Chapter 16

Estelle felt a lump in her throat when she heard what he said.

“Miss Sanders, are you there?”

“I am,” she took a deep breath and continued asking, “Will Skyler be there...for the divorce procedure?”

“Director Flynn won’t be there. He’s asked me to take charge of this matter.”

“Have him attend the meeting. I have something to tell him.”

Zayne chuckled awkwardly, “Miss Sanders, you’re putting me in a tight spot. I’m sure you already know that Director Flynn doesn’t want to see you.”

Of course, she knew. It was just that…

“Well, then could you please let him know that...I’m pregnant with his child.”

“Sorry?!”

“I said, I’m pregnant and I want to meet him.”

Zayne hesitated and let out a weak sigh. His tone carried a hint of empathy as he explained, “Miss Sanders, Director Flynn won’t be able to come for the meeting. Miss Camilla just had a miscarriage and she’s traumatized by Aunt Frances’ death. Hence, he planned for a holiday overseas for Miss Camilla to get some fresh air. They might already be on the plane now.”

“...How long will they be gone? When will they be back?”

“Miss Camilla wants to travel the world. If it’s a short trip, they should be gone for at least half a year. If it’s a longer trip, it’ll probably take more than a year.”

“...”

“Before he left for the trip, he gave me the power of attorney document which he appointed me to be his proxy in dealing with the divorce procedure. He also entrusted someone to take care of the company matters. He wants to focus on Miss Camilla as she’s the most important person in his life.”

“...”

“Miss Sanders, are you okay?”

Closing her eyes, Estelle felt like a walking corpse. She was numb to the heartache she felt. Skyler always found a way to rip her heart into pieces.

Taking a deep breath, she replied, “I heard you.”

“Okay. I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance of the Civil Administration building.”

“I won’t be going.”

“Miss Sanders, please don’t put me in a tight spot. I’m just doing what Director Flynn asked of me.”

“Fret not. You’ll be able to fulfill what you’ve been asked of.” Touching her face, Estelle chuckled. She then added, “In the end, it doesn’t matter if he’s divorced or widowed, he’ll still be able to marry Camilla. I promised him that I’ll give him anything that he wants.”

The phone signal was bad and Zayne did not hear her. “Miss Sanders, you were saying?”

“It’s nothing. I’m feeling a little tired. I’ll hang up now.”

The female officer who overheard their conversation looked troubled. “Miss Sanders, since you’re not feeling well, we can arrange for the medical parole another time. Let’s send you home first. Where’s your home?”

Estelle looked happy. She looked calm and peaceful as she stroked her belly with her hands.

"My home? I’ve already lost my home."

….

A year later.

After flying for more than ten hours, the plane from Provence finally landed at the airport of H City.

After a year of rest and recuperation, Camilla felt much better. She looked toward the man seated beside her and leaned on him. “What’s the matter? You’ve been quiet throughout the flight and you look distracted.”

Shaking his head, Skyler replied, “It’s nothing. For some reason, I feel anxious today.”

“Maybe because we’re back in our hometown. Skyler, you made a promise that we’ll get married when we’re back in H city.”

“....Right.” Reaching out for his phone, he dialed a number. He then said to her, “I’ll go get you a bottle of water and call Zayne in the meantime. I’ll have him bring over the divorce papers.”

Camilla planted a kiss on his cheeks. “Okay.”

Skyler’s call did not reach Zayne but he got another incoming call.

“Hello?” answered Skyler.

“Good day to you. May I know if this is Mr. Skyler?”

“Yes.”

“We finally reached you. Could you please hurry to the hospital? Your child needs to go into surgery right now and we need your approval.”

A child?

Since when did he have a child?

“I’m sorry, you must be mistaken. I don’t have a child.”

“It’s not a mistake. Your wife made arrangements for stem cell transplant surgery for both of your children. However, we can’t get hold of her. We could only reach out to you but your phone was turned off. Could you please rush to the hospital?”

‘Two of my kids? And what was that about a stem transplant surgery?’ Skyler thought to himself as he was puzzled.

Another call came through and it was Zayne.

He answered the call quickly. “Zayne, what have you been up to? Didn’t I ask you to settle the divorce matters? Why is the hospital calling me about children…”

“Director Flynn...you should probably come to the hospital,” Zayne said with a deep and muffled voice.

“...What in the world is happening?”

“Things are a little complicated, I can’t explain it through the phone, and…” Zayne continued. “Miss Sanders just…”