Chapter 1764: Chapter 1764

Chapter 1764

Skyler chuckled and said. “Do I look like I have money to burn? Why would I go looking for trouble? Right now, I just want to focus on my career.”

No matter what choices Skyler made, her friends stood by her side, unwavering in their support.

Hannah casually tossed a date to Cornelia. “Nelly, did you get any sleep last night?”

Cornelia struggled to keep her heavy eyelids from closing. “I slept like a baby, actually. I’ve been sleeping a lot lately. Probably just a bit of car sickness. I’ll be fine soon.”

A thought struck Hannah. “Nelly, don’t tell me you’re… you know, expecting?”

Cornelia, groggy and disoriented, didn’t catch on immediately. “Expecting what?” As the realization dawned on her, she bolted upright, her eyes wide open with panic. “No way, that’s absolutely impossible.”

Rosie chimed in, drawn by the commotion. “You and your husband are both healthy. It would be totally normal if you were pregnant.”e2

Cornelia shook her head in dismay. “You don’t understand.”

After witnessing the agony Cornelia went through giving birth, Jeremy had gotten a vasectomy right after their son Hope was born. There hadn’t been any surprises for years, so how could she possibly be pregnant now?

Cornelia quickly called her personal doctor to get tested at the earliest. When the results came back negative, Cornelia felt a wave of relief wash over her, tinged with an unexpected hint of disappointment. She often wished for her son to have a sibling, yet she worried that a second child might cause her to neglect her firstborn.

No sooner had the doctor left than Steven, donning a checkered apron, emerged from the kitchen. “Honey, could you come here for a sec?”

“What’s up?” asked Hannah.

“Just come here.”

With a hint of curiosity, Hannah walked over. “What is it?”

Steven whispered, “All these years, no matter where we’ve had our dinners, Zavier has been lurking around, never once getting a chance to catch up with Skyler. It’s pretty sad, really. Do you think you could talk to Skyler, let Zavier come over for dinner tonight?”

Years ago, Zavier had sent divorce papers to Skyler shortly after returning to the Capital, and they had officially severed ties.

Since then, Skyler had been engrossed in her work, while Zavier poured his soul back into his career, growing Rivera Inc.’s influence by leaps and bounds.

1/2

08:30

Chapter 1764

Zavier often visited, but he never disturbed Skyler’s life, content to watch over her from

afar.

Skyler glanced over at Skyler, feeling conflicted. “What if Skyler doesn’t want him around? Bringing this up during the holidays might rub her the wrong way.”

Suddenly, Steven wrapped his arms around Hannah in a warm embrace. “Thank you, my love.” He was grateful he had come to his senses early; otherwise, he might be in Zavier’s shoes, longing just to share a meal with the one he loved.

Hannah pinched his waist playfully. “Stop being so mushy right now, go finish up the cooking, I’m starving.”

“The food’s ready to be served. Do you guys wanna eat out in the yard or inside?” asked

Steven.

“With the weather being so nice today, let’s eat out in the yard,” Hannah decided.

Steven nodded. “You go ahead and sit down, I’ll bring everything out.”

Over the years, the men had honed their culinary skills, and soon enough, an impressive spread graced the table.

Skyler raised her glass in a toast. “Here’s to spending yet another New Year together. To enduring friendship.”

Everyone raised their glass in unison, “To friendship!”

Little Lola snuggled in her father’s arms, joining the chorus with a sleepy, “To friendship.”

Hope sat quietly between Jeremy and Steven, not uttering a word.

After a sip of wine, Hannah glanced at the little boy. “My godson, thank you for taking such good care of my daughter.”

Rosie teased, “That’s his future wife, of course he’s going to look after her.”

Skyler raised an eyebrow. “Did you two families really arrange a marriage for your kids?”

2/2

02 20