Ethan smiled, looking at the close-knit friendship of his wife and the duo. He envied them but was grateful that his wife was always well taken care of.

  A text message from his mobile distracted him.

  Su Huang: Didi*, when are you back again?

  Ethan: In two days. Can’t leave Hilbert alone for too long.

  Su Huang: Is sis in law following too?

  Ethan: Yes, shortly cause she would have to fly over the weekend. Why?

  It took a while to receive a response this time.

  Su Huang: Your mother-in-law and sister in law are here with health trouble. We are to ward your sister in law discreetly till her delivery. We have to administer her delivery in the local hospital here due to her preeclampsia. It’s a premature baby. We weren’t supposed to say anything to you both, but Didi*I felt it’s best if you all know and could support her sister in law, especially since she is quite down from her recent divorce.

  It took Ethan by surprise as he replied in acknowledgement and wondered about ways to convey the message to Jazzlyn later.

  Meanwhile, Ting Fang was catching up with Old Loong at the main hall after paying her respect to Mei San.

  “My apologies for so many things, Old Loong. It’s been too long since we caught up like this. Have you been well?” Ting Fang asked as she took a seat next to him.

  “Sigh, we are old now. There’s no need to apologise for anything. Otherwise, do you think I will allow your daughter to be mine too?” Old Loong nagged playfully as Ting Fang laughed.

  “Aiyo*, thank you so much for being so accommodating. That baby girl of mine is no longer such a baby. To come and think of it, it felt like only yesterday did I jokingly tell Mei San how it would feel like to have both kids in our belly marry. And pop now you see, they are married.” Ting Fang reminisced as Su Huang poured them some tea.

  “Cut the nonsense away. Why are you here? That Old Su would not let you leave anyhow.” Old Loong harumped.

  “Oh, thank you… You are…” Ting Fang asked Su Huang, ignoring Old Loong’s question for a moment.

  “I’m Su Huang. The youngest among the girls. Su Qing is in the kitchen. Su Lan is at the entrance with her husband, Hilbert, looking at patients.” Su Huang explained.

  “Enough, enough. You want to introduce your stray cats and dogs, also?” Old Loong reprimanded Su Huang, whose smile turned into a frown before she excused herself.

  She had noticed Olivia to be rather pale and tired for a pregnant woman, so she quickly went to fetch a pillow for her back.

  “This is my daughter-in-law, Olivia. She has preeclampsia, like I said earlier…” Ting Fang explained.

  “We cannot help her. Your husband is an expert in foreign medicine. Why come find traditional medicine?!” Old Loong was pissed off as he wanted to get up when Su Huang returned with the pillow.

  “Aiyo, Ah Pa* you already said no need to apologise, and is sister in law’s family. Why are you refusing to help this poor girl? You see, she is so pale…” Su Huang went over to Olivia.

  “Have you not rested well?” Su Huang asked as she placed the pillow at her back and tried listening to her heartbeat via Olivia’s wrist.

  “Ah Pa…” Su Huang was often playful among family members, and rarely did she ever use a serious tone on anyone. This time, Old Loong knew it was serious.

  “Get Su Lan and Hilbert to check on her.” Old Loong instructed.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  “She needs to be warded…” Su Huang said as Old Loong waved at her to fetch the couple.

  “Why is she so weak? How could you take care of other people’s daughter so poorly?” Old Loong reprimanded Ting Fang.

  “Sigh… Yes, I’m a total failure. I married the wrong man. I had useless sons, and now my daughter has almost disowned me. Even I can’t protect my favorite daughter-in-law properly. I fail as a wife and also a mother.” Ting Fang blamed herself as Old Loong sighed.

  “Mum, it’s not your fault that we divorced…” Olivia tried comforting her, and it came as a surprise to Old Loong.

  “How is it not? I don’t know what Oliver is thinking anymore…” Ting Fang lamented.

  “He is protecting me… and us. At least that’s what I want to believe.” Olivia finally admitted.

  Ting Fang tried to clarify when Su Lan came over alone in her wheelchair, hastily, with Su Huang, as Hilbert is swamped with other patients.

  “Oliver still pays me the alimony, but more than the amount stated in the papers. He seemed to be transferring all he could to me, but he is not answering any of my questions.” Olivia finally revealed it to Ting Fang.

  “Via… Does Oli really not know about your baby and condition?” Ting Fang reconfirmed.

  “No, he doesn’t. How could I, Ma*, when he wants to protect me?” Olivia's eyes reddened as Ting Fang gently patted her shoulder.

  Su Lan, who had listened in a little, decided to take the chance to greet Ting Fang. “Auntie Ting Fang. It’s been a long time.” Ting Fang was taken by surprise at how alike she was to Mei San.

  “Oh… Su Lan… You look so much like Mei San… You must be the one my baby girl saved from the accident…” Ting Fang went to hug her.

  “Yes, Auntie. And it’s only right for me to return the favour and help save her and your grandchild.” Su Lan said as Ting Fang sighed.

  “Thank you so much… Her condition…” Ting Fang was speechless.

  “Don’t worry… We will need to send her to a nearby hospital to get a further check-up first. Only then can we decide from there on how to use traditional medicine to help strengthen her womb and recovery. For now, we cannot do much.” Su Lan suggested as Ting Fang nodded in agreement to the arrangements.

  “Alright, we will follow your arrangements. Don’t worry about the cost. I can pay anything for them. But I cannot stay here. I need to trouble all of you to look after her on my behalf. I don’t want to trouble all of you any further because of that Old Su.” Ting Fang apologised profusely.

  “It’s fine. Don’t worry, Auntie. We will keep you updated. If needed, especially during delivery, we will inform you. You can come if you can make it; otherwise, we will help to look after her well.” Su Lan gave Ting Fang the assurance she needed as they went on with the hospital check-in.

  Ethan was still finding the right time that night to speak with Jazzlyn about the matter while they were gaming. He had repeatedly lost on several games because he couldn’t concentrate with his troubled heart. Jazzlyn had noticed his restless self. She decided to call it a night, which made the girls a little disappointed but also understanding since they were still newlyweds.

  “Are you alright?” Jazzlyn finally popped the question in the car when Ethan was about to drive.

  “Come on, talk to me. What’s going on? I have seen you play so well while we cook. Why the sudden loss of concentration?” Jazzlyn pestered.

  “It’s your sister in law.” He revealed.

  “Which?” Jazzlyn frowned.

  “Olivia…”

  “What’s wrong? What did she do?” Jazzlyn began to panic.

  “She came to find Dad for help with Mum today,” Ethan explained.

  “Why?”

  “She has preeclampsia. Su Huang says the baby needs to be delivered prematurely, else Olivia might be in danger.” Ethan could tell Jazzlyn was worried.

  “Where is she now? How’s her condition?” Jazzlyn nearly wanted to give her mother a call, but decided not to, as it might alarm her father.

  “She is warded for now to monitor her condition before Su Lan can decide on a womb strengthening or recovery plan… She had been under a lot of pressure lately due to her divorce.” Jazzlyn nodded, agreeing to the fact.

  “Yes, I don’t think Oli knows about the pregnancy. There’s something very suspicious about their untimely divorce that I just couldn’t figure out. Mum isn’t telling either.” Jazzlyn wondered to herself.

  “Mum is back to not alarm Dad.” Jazzlyn looked away when she heard the way he addressed and acknowledged her father, who didn’t deserve it.

  Ethan held her hand as she pushed away her hatred for her father. “Shall we return earlier? Tomorrow? I want to see her myself.” Ethan nodded in agreement to her questions before driving home. Her heart was filled with warmth from his understanding self, but she was guilty for all the trouble her family had brought upon his. She began to contemplate on cutting ties with her father once and for all.

  Glossaries:

  *Didi - means younger brother in Chinese

  *Aiyo - a flexible expression to express pain/surprise/disappointment

  *Ah Pa - means father in Chinese

  *Ma - means mother in Chinese