Early the next day, Jazzlyn and Ethan drove back to Malacca and visited Olivia first.

  When Jazzlyn saw Olivia, her heart broke. Though she was always away and had not attended her wedding, she could tell Olivia was a nice person as compared to her elder sister in law, Michelle, who was always scheming. Jazzlyn was reminded of the invitation card, door gifts, and gifts for the in-laws during Olivia’s wedding. At first, Jazzlyn thought Olivia wanted to taunt her, but when she saw the note from Olivia saying it was specially for her and alone from her, Jazzlyn knew Olivia meant well.

  Olivia stirred awake when she felt her hand being held. The sight of Jazzlyn made her smile. “Jazzlyn…” Olivia called out, wanting to sit up as Ethan helped to press the button to raise the bed.

  “Have you been well?” Olivia asked as Jazzlyn nodded. “My husband… Ethan.” She introduced him to her as Olivia, and Ethan nodded briefly in greeting.

  “What happened, Olivia? Did Oli know?” Jazzlyn questioned while touching her bulging belly slightly as Olivia smiled and shook her head.

  “Why?” Jazzlyn pestered, but Olivia’s eyes averted away. Sensing she wasn’t comfortable, Ethan excused himself outside.

  “Now, can you tell me?” Jazzlyn asked as she took a seat by her bedside and held Olivia’s hand.

  “I don’t know anymore, Jazzlyn. The family is not what it seems anymore. Even Mum cannot stand it sometimes. I think Oli sensed it from our constant arguments in the way he dealt with things. There are things he didn’t explain that are so wrong. The accounts in the hospital are such a mess. I’m not sure if Dad is aware. The losses are huge, Jazzlyn… I have a feeling William is up to no good… The merger is a rescue, but I doubt it would do any good since Dato Kang is only out for money…”

  “How did you know all these? I’m sorry, I haven’t really known you. All I could tell was that you’re a nice person from the gifts at your wedding. Thank you, and I’m sorry I didn’t make it…”

  Olivia shook her head. “I understand… I have studied a little of finance before the marriage. I was handling the accounts briefly till William and his wife fought to take over. Jazzlyn, everything could collapse anytime, and I don’t want Oliver to sacrifice himself. He had been transferring alimony to me, but the amount is more than what is stated on the papers. He…” Olivia choked on her words as she cried.

  “You know how he is. He likes to keep things to himself. He doesn’t want to worry anyone, and he assumes a lot. I don’t know how long he would last. I don’t know how safe it would be for me to reach out. I…” Olivia broke down in the end as Jazzlyn held her.

  Like they always say, it felt easier to open up to a person who is like a stranger to you. Little did Olivia think she would easily do so with Jazzlyn.

  As Jazzlyn put her back to sleep after comforting her, she went to look for Ethan.

  Ethan updated her that it would be best for Olivia to deliver her baby within the next few days. That way, they would be able to ensure her condition stays under control. Jazzlyn agreed to it.

  The next day, Hilbert went off to the new branch in Ipoh to start the new routine on behalf of Jazzlyn first who had to make several arrangements for Olivia. Ethan was left to attend to the Kuala Lumpur branch. Since Olivia had informed Ting Fang of the delivery date to be the next day, Ethan volunteered to drive her over to Malacca, but she rejected cause she had a plan in mind. Besides, she didn’t want to tire her son-in-law.

  Ting Fang was making an excuse to go on a getaway trip with her friends. She purposely got her close friends to visit Malacca, but had them stay in a resort. The night before she left, she went to Oliver’s office with her luggage.

  She knew ever since his divorce, he had been drowning himself in work. He looked as bad as Olivia. Her heart broke for her son.

  “Mum…” Oliver noticed her standing by his room door while staring at him. He quickly went up to invite her in while carrying her luggage for her.

  “How have you been doing? Busy?” She asked as they sat on the couch.

  “I’m alright…” He lied.

  “Oli, is everything fine?” Ting Fang held his hands in hers as he forced himself to nod.

  She knew it wouldn’t be any good to force him to tell everything. So, with her mischievous plan in mind, she decided to make him come with him on her trip.

  “I can’t, Mum.” That was the first thing he said to her after listening to her explain about bringing her luggage and the trip.

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  “It’s just one day. If you don’t come, you will regret this for your whole life! I will make sure I kidnap you tomorrow… I will use a loudspeaker and call for you downstairs…” Ting Fang was trying to be ridiculous to make him give in.

  “Don’t, Mum... It’s just a ladies' getaway. What can a guy like me do there…” He tried to reason with her.

  “My driver!” Oliver sighed at her response. “Dad had many assigned drivers. Choose one.” He pointed out.

