“I already know what's going on before all this…” Ting Fang revealed.

  “Mum…” Oliver called out to her, but she stopped him by raising her right hand.

  “I know your marriage suffered because of this.” She told Oliver and Olivia. “I’m sorry…” Ting Fang apologised as the couple empathised with her.

  “And I know you have stayed far away for a long time because of your older brother mostly.” Ting Fang directed at Jazzlyn. “I’m sorry, Wei Wei.” Ting Fang sincerely apologised, which made Jazzlyn’s eyes reddened.

  “William was too pampered when he was alone. That’s why the age gap was huge between the two of you and William. Wei Wei was an accident, but you had become my precious little girl. Like Via, I always wanted a girl.” Ting Fang and Olivia shared a smile.

  “My wish came true. Because of all these, the love William received was no less, though he thinks it is. He was too spoiled. He was greedy, wanting more. It gets worse now, I know. It’s my fault for not teaching him well. It’s not right to pin all his faults on all of your expenses. So…” Ting Fang clapped her hands together.

  “Mum…” Jazzlyn tried comforting her, but Ting Fang was resolute with her decision.

  “Don’t stop me now. William needs to be taught a lesson. If the law says he is to serve jail, then he serves jail time. If he were to pay a fine, he would pay, but I will ensure he is bankrupt. His marriage is a facade. We all know it. I will give her a good ending, don't worry. Whatever it is, I will try to save this child of mine. All I ask is just to support the act till Dato Su decides the time bomb will explode.” Ting Fang was firm, which made the three of them worried.

  “I will support you…” Oliver went over to her to hold her hands as she nodded.

  “We all know the merger is just to save the cash flow. Knowing William, the cash flow won’t last long. The Kangs will eventually blame us. By then, whatever evidence you both have of him, cooperate and share it with the authorities.” Oliver was a little taken aback that Ting Fang knew of his deeds.

  “Does dad know all these, or did you know?” Oliver tried to confirm. Ting Fang was trying to avoid that question, but she knew Oliver wouldn’t let it go.

  “Dato Su is a very wise man. Whether he knows it or not, when his money is involved, he is a hawk. It’s what he was going to do next that mattered.” Ting Fang told Oliver.

  “The reason he had been trying to get Wei Wei to marry Benjamin was to have you both support Oli and Via, but he didn’t expect William and Michelle to have driven Olivia away first. Your father knows how much I adore this daughter-in-law, that I was free to still be in contact with her, but I need to watch my act too from the other couple you see.” Ting Fang explained as Oliver hugged her.

  “Mum… I’m sorry.” Oliver apologised for everything as she gently patted his back.

  “You poor boy… Haven’t I told you not to keep everything to yourself all the time?” Ting Fang reprimanded him as he nodded.

  “Now, you need to do better, son. You have a son now.” Ting Fang urged as he smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

  Jazzlyn felt guilty about her rebellion against her father a little but it didn’t mean she wanted to help out. Ting Fang knew handling Oliver was easy, but with Jazzlyn, it gets tricky.

  “Wei Wei, we aren’t against you and Su Hong. After all, I made a pact with your mother-in-law if possible for you both to marry. It’s really a blessing. Dato Su will have to accept fate. I believe he has other plans in store now.” Ting Fang said while looking at Jazzlyn, who was fully paying attention to her for once.

  “What would it be?” Jazzlyn pestered. “Asking me back again to the hospital to defend? He should have known better before starting a fight with me…” Jazzlyn vented as Ting Fang sighed while Oliver turned around to face Jazzlyn.

  “Jazz, give it some thought…” Oliver persuaded.

  “There’s Benjamin…” She pointed out as Oliver shook his head.

  “It’s different when you’re not blood-related. I may trust him to a certain extent, but I would rather have Via or you around to keep an eye. Via needs time to recuperate, and with the baby, I don’t want to burden her anymore.” Oliver explained. Jazzlyn could understand, but she needed time to discuss matters with Ethan, too.

  “I will think about it. I haven’t even started with my new job. I was supposed to be in Ipoh. They are quite short-handed. In fact, I have to fill in Hilbert’s job later in the afternoon. I have a husband now…” Jazzlyn explained as Ting Fang smiled, understanding that Jazzlyn already knew the answer in her heart, but like father, like daughter. She was being egoistic and needed some time to give in.

  “Alright, let’s wait for the delivery of my grandchild! Oli and I would return to accompany all the Tai Tai* later. I promise to let him sneak out and keep you company tonight, alright, sweetie?” Ting Fang walked over to Olivia as she nodded.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “I have decided…” Oliver announced. “What?” Jazzlyn asked while his gaze met with Olivia’s.

  “Vincent Su. How’s that?” Oliver asked Olivia as she chuckled, feeling her baby kick her a little.

  “He just kicked me! He agrees!” Olivia cheered as Oliver laughed and walked over to hug her.

  Ting Fang beamed at the couple as Jazzlyn smiled. “Mum, you should pick his Chinese name.” Jazzlyn urged as the couple nodded in agreement.

  “Hmm… What about Hao Yu? Meaning a vast universe between you both?” Ting Fang asked as the couple shared a meaningful gaze before nodding in agreement.

