“Are you talking about Evelyn?” Abel frowned.

“Yes, that’s right. I seem to recall that you get along with her well. Besides, Evelyn has a thing for you.”

“But I don’t feel for her that way. This is closed for discussion.” Feeling drained, Abel waved his arm.

“Abel, is Emmeline the only one for you?”

Abel kept to himself, but he was certain of that fact.

“Daddy, I want Emmeline to be my mommy.” Timothy ventured down the stairs.

“Kids should not interfere when adults are talking.” Rosaline lovingly made a face.

“But Granny, you saw it. Alana doesn’t love me. Emmeline treats me like a son.”

Rosaline was without a word as Timothy got her stumped.

Feeling bad, Abel put his hands out and pulled his son into his arms. He shuffled the little man’s hair.

“Daddy, are you going to make Emmeline my mommy?”

“I will try. Be a good boy now.” Abel kissed his son’s face.

“I will try hard with you, Daddy.”

“Okay. We will succeed together!” Abel gave a nod.

Rosaline helplessly sighed.

The next day, Abel went to the hospital and told Alana about the engagement date.

Alana’s look of anticipation crumbled the moment she heard the news. She nearly fell out of bed.

“What? Eight months later? Why eight months later?”

“I’m not too sure, but this is the date given by Grandad’s trusty wedding planner, Howard.”

“Um…”

Alana held onto Abel’s hand. “Mr. Abel, eight months is a little long. Can’t we have our engagement sooner?”

Recoiling his arm, Abel callously responded, “No. That’s the date the wedding planner put together after considering the planning and attendees. Otherwise, our other option is to call the party altogether.”

“I don’t want to cancel the engagement! Eight months, it is. I’ll wait.” Alana nearly fell out of bed again.

“Okay. I should go if there’s nothing else. You should rest,” Abel uttered.

“But Mr. Abel, can’t you stay with me a little longer?” Alana took Abel’s hand again.

“I got to go, so some other day,” Abel replied.

“Mr. Abel, don’t forget that I risked my life to save you.” Alana teared up.

With his face falling, Abel nodded. “I know, or I won’t be so patient.”

Alana let go of his hand.

She waited until Abel closed the door behind him before scowling.

Would anything change in the coming eight months?

Was it going to be a challenge to be the lady of the Ryker household?

Abel left the hospital and took his own car.

He did not take Luca and his chauffeur on this trip.

Neither did his security detail come along.

It took mere minutes to get from the Ryker Group to the hospital.

Besides, he could use some time alone.

Abel was not in a hurry to get out of the car when he pulled up at the company plaza.

He rolled down his window for a smoke before starting the engine and driving away.

…

Meanwhile, there was a shoot going on in Adelmar Studios.

“You’re up, Emma,” Simon cried.

“I’m ready,” Emmeline responded.

She was supposed to jump off a building towering a dozen meters and engage in a physical fight with traitors.

Her character was a skilled doctor who went back in time.

Emmeline was hanging in the air with the help of cables.

From down below, Emmeline’s white flowy dress looked ethereal in the air.

“Action!” Simon barked.

With her arms apart, Emmeline glided down from the building.

She looked like a fairy, her dress flowing with the breeze and her hair fluttering around her face.

The people down below were blown away.

Emmeline got into character, getting the thrill of her life.

Suddenly… “Cut!”

The safety clasp behind her back cracked, and the harness lost control.

Emmeline swiftly plunged to the ground.

“Oh, no! The safety clasp came unlatched!” The prop gaffer shouted.

“Watch out, Emmeline!” Simon yelled.

It was too late. Emmeline was free-falling to the ground as gravity took her.