  “Still no? Alright, I will mandate your leave tomorrow. Dato Su cannot say no, else he will also kena* from me.” Ting Fang threatened.

  “Mum…” Oliver was frustrated as he didn’t dare to leave the office lately due to the merger. He had no one he could trust fully ever since Olivia left him.

  “Alright, alright, Mum. I will come… But why are you bringing your luggage already?” He tried to appease her first.

  “How can I not? You think you can escape from me? Don’t just say you will come to appease me.” He blinked at how quickly his mother caught him.

  Oliver laughed for the first time in the night, being caught red-handed. It brought tears to Ting Fang’s eyes. She had not heard his laughter in a while. She hugged him as he stopped laughing.

  “Mum, are you alright?”

  “Oli, are you really alright?” Ting Fang tried again to coax him to tell her about his problems, but he chose to lie as she urged him to pack and leave for the day.

  She even woke him at 5 am to drive over to Malacca, and they quickly checked into the hotel earlier than her other friends. She intentionally did so as she was rushing to bring Oliver to the hospital.

  “Mum, what’s the rush? Where are you heading to speed driving like this?” Oliver was reprimanding her while holding to door handle.

  “To not make you regret missing out on this moment.” Ting Fang meant the delivery of his child, but he didn’t know yet.

  “I would certainly not regret ever not sitting in your car!” Oliver closed his eyes right before Ting Fang stepped on the break at the entrance of the hospital. He instantly hopped out of the car, trying to catch his breath. Jazzlyn, who knew it was her mother’s crazy driving skills at the entrance, was caught by surprise at whose car it was and who came with her mother. While Ting Fang alighted in style from the driver's seat, she was yelled at by two people.

  “Mum!” Jazzlyn and Oliver wanted to give her a good scolding for her driving, only to be surprised at each other’s presence.

  “Oli!”

  “Wei Wei?”

  “Oh, here now. We have no time to waste. Wei Wei, Oli, family meeting. Now.”

  “What do you mean, Mum?” Oliver asked while trailing her.

  “Mum, what’s Oli doing here?” Jazzlyn gritted her teeth as Ting Fang brought them both to a corner.

  “Alright. Hear your old lady out.” Ting Fang folded her arms.

  “We need to keep this away from the family. I don’t have much time to waste. I will need to keep up my act in the afternoon when all the tai tai* arrive. Oli also needs to join. But before that, Oli…” Ting Fang held his shoulders.

  “Mum knows how hard it is for you. This family is complicated. But I want you to drop everything for a moment and focus on yourself…”

  “Mum, don’t be absurd…” Oliver wanted to retaliate, but Jazzlyn stopped him. “Listen, Oli. It’s important.” Jazzlyn said solemnly.

  “What’s going on?” Oliver questioned as Ting Fang sighed.

  “What’s going on at your end? Why don’t you tell?” Jazzlyn was a little agitated at his secretive self, and it was getting pathetic.

  “Wei Wei. Stop. It’s between them. Don’t get involved.” Ting Fang kept her under control.

  “Between who?” Oliver was dying from curiosity at this rate.

  “Olivia!” Ting Fang said briefly.

  “It’s over! What else is there to say or do?” Oliver retaliated.

  “She’s risking her life carrying your son! At least have some decency and be responsible! Even with asthma, she still wants to carry that child and signed the divorce papers! How could you treat her that way?! I know you don’t care…” Jazzlyn's rant was interrupted by Oliver.

  “I do care!” He yelled with red, teary eyes.

  “Then why did you divorce her?!” Jazzlyn scolded in return. Oliver couldn’t bring himself to reveal the truth.

  “I really do care for her…” Oliver broke down as Ting Fang held him.

  “Oli… Go, see her… She needs you. Your baby needs to be delivered today prematurely, cause Via had preeclampsia. Don’t worry about the rest and recovery. I have arranged with Old Loong and your sister’s in-laws on her postnatal care.” Ting Fang comforted him, knowing Oliver wasn’t the useless one who had no chance of being saved.

  William was the greedy one with no rescue, just like his father. Oliver was just passive as he dislikes confrontations.

  “Mum… I don’t want to harm her. I don’t want to get all of you involved or be in trouble…” Oliver revealed.

  “Didn’t I bring you here for a vacation? Didn’t I say we have to leave after the delivery?” Ting Fang reminded him.

  Oliver realised his mother had planned it all out. “Mum…” He teared up even more as he held her.

  “Go… Every second counts. Go see your wife…” Ting Fang urged him as Jazzlyn led the way.

  Glossaries:

  *Kena : means to "get" or "experience" something which is usually negative

  *Tai Tai : means cantonese title for married woman. Can be used as flattery or sometimes a subtle insult