Her World Shatters (7)

"Evelyn!" Zian's chipper voice said when he picked up. Evelyn couldn't help herself and smiled.

"Zain," Evelyn greeted, choosing to use his western name rather than his Chinese name.

"What's up? Aren't you celebrating today?" he asked. Evelyn quickly blurted things out before she lost her nerve.

"I actually could use your help. Are you busy?" Evelyn asked.

"Uh-I can clear my schedule. What do you need?" Zain asked becoming serious. When he did his voice became two octaves deeper.

"Something happened with Shawn, and I need a ride." Evelyn clenching and unclenching her fists to calm herself.

The phone was silent for a couple of seconds.

"Where are you?" Zain asked.

"I'm at my house. I have a lot of bags..." Evelyn trailed off.

"Evelyn, what's going on?" Zain asked.

"Shawn wants to get a divorce," She said.

"What?!" Zain shouted. He seemed to have thought better and started again in a calmer tone. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Wait for me. Half an hour." Zain said in short incomplete sentences. Evelyn nodded but he had already hung up. Taking a deep breath she walked back out.

When she was back in the room, she saw that the last of her items were getting packed. She waited there until they finished. When they did Evelyn walked to the doors.

"Thank you, you can go." Evelyn said to the maids. Four maids bowed and silently took their leave.

Butler Chu was the last to walk out and bowed his head.

"Mrs. Cheng, what's going on?" He asked in a gentle tone.

"I want your full discretion, Butler Chu," Evelyn said. He nodded.

"You have it." He replied. Nodding Evelyn told him that Shawn wanted a divorce. Therefore she was packing up her stuff and leaving.

"I want to thank you for taking care of me all these years," Evelyn said before she gave a brief recount of this morning. Butler Chu stared at her stunned. He had of course seen the relationship between the two of them over the years and was surprised at the admission of from Evelyn.

He was there when they had got married and Shawn carried her through the threshold all laughter and smiles. He was there when they bickered and teased each other. He was there when they grieved together. They seemed perfect for each other.

Butler Chu didn't voice any of these things. He'd known Evelyn long enough and he was rather fond of her. She was fierce and ran a tight ship. Which was exactly how he preferred things. Evelyn also had a very compassionate side. She listened, observed, and never stopped trying to improve things. Not just for herself but for those around her.

He had no doubt that she was the reason for the high salary raises he had received over the years. He remained loyal to her despite having come from the Cheng family. Not that he wasn't loyal to them, but there was something about someone treating you with dignity and respect that made you respect them.

"If you ever need anything, Xiaoli," he said in a very gentle voice. This was the only time he had ever chosen to use her name. Being elderly he opted only for her Chinese name. She was slightly taken aback by his familiar use of her name.

She smiled softly at him and she felt her eyes mist.

"Thank you," she whispered. She ignored all protocol and hugged him. He froze on the spot. He wasn't usually one to break protocol but just this once, he allowed it. Butler Chu lifted one arm to pat her on the back.

Evelyn pulled back and cleared her throat. They both took a step back and smiled.

"I'll have your bags brought downstairs," Butler Chu said.

"Thank you," Evelyn said. She went back into the room and grabbed her purse, phone, and briefcase. She took the stairs down to the ground floor of the three floor house. When she got down Lady An stepped into the room.

"Xiaoli," Lady An said happily. Butler Chu quickly pulled her aside and whispered into her ear. Her face portrayed shock, dismay, anger, and lastly sympathy. He was no doubt relaying what Evelyn had just told him.

"Lady An, I'm not ready to talk about it," Evelyn said when she saw Butler Chu pull away from Lady An.

She nodded slowly. To Lady An who had seen Evelyn grow up, she thought of her like a daughter. She was there when Evelyn was born and had helped raise her. She knew Evelyn very well.

"Lady An, promise me you won't tell anyone about..." Evelyn said subtly touching her belly.

Lady An understood what she meant immediately.

"I'm more worried about you. Do you want to stay here?" Evelyn asked Lady An. Lady An hesitated a moment before answering.

"Not if you aren't here." Lady An said softly. Before Evelyn could say more, Lady An interrupted her.

"Wait here, I'll bring you some fruit. I know you aren't hungry, but you should still eat something," Lady An said. As she walked back to the kitchen, Butler Chu was heading up the stairs. Their eyes connected for a few seconds longer than protocol allowed. Lady An quickly looked away and went to get the fruits.