Sebastian returned to the villa early the next morning. He sank into the couch, rubbing his temples. A hint of exhaustion showed on his cold, handsome face.
“Roxanne, come give me a massage,” he ordered.
After he spoke, there was no response for a long time.
In the past, the moment he got home, Roxanne would rush over with a bright smile and shower him with concern. She would massage his shoulders and try to cheer him up.
He glanced around the large, empty villa. There was no sign of Roxanne.
Instead, Lucy Carter stood hesitantly by the kitchen doorway. “Ms. Sawyer hasn’t come back since yesterday…”
A flicker of impatience crossed Sebastian’s face as he rubbed his brows again.
He knew that Roxanne was angry because he had called off their engagement party the day before. She was throwing a fit again.
He pulled out his phone and opened their chat, seeing the breakup message she had sent him.
His lips curled into a cold smirk. A breakup? She would never leave him.
Standing up from the couch, he grabbed his coat and contacted his chief personal assistant, Nathaniel Olson.
“Nathaniel, book a flight to Arland. We need to attend the MA1 conference.”
Feeling sorry for Roxanne, Lucy stepped forward and said in a low voice, “Mr. Hayes, Ms. Sawyer hasn’t been home all night. Aren’t you worried?”
She was hinting at Sebastian to at least comfort Roxanne. After all, it was hard for any woman to accept a huge event like the engagement being called off last minute.
Sebastian understood her meaning perfectly. He smirked. “I have no time to comfort her.”
With that cold remark, he left immediately.
The conference in Arland would take a week. He would give Roxanne a week to calm down. By the time he returned, she would definitely come back to him on her own.
…
Roxanne took a flight back to Riverton, spending the night at the airport before catching a cab home.
Looking at the two-story small villa in front of her, it was filled with childhood memories that warmed her heart. This sense of belonging was something she hadn’t felt during the seven years of extravagant life in Valoria.
Just as she was about to open the door, she saw someone rush out of the house next door. He was heading in the opposite direction. His footsteps were anxious, urgent.
Roxanne recognized him immediately.
“Shawn!” she called.
In a rush, Shawn Riley startled when he heard the familiar, soft voice. He turned and saw Roxanne smiling at him.
“Rox, you’re back?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I’m back, Shawn.”
Shawn had watched her grow up. He was like an older brother to her, and their relationship had always been great. But over the years, she had been focused on Sebastian in Valoria and hadn’t had the chance to return.
Shawn was shocked for a moment before his eyes lit up with immense joy. He quickly walked over to her.
“Rox, I need a favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“Marry me.”
Roxanne instinctively took a step back.
What kind of favor was this? It was ridiculous.
Shawn realized his request was too abrupt. He quickly explained, his voice tight with emotion, “Hayley ran into trouble in Jorland. She left behind a child, and I have to bring them back. But Jorland’s policies require me to be married in order to adopt. I have no other options.
“Rox, just help me get the marriage certificate. Once I bring the child back, I’ll divorce you right away.”
It was an unreasonable request. After all, by the time they were done, Roxanne would be considered a divorcee.
But right now, Shawn had no other option. There was war in Jorland, and chaos was everywhere. Hayley Chapman was dead, and he had to bring the child back.
Roxanne’s heart ached. She seemed to sense the bad news, her face turning pale and her voice trembling. “What happened to Hayley?”
They had kept in touch. She knew Hayley had been in Jorland. When the war broke out, Roxanne urged her to return quickly. But Hayley never replied.
A tear slipped down Shawn’s cheek. “She’s gone.”
Roxanne’s legs nearly gave out.
Hayley had taken care of her like an older sister when they were kids. She was a warm and strong friend. And now, her only blood relative was in such a dangerous place. They had to bring the child back.
Roxanne immediately said, “Wait here. I’ll grab my documents. We’re going to the city hall.”
Marriage was an easy thing. Both parties would go to the city hall, make a vow, and get a stamp. That was all it took to get a marriage certificate.
She had been with Sebastian for seven years but was never able to complete such simple procedures. Just before their engagement, he had even called it off. It was so ridiculous.
But at least she was still young. It wasn’t too late to turn things around. Her life was still long ahead of her.
Shawn took the marriage certificate, thanked Roxanne, and hurried to the airport.
Time was tight, and every second counted. The longer he waited, the greater the danger to the child.
Watching him disappear into the distance, Roxanne pressed her hands together in silent prayer. “I hope Shawn and Hayley’s child will return safely.”
She didn’t notice the faint white light shimmering around her as she spoke.
