was back when his grandmother passed away.
In the master bedroom at the Starry River Villa, Averie had gone to sleep from jet lag since she returned at six in the morning.
Layla rushed to the bed, held her mother’s hand in hers, then cried out in a baby-like voice,” Mommy! Wake up! I have something to tell you! Hurry and wake up!”
Averie vaguely heard the sound of her daughter’s voice, then struggled to open her eyes
“Shea said she’s dying, Mommy! Please save her!” Layla pleaded when she saw her mother’s eyes open.
Averie instantly jolted awake.
She sat up in bed and saw Shea standing next to Layla.
She took a breath and wanted to refuse, but the words that ended up coming out of her mouth were, “Why do you think you’re dying, Shea?”
Mrs. Scarlet interjected before Shea could respond, “She’s been exhausted ever since the surgery. She’s always tired even after sleeping all night. She’s just sluggish all day…”
“Has she gotten a checkup at the hospital?” Averie asked.
Mrs. Scarlet shook her head and said, “Doctor Sanford said that this was a normal post surgical reaction and that she just needed more rest.”
“You and Shea don’t think this is normal, do you?”
Mrs. Scarlet hesitated, then said, “I don’t have an opinion, so I just listen to the doctors. However, it doesn’t feel good seeing Shea like this.”
“Take her to the hospital, then!” Averie sighed. “If you can bring her here, why can’t you send her to the hospital for a checkup?”
“I wouldn’t dare take her to the hospital myself,” Mrs. Scarlet responded dejectedly. “I’m worried that would upset Doctor Sanford.”
“She’ll be even more upset that you brought her to me.”
“Shea wanted to come here. Please take her to the hospital for a checkup, Miss Tate! Mr. Foster won’t be angry if it was you.”
Averie was speechless.
The truth was that Mrs. Scarlet did not want to offend Elyette and Zoe herself, so she wanted to use Averie as a scapegoat.
“I’m begging you, Miss Tate,” Mrs. Scarlet pleaded as she bowed her head.
At that moment, Layle chimed in, “Take Shea to the hospital, Mommy! She wasn’t like this before. What if she really dies?”
“Layla, you…”
“Mommy! Layla isn’t a bad person! She’s already so pitiful. Please help her!” Layla cried through reddened eyes.
Averie surrendered and gave in.
She sent the children back to school, then drove Shea and Mrs. Scarlet to the hospital.
“Did you bring any ID, Shea?”
Shea shook her head.
“Do you remember any ID numbers?” Averie asked again.
“Shea doesn’t have any ID, Miss Tate,” Mrs. Scarlet answered.
Averie was at a loss for words.
How could that be?
That was unimaginable!
Every citizen in Aryadelle had some form of identification. Even the children in the orphanages had them.
Why did shea not have any ID?
Averie did not pester further.
Mrs. Scarlet would not tell her anything even if she asked.
Moments later, Shea said in the backseat, “I think you’re the one who did my surgery, Averie.”
Averie saw the shock on Mrs. Scarlet’s face in the rearview mirror.
“It wasn’t me,” Averie denied right away. “I’m just taking you to the hospital for one checkup, Shea. Go to Elyette if anything ever happens again. Got it?”
Mrs. Scarlet picked up the dismay in Averie’s voice, then quickly said, “I’m sorry for the trouble, Miss Tate. I won’t let her bother you again.”
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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