Chapter 16 - Chapter 15

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((( SYA )))

"I love you very much," James sobbed excruciatingly as he held her hands tight.

"But if this is what you want, I will."

Miss Mitchelle turned to me. Never in my life will I forget how her eyes brimmed with sadness.

"Sya, please look after my son and make him feel a mother's love. Remind him every day how much I love him."

"Do it," James' voice broke as he spoke to the doctor.

"But I could pay how much it would take if you could save them both."  

He turned back anxiously from his wife as the doctors moved on with the delivery. It was erratically noisy; the clanking of medical tools, the medically related mumbling of the doctors, the beeping machine, and his wife's wailing which then eventually stopped. …He listened for it all at the corner of the room while his eyes remained closed. Then finally…

…the cry of his newborn baby.

He didn't turn at the sound of it, still patiently waiting for the doctor to confirm both was alive.

"I'm sorry Mr. Cantheliz."

It was all he needed to hear to know they weren't able to save his wife. Strength escaped him as he fell heartbroken on the chair. It was the first time I saw him weep that much. I couldn't hold my emotions any longer so I let myself cry at the loss. Miss Mitchelle was a very kind person and her presence would be sorely missed by the household.  

After that, Master James threw all his time to work. He wanted to avert his grief to something beneficial rather than being eaten by it. All the while his son, Zhio, grew up reticent from the lack of his father's attention.  

Heeding the words of Miss Mitchelle before she died, I took courage to speak to Master James. He noticed me and let me in his study room that day. He looked busy as he gathered his things for work whilst sparing some time for what I have to say.

"Oh. How's Zhio?"

"He's good. His tutorial class has just begun."

"I see" he said detachedly.

"Tell my secretary if he needs something."

He was about to leave so I willed to say what I came there for.

"Zhio needs you. He needs a father to grow up along with. Please do consider having some free time out with him."

"He's a smart kid. He should be able to understand my reasons."

At loss for words, I wasn't able to hold myself back.

"But it wasn't his fault…"

He knew exactly what I meant so he looked at me with such cold intensity. I was surprised when he raised his usually monotonic voice,

"Enough! I've been slaving myself already with work! Don't you think I also need some time to rest by myself?"

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