  It left Jazzlyn wondering if she would ever get the same treatment when it was her turn to have children, or rather, would she ever want to have a child, given Ethan and her busy schedules.

  While they waited outside the operating theatre, Jazzlyn was pondering to herself about returning to help in the hospital when Ethan’s message startled her.

  Ethan: How’s everything? I miss you…

  Jazzlyn smiled.

  Jazzlyn: I miss you too… She is in the operating theatre. Oli came, and he knows. Things seem to be going well for them, but…

  She was contemplating whether she should give him a call when he called her first. She stepped away to answer his call in the lobby.

  “Hey…” Ethan called out to her sweetly. “Hey…” She sounded a little tired.

  “So… What’s it bothering my queen today?” Ethan asked as she chuckled.

  “It’s a long story, actually.” Jazzlyn updated. “That’s alright… I’m all ears.” He said while sipping his coffee.

  “Hmm… Coffee, I hear?” Jazzlyn could imagine him sipping as he chuckled. “Yes… Now, spill the tea…” They both laughed at his joke as she explained to him the family’s situation.

  “I don’t really know what to do…” Jazzlyn admitted, and Ethan knew she had a soft spot for them after all. Blood was thicker than water indeed, but her problem was not wanting to give in to her father.

  “What do you want to do?” Ethan questioned in return. Jazzlyn took a brief pause and ran a plan in mind. She then discovered Ethan’s question motive as she sighed heavily.

  “You already know it, don’t you?” Ethan questioned as he took another sip of his coffee. “Yes, but… I don’t think I want to step in just yet. There’s Oliver.” Jazzlyn pointed out.

  “There’s also the baby, which is on the way now…” Ethan reminded her. “But there’s still time to buy with Olivia’s recuperation and confinement. I doubt nothing much would happen just yet in this short period of time.” Jazzlyn tried to find her way out of getting involved.

  “Alright. I get it. So, I will see you off to Lahad Datu this weekend and pick you up when you fly in KL to Ipoh thereafter?” Ethan asked as Jazzlyn smiled. “Alright, my beloved husband… I need to head back to see my nephew!” She squeaked excitedly as Ethan chuckled before they ended the call.

  By the time Jazzlyn went back, she was led to the baby nursery by Oliver to accompany Ting Fang, who was admiring her grandson. Oliver quickly went to the normal ward to keep Olivia accompanied.

  “Hey…” Oliver greeted Olivia, who was just opening her eyes. “Hey…” Her voice was hoarse as he helped to dab some water on her lips using the cotton bud.

  “Is Vin Vin alright?” The first thing she asked him was. He nodded and kissed her on her forehead.

  “It had been harsh on you…” Their gazes met as she shook her head. “I don’t want to leave you…” He tightened his grip on hers as she gently rubbed his hand with her thumb.

  “I will be fine… Jazz’s in-laws would take good care of me.” She comforted as he forced a smile before Ting Fang interrupted the couple.

  “Oh, how’s my darling daughter-in-law doing?” Ting Fang’s voice chimed as Olivia smiled when the nurse pushed the crib in with baby Vincent.

  “Mum…I’m good…” Olivia looked a little pale and tired, but Ting Fang knew she had the Loongs’ family's attention.

  “Good…” Ting Fang said as she watched the nurse teach Oliver how to handle baby Vincent. The moment he held him, he was in tears, and so was Olivia. She had never expected Oliver to be able to experience this precious moment.

  Jazzlyn’s eyes reddened as Ting Fang nudged her. “When’s your turn?” She whispered as Jazzlyn giggled at her tease.

  “We aren’t registered yet, Mum…” Jazzlyn reminded her. “It doesn’t matter to me! Give me another grandchild!” Ting Fang demanded from Jazzlyn, who was laughing while resting an arm on her pretentious, sulking mother.

  “Come, let’s meet Popo* and Xiao Yi*…” Oliver cooed as Vincent wriggled in his arms.

  Ting Fang carried him while Jazzlyn touched his palm before Ting Fang went over to Olivia.

  Oliver smiled, meeting Jazzlyn’s gaze. “Thanks… Sis.” He said awkwardly as Jazzlyn chuckled at the way he called her. She nodded, indicating she understood his gesture, but he surprised her by hugging her.

  “I will leave my family in your in-laws' hands. You don’t have to return to help out. I can manage…” Oliver said as Jazzlyn gently patted his back.

  “Don’t be too harsh on yourself. You could still always reach out to me or Ethan.” She offered when they let go, as he nodded.

  “Aww, I don’t want to leave… I want to spend time with you both.” Ting Fang whined loudly.

  “Mum, I promise I will send pictures.” Olivia coaxed, but Ting Fang pouted before Olivia laughed.

  “Go… I promise…” Olivia said as Oliver went over. “Mum, we can always sneak back at night, remember?” He reminded her as she clasped both hands excitedly.

  “Alright, Via! We will sneak back tonight! For now, let me borrow Oli first!” Ting Fang cheered as everyone laughed.

  Glossary:

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

  *Popo: means Grandma in Chinese

  *Xiao Yi: means youngest auntie in Chinese