Benjamin replied, “It’s about Janie. Please go easy and spare me.”

“Janie is a good kid. She’s pretty and outspoken. She’s honest with her feelings.”

“She’s not for me.”

“Um… I’ll think about it.” Emmeline gave a nod.

Benjamin pulled the glass door and walked out.

Sitting in his ride, Benjamin dialed Abel’s number.

“Mr. Ryker.”

“Mr. York, has Wonder Doctor made an appearance?” Abel asked.

“I’m sorry, but not yet,” Benjamin answered.

“But time is not on my side anymore.”

Benjamin furrowed his brows. What are you trying to say, Abel?

You had flowers delivered to Emmeline, and now you can’t wait for Alana to get better so you can marry her.

Abel, am I wrong about you?

“My hands are tied, Mr. Ryker. I can’t help you.”

Abel’s heart dropped. There was nothing more he could say.

Benjamin hung up the call, feeling bad for Emmeline.

Ms. Louise, can’t you see the person Abel is?

He’s a player. He’s trying to have his cake and eat it too.

Abel was the last one to clock out of the office.

He returned to Ryker Mansion.

“Abel?”

Surprised by her son’s sudden return, Rosaline was over the moon.

“I’ll get the chef to make your favorite dinner.”

“Sure.” Abel nodded his head and pulled Rosaline to sit.

“Mom, I need a moment with you.”

“What’s on your mind? Don’t be a stranger to your mom.” Rosaline patted her son’s hand.

Abel replied, “Grandad wants a date for my engagement to Alana.”

Rosaline fell silent and frowned. “Abel, have you made up your mind on the matter?”

“Why do you ask, Mom? Didn’t you want me to settle down with Alana?” Abel said.

Rosaline nodded. “Honestly, I did, but I’m having second thoughts now.”

“Why?” Abel was taken aback by his mother’s change of attitude.

She had been urging him to tie the knot with Alana since forever, hoping to hold a grandchild in her arms one day.

Why the sudden change of mind?

“I can’t put it into words, but there is something amiss about Alana. Timmy isn’t close to her anyway. Name me a mother who doesn’t feel for her child. Somehow, Alana falls in that category,” Rosaline answered.

Oddly enough, Abel got the same feeling.

He even believed that Emmeline behaved more like a mother to Timothy than Alana did.

It was a pity that Emmeline was not, though.

“But there’s no mistaking that she’s Timothy’s mother. I had a DNA test done on them in secret,” Rosaline remarked.

“The only woman I ever touched was Alana. Mom, don’t get any other ideas.”

“The truth is hard to swallow.”

“So Mom, I need your help in this.” Abel held his mother’s hand.

“Let me have it, son. How can I help you?”

“I need you to stall Grandad. Don’t let him pressure me into getting engaged to Alana. I’ll have time to turn things around.”

“Alright. I’ll figure something out. Consider it done,” Rosaline answered.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Don’t mention it. Get upstairs for a rest. You can come down for dinner with Timmy once the food is ready,” Rosaline lovingly uttered.

“Okay.” Abel gave a nod. His mother gave him strength.

He believed that by postponing the engagement, he would eventually find some sort of solution.

Besides, Abel was not exactly breaking his promise to Grandad.

Meanwhile, it had been two days since Alana saw Abel.

Alana was bored in the hospital.

She wanted to know if Abel was with Emmeline.

Alana wondered if Abel had gone back on his promise to marry her.

Restlessness stirred within Alana the more she thought about it. Overcome by her emotions, Alana gave Abel a call.

“Abel, I’m bored in the hospital. Are you so busy that you can’t even visit?”

“I’ll come over when I’m done with the tasks at hand,” Abel replied.

Alana could not believe her ears. Was Abel coming to see her on his own accord?

Were pigs flying?