"I'll check if the remains have been cremated." The head nurse picked up a phone to call the morgue staff. The Flanley Hospital administration had told them that they could see the remains of the baby whenever they wanted.Now, however, they failed to show anything—claiming that it was a rule for the hospital to cremate every unclaimed body within regular intervals. "Oh, I see." Told as much, the head nurse hung up and turned toward Isaac and Irene. "I'm sorry, but your child's remains have been cremated."Isaac frowned—they were almost eager to show them before, and should at least inform them before something like this. Why did they not do so? Is it possible that they had nothing?"This was your responsibility." "Yes. I'm sorry for the terrible miscommunication.""Do you think I'd accept that apology?!" Irene screamed. She clearly had yet to calm down, but no one probably could in her shoes. How could she accept it? She was not even afforded the chance to see th
Irene murmured, "It might be them…""No," Isaac assured her. "Sammy checked—it wasn't the people who confined you."As for him… Well, he had no shortage of rivals as enemies. He was a businessman, after all—his profits occasionally meant taking from others. While Irene had been away, he went on a frenzy as he expanded his business, destroying a long list of rivals in the process.It would take a lot of time if they had to screen said list, and there would be nothing conclusive any time soon.Just having hope right now was more than ideal for them right now.…Sammy soon returned with news that Kim Sherwood had fled."I asked the admin, and they told me that she is on a break, but she definitely ran away. I'm sure she was prepared for this.""Then start looking!" Irene urged Isaac.He simply gave her hand a squeeze, and told Sammy, "I'm going back to Zidonia.I'll return later."Sammy understood that he had other arrangements to make. "I'll be waiting." He still needed
Irene realized immediately that Debbie must have transferred herself back in the country while she was gone.However, she was too tired to even stand, and simply nestled against Isaac's neck while pretending to sleep, reluctant to talk to Debbie.Once outside, Debbie opened the door for Isaac, who carried Irene inside.They headed straight home, and Stephen returned home as well. Sheryl Harris had cleaned the house and their rooms when she learned that Irene was returning, while Mrs. Watson cooked up a storm.Irene felt that she was home for the first time in a while."Welcome home." Sheryl was beaming, and she had cajoled Tommy to welcome her as well.Mrs. Watson stood nearby with a cheerful smile as well. "Ma'am."Irene crumbled right then, and her tears were already gushing. Sheryl walked up to her right then and wiped her tears. "No tears, or you're going to cry easily from now on."Isaac had called ahead that Irene had delivered their child prematurely, so the child ha
Isaac had to coax Tommy with his toys before the boy finally let go, and Sheryl scooped him up in her arms. "Come in already.""Yeah," Isaac replied, and headed to the bedroom with a hand around Irene's shoulder.Once he closed the door behind himself, he swiftly gathered her in his arms, knowing that she was saddened that Tommy had grown distant to her. "I know you love him, and how difficult it was for you to keep him back then. He loves you, but he needs time to remember since you've been gone for a while."Irene knew that, but she just could not help feeling despondent, so Isaac had to gently pat her on the back.After a while and her mood improved, Isaac let go and said, "I'm getting a bath ready."He headed inside the bathroom, prepared a tub full of hot water that filled the room with vapor. Then, he helped her undress, but Irene caught his wrist. "I can do it myself—""I'll help," he insisted, not because of libido, but only because he wanted to take care of her.It
Isaac looked up at Irene just then. "Yeah?"She wanted to ask if Debbie was responsible, but realized that she had no proof."What is it?" Isaac held her gaze, sitting on the bed just then.Irene hesitated for a moment, but eventually asked, "Did you tell Debbie to come back after James's accident?""No," Isaac replied. "James had her transfer back earlier.""Really?" Irene thought that Debbie did that to James just to make it back, but since the case was the exact opposite, it would look as if she had no motive. It meant Irene's hunch was wrong, and could she have been paranoid?However, she knows that Debbie wanted Isaac, and would be only too eager to return to Isaac's side."What is it?" Isaac asked.Irene shook her head. "It's nothing.""Okay. Now get some proper rest," he said, pulling the blanket over her."Yeah," she said, and closed her groggy eyes.Isaac waited until she fell asleep before leaving, closing the door behind himself.Sheryl walked up to him, aski
Zachary demanded, "And how did you find out?"He was no idiot—only Lulu's close friends knew that she had gone missing, but none of them knew if she was just hiding or dead.Although Ember told him that his mother had a hand in Lulu's death, he never asked her because he was afraid of what she would do.But his own mother had just said that Lulu was dead too. What was that if not an indirect confession? "Are you questioning me?" Mrs. Slate screamed right then. "Is this how you speak to your mother?!"At the same time, Peter Lindt made his move.He and his wife were naturally on their daughter's side, and they certainly were aware of Lulu's death since they had planned it, but Mrs. Slate was the one who pulled the trigger.That gave them leverage against Mrs. Slate, not to mention that they would have Ember's back even if she was at fault. Glaring at Zachary, Peter barked, "I thought you were the best choice of groom for Ember and could take care of her for the rest of her l
Isaac promptly turned back to James, asking, "Is he waking up?"Zachary quickly checked the monitors, but soon said, "No, it's just a routine beep to show that it's working."There was a look of disappointment in Isaac's eyes—it naturally hurt to see James like this. That was when Erin Gooding suddenly entered with an empty bucket, and she did a double take when she saw them. "Oh, it's you."Isaac cast her a cold glance and left the ward in silence.Zachary followed, presuming that Isaac did not know Erin and said, "I never knew that James was dating her. I thought she was up to no good when she showed up.""And?" Isaac growled."She's a fine woman—"Isaac stopped right then, and turned to look Zachary in the eye. "What makes you think that?""I mean, she's been camping outside and slept on the bench when I denied her entry. Seeing that she was sincere, I eventually let her in, and I don't think she's left since. She's caring for him 24/7 and learning from the physiotherapist
The next day, Irene woke up to the sight of a pair of tiny cheeks that resembled Isaac's, and she reached out to touch them.Suddenly, Tommy got up and ran off, though Isaac soon entered.She slept soundly last night. But although she did not know what time he returned, the dark circles under his eyes made it evident that he had not slept.It had been the case over the last few days and weariness showed on his face.Getting up, he told her, "You should sleep."Isaac sat on the bed then and held her hand. "Stan has already hired the best private detectives for the job and I need to meet them soon. I've also arranged for a protection detail for you while I settle things over there."Irene certainly understood that having to travel to and from Minerva was difficult, and could not help feeling sad. She was so preoccupied with her own grief that she forgot Isaac was the father too. He must be hurting too, right? She raised a hand and placed it gently on his cheek.It was a gest