Arrange Marriage To A Billionaire

A Culprit ?

Landon's P.O.V

I hung up a call with Harold Kay, a ranch owner whom I met several weeks ago on a construction site. I remembered him telling me that he was taking his mini horses to some circus in NYC for some weeks. I've had an idea popped up in my head when I realized that Lance deserved a fun last day on Earth. De facto, when I suggested this idea to Lance I got a positive response.

I actually read somewhere that animals, especially horses help children with mental retardation to communicate better. Plus, horses bond very quickly with children, particularly with the ones suffering from diseases.

I went to inform Lance that his horses were coming very soon. It was only for those mini horses that Lance accepted to sit on the wheelchair. The news made Lance even happier and I gave him a small smile. I ruffled his hair before going to tell the girl who was with Evelyn earlier in Lance's room, Saige, whose name I gathered from bits of conversation about the arrival of the animals.

She was looking after a group of children, paying attention to their talks. I approached her.

"Saige. I made the call for the mini horses. They'll come in half an hour. You can start your preparation for their arrival."

"Okay." She nodded her head. "And thank you for this sweet gesture. It'll give Lance immense pleasure to play with those mini horses." She offered a smile before going inside and I nodded.

As soon as we had enter the playground earlier, I had inform Saige about my plan of bringing the horses and she gave her approval by showing her appreciation and excitement.

I looked over to find Evelyn with a small boy with messy hair whose legs were wrapped around her waist. She talked to him before setting the child down and going toward Lance. I followed her.

Soon, she was interrupted in her tracks by a blond girl who I guessed worked there.

"How is Lance doing, Evelyn ? Is he going to be alright ? What did the doctors say ? " She bombarded Evelyn with questions and I was sure if she hadn't notice me behind Evelyn, she would have asked more questions.

"Lance... is not very well. He's.... uhm." Evelyn looked away and sighed.

I put a hand on Evelyn's back and stood beside her. "The doctor said that Lance hasn't got much time left now." I informed the girl before giving Evelyn a little nudge at the back.

We both heard the girl gasped but we walked away before she utters anything.

We went where Lance was and Evelyn sat on the ground beside him. He climbed into her lap and Evelyn enveloped him like a baby in her arms and lay her chin on top of his head, eyes closed.

They stayed like this for a long moment and I saw tears leaving Evelyn's eyes. She wiped them and kissed Lance at the top of his head.

"I love you baby. I love you so so much, Lance. Never forget that, honey." Evelyn closed her eyes and held him tightly.

By this time, the whole staff knew about the upcoming tragedy. Everyone except some children, were looking at Evelyn and Lance. The air became heavy.

"Am..am I go..going to die, Evie ?" Lance softly asked Evelyn but loud enough so everyone could hear. 'Fred- Freddie was sad like you.'

Freddie was one the doctors who analysed Lance's health for years.

Evelyn took a few breaths and wiped her tears before replying. " You remember the beautiful story that I told you once, about God and his fairies ? "

After some seconds he replied. "Yes ! And..they all live...in a place where--where there...are a lot of butterflies ! "

"Yes, my love. You remember I told you, we all came from there and one day we have to go back ?" Lance nodded without tearing his gaze away from Evelyn's face. "Well, maybe now you will get the chance to go back to that land where there are lots and lots of colorful butterflies and birds, where there are big rainbows, waterfalls and loads of cookies and cupcakes to eat. You may also be able to fly there, along with the angels who will be there to guide you and to play with you whenever you want and wherever you want."

"Really ?" Lance actually got very excited after hearing Evelyn. "But won't you be there also ?"

"I am always with you baby. Here, in your heart. And you are in mine as well." Evelyn put Lance's hand on her heart while hers lies on his. A smile rushed to his lips and Evelyn reciprocated a smile with extra tears. "I am...tired, Evie. I feel..sleepy." He fluttered his eyelids and coughed a little. A little blood came out of his mouth. Evelyn's facial expression changed instantly. From depressed to worried and scared.

I removed my handkerchief, bent over to Lance and Evelyn and wiped the blood over his mouth. "How are you going to see the horses if you're going to sleep ?" I asked him intentionally to drive away his sleepiness. "Come on you little man. You need to wake up !" I said before tickling his armpits and on the sides of his belly. The