CHAPTER 373: CHAPTER 373: THE CHILD IS GONE?

The two of them took three sets of photos in total: two sets of maternity photos and one set of wedding photos.

Skylar Vance looked at the couple standing in front of the camera in their wedding attire, and her mind began to fill with some chaotic thoughts.

Of course, these thoughts had little to do with the couple in front of her.

She just felt that she was married yet had never worn a wedding dress.

When she fantasized about herself donning a wedding dress with her beloved one day, for some strange reason, she pictured that man as Simon Rhodes.

She quickly stuffed two chips into her mouth and drank most of her milk tea, trying to wash away those inappropriate thoughts.

The couple fussed until past seven in the evening before leaving, and Skylar Vance finally breathed a sigh of relief after seeing them off.

Having skipped lunch, she packed up after work and headed to a restaurant.

She ordered food and sent a text to Simon Rhodes asking about the situation there, but received no reply.

Hospital.

The smell of disinfectant was quite strong.

Simon Rhodes had just arrived at the hospital, and outside the ward, he saw Ronan Rhodes smoking in the hallway.

"Where’s Shannon?"

Ronan looked up at Simon, his expression filled with guilt: "Sister-in-law... She hasn’t eaten anything today and won’t talk to anyone."

Simon Rhodes guessed something and tentatively asked, "What about the child?"

Ronan lowered his eyes, merely shook his head, took a deep drag of his cigarette, then threw away the butt: "It’s all my fault; I didn’t protect sister-in-law."

Simon Rhodes did not blame Ronan; no one wanted such a thing to happen. At this point, it was not about assigning blame but facing the situation.

"Where’s Vincent?"

Ronan shook his head again: "Master Nate left by himself. I haven’t had a chance to trace his whereabouts. I asked Six, and Six said Master Nate went to see him before leaving, only took some money, and left behind the phone I gave him. Now, we can’t reach him."

Simon Rhodes murmured, "Without an ID card, he shouldn’t have gone far."

Ronan: "Master Nate still doesn’t know about sister-in-law’s incident, and we can’t reach him. Master Nate cherished sister-in-law so much; if he regains his memory and learns about this, I’m afraid..."

Simon Rhodes took a deep breath, "Let’s find him first. I’ll go check on Shannon."

The ward was quieter than outside. When Simon Rhodes pushed the door and entered, Shannon Quinn lay flat on the bed, her face pale and lips colorless, eyes closed. Were it not for her wet eyelashes, one might think she was merely asleep.

"Shannon." Simon Rhodes called her softly.

Shannon Quinn’s wet eyelashes slightly trembled; she opened her eyes, revealing a wistful cloudiness that evoked pity.

Simon Rhodes was, after all, a man, and when it came to comforting others, he was at a loss for words: "Are you feeling better?"

Shannon Quinn’s eyelids trembled, and she finally couldn’t help but blink, squeezing out the tears that had been pooling in her eyes, letting them stream down her temples and into the pillow...

She raised her non-IV hand to wipe her eyes, took a deep breath, and with a dry voice said, "Big brother, I want to go home."

Simon Rhodes nodded, "Once you’re discharged, we’ll go home."

Shannon Quinn took a deep breath, her body quivered from crying, and her voice carried a sobbing tone: "I want to go home now."

Simon Rhodes glanced at the untouched meal on the bedside, saying, "It’s too late now. Get up and eat something; we’ll return tomorrow morning, okay?"

Shannon Quinn said in a hoarse voice, "I can’t eat."

Simon Rhodes: "Is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll ask Ronan to go buy it."

Shannon Quinn still shook her head, having neither the mood nor the appetite.

She tried to sit up, and seeing this, Simon Rhodes immediately stepped forward to carefully help her.

Shannon Quinn reached for the water cup on the bedside, taking a small sip, wetting her lips, and muttered to herself, "I shouldn’t have stayed here from the start, should have listened to you all."

Simon Rhodes: "Don’t blame yourself. You still need to take care of your health; Leo is waiting for you at home."

Shannon Quinn nodded, then turned her body away, not wanting others to see her crying as memories of the lost child made her uncontrollably cry.

Simon Rhodes sighed softly, cleared away the cold dishes from the bedside, and went out to instruct Ronan to buy a serving of hot porridge.

Shannon Quinn took only a couple of bites for courtesy’s sake, and seeing her reluctance to eat, Simon Rhodes did not press further, allowing her to rest early.

After dinner, Skylar Vance met an old client; by the time they finished talking, it was after nine o’clock.

She walked towards the residential building while chatting on the phone with Iris.

In the elevator lobby on the ground floor, a man sat on a long bench against the wall. Skylar Vance recognized him instantly but pretended not to notice, heading straight for the elevator door.

Shawn Rhodes lightly coughed, trying to catch her attention.

Skylar Vance continued chatting with Iris on the phone, noticing Shawn approaching through the reflection in the elevator door; only then did she end the call.

At the same time, Shawn’s voice sounded from behind, "Just got off work?"

Skylar Vance lowered her head to put her phone into her bag, looked up at Shawn, and asked with a smile, "President Rhodes, what a coincidence! How did you and your wife find today’s service at our store?"

Shawn Rhodes: "Don’t give me that sarcastic tone."

Skylar Vance: "So what brings President Rhodes here?"

Shawn looked at her for a few seconds. Before coming here and while sitting for so long, he had intended to chat calmly and inquire about her recent situation.

Yet Skylar Vance’s attitude and tone made it difficult for him to engage in a proper conversation.

He said, "Mom wants us to come home for dinner tomorrow night, so prepare yourself."

Skylar Vance replied, "I’m busy tomorrow night."

Shawn Rhodes: "Make time for it."

Skylar Vance chuckled, "If we’re discussing divorce, then I’ll go."

Shawn nodded and laughed, "Alright, you can bring it up."

Skylar Vance asked, "Will you agree if I do?"

Shawn Rhodes: "No."

With that, Shawn turned and left without looking back.

Sitting in the car, he didn’t drive away immediately but instead sat with the car window down, lighting a cigarette.

In fact, Rowan Alder had been urging him to divorce; Skylar wanted it, so he agreed.

Thinking about her being completely out of his control after divorce—and possibly being with the man he despises the most—made him clench his teeth in frustration.

The phone in his pocket rang. Shawn heard it but took a while before paying attention.

Because he knew who was calling.

After finishing the remaining half of his cigarette in two drags, he finally answered the call. Rowan Alder’s voice came through the phone, "Shaw, why aren’t you back yet?"

Shawn Rhodes replied, "I’m on my way."

Rowan Alder said, "If it’s convenient, could you bring me some sour plum juice?"

Shawn Rhodes replied, "Alright."