The CEO’s Ex-Wife Is A Famous Doctor

Chapter 56: Vacation Home
Shantelle looked away but was already feeling uncomfortable, her ears feeling warm. She and Evan had walked into the
doorway, holding hands. Thanks to Lucas, constantly staring at their hands. It gave her mixed emotions, the kind that Shantelle
did
not want to entertain.
Evan, on the other hand, was over the moon. It was just a hand, but it was enough to send happy tingles, reaching his heart. He
relished the feel of her soft hands against
his. He noticed how her palm was cold, and
he was happy to keep it warm.
“Woah, nice!” Lucas was amazed at the living room chandelier that he stopped guarding his parents’ hand.
Immediately, Shantelle tried to pull out her hand, saying, “He’s not watching anymore.”
“Oh,” Evan regretfully said. Still, he held
Shantelle’s hand. He pulled her hand up to his face, saying, “Your hands are cold.” He blew air into her hand, covering it with his
palms, saying, “Much better.”
He swore he saw Shantelle jolt a little, then she stiffened and gasped. He wasn’t sure if he was affecting her in a good way, but
he still tried. “Give me your other hand.”
Shantelle hesitated. She glanced to where her parents were, and seeing them studying the pieces of furniture up ahead; she
gave
Evan her other hand. Her hands were indeed
cold, but she wasn’t sure if it was because of
the weather.
He breathed out into her palm, warming her skin. When he let go, he asked, “Does that feel better?”

“Thank you.” Shantelle nodded without saying anything and pulled her hand away. She turned to Lucas, saying, “Be careful,
Lucas.”
Then she left Evan to follow after them.
“I know these aren’t the same pieces of furniture, Evan, but it sure feels like it,
Eleanor remarked, her smile reaching her ears, utterly pleased by what she had seen so
far.
From the living room to the bedrooms on the second and third floor, the Scotts saw how it was kept the way Evan remembered it.
The beds, the cabinets, how they were strategically placed, all the details were nearly perfect, bringing back happy
memories.
“Ah, this was my bedroom,” Shantelle recalled when she peeked through the said
room.
“And it looks the same!” Eleanor said. She
walked up the window and felt the curtains, saying, “The fabric is... also the same.”
What caught William’s attention was how his study had his portrait on the wall, the
same one that used to be there. It was a
picture of him in his doctor’s uniform, his arms crossed against his chest and his chin proudly raised.
After going around the rooms from the upper levels, Evan followed William into the study. Seeing his uncle stare at his photo
much longer, he revealed, “Father had that same photo of you, and that was what I used. I had it blown up and framed.”
“I could not find the same frame, but the
size and the copper-like color are the same, “Evan explained.
The tour around the old Scotts estate lasted

for over an hour with William and Eleanor, especially reminiscing about the old days.
Soon, the sweet scent of bacon, sausages, and toast filled the air, making everyone’s stomach growl. They just realized how it
was already past nine in the morning.
“Let’s all have breakfast. The maids had
already set the dining area,” Evan called. ‘
I’m famished.”
“We are all hungry,” Shantelle said back.
“Me too!” Lucas claimed.
Throughout their meal, the Scotts told Lucas tales about the house. They didn’t
understand it then, but it sparked Lucas’ interest about living in Rose Hills.
1
“When your mommy was little, she used to run around the entire house. Sometimes, she would hide from us, and it would take
longer for us to find her,” Eleanor revealed.
“I have a special spot here, Lucas. I’ll show you later if it’s still there,” Shantelle said.
“Yes, I remember I had that especially made for Shanty,” William added.
“The evergreen maze?” Evan sought. “Yes, it’s still there in the backyard. I just had it trimmed. Lucas would love it.”
“Wow, mommy! I love it here already! So when are we moving?” Lucas said outright.
It wasn’t just the thought of running around a garden maze, but of reliving the memories of his grandparents and mother. Plus,
the
mansion was twice bigger than their home
back in Warlington. Moreover, it had a vast

front and back lawn.
“Um.” Shantelle’s eyes rounded at Lucas’
probing. She turned to her father for help.
William then looked at Evan. After studying his hopeful eyes, William replied to Lucas, Lucas, boy. Your mommy and grandpa still
have work in Warlington. You still have
school too. You have classmates and
teachers that will miss you. Plus, there are about two months left for this school year.
You can’t miss school.”
The way William said it to Lucas made Evan
hold his breath. Hope filled his heart, and he was this close to screaming his joy. However, it wasn’t quite what he expected.
William suggested, “For now, we can come here for vacation, maybe every school break,
sometimes on weekends. Warlington will still be our home. This home can be our
vacation home.”
“Oh,” Lucas did not hide his dismay. He
pouted, “Only on vacation?”
“For now,” William responded. “For now. Let’s see how it goes.”
Turning to Evan, William asked, “Is that okay, Evan?”
“Vacation?” Evan asked.
“Yes, school breaks, holidays, and some weekends,” William proposed. “We can’t just leave our work, Evan. You have to
understand that.”
Evan swallowed air down his throat. There

was absolutely nothing to complain about. He had gone by with many years of nothing – no Shantelle and no Lucas. Seeing
them on vacations was still a reward, and he wanted
to cherish it.
With a smile, he replied, “Of course! Of course!” He exhaled deeply and claimed,
It’s a good start.”
He turned to Shantelle and smiled. She smiled back. Sure, it wasn’t Shantelle’s heart just yet, but there was something in how
she smiled that made it different.
There was a gentleness in the way her eyes gleamed. Moreover, she did not look away. She maintained her gaze on him until he
leaned over and hugged her. Shantelle hugged back, sending tiny jolts of happy electricity throughout his body.
The way Shantelle accepted his embrace felt warm and welcoming. Could Shantelle open up to him, eventually? He certainly
hoped.
His heart craved it so much.
But more than the yearning of his heart,
Evan knew his parents also had their wishes.
Erick and Clara wanted to rekindle the bond
with the Scotts, their old-time friends. When
breakfast concluded, Evan suggested, “My parents are waiting. They have been longing to see you, Uncle, Aunt. Shall we go
see them?”
“Grandma Clara and Grandpa Erick? I miss
them!” Lucas exclaimed.
William and Eleanor looked at each other,
nodding. William said, “We – we want to see

them too. It has been... so long.”
***
Heartbeats later, William and Eleanor stood
in front of the Thompson’s mansion. Erick
and Clara were already outside the door,
their eyes full of yearning.
“William,” Erick called.
“Erick,” William said back. “I’m glad it was
Shanty who operated on your heart.”
On the other hand, Clara and Eleanor smiled
at each other, and the next thing they knew, they were in each other’s arms, crying.
It did not take long for Erick and William to offer each other a manly hug, both
repeatedly lightly tapping their backs.
It was a moment of rekindling, a chance to mend the relationship that was once
forgotten.
“It’s been too long, my friend,” Erick said. “I thought I would die without seeing you
again.”
William continued to tap on Erick’s back. He answered, “I guess fate had other plans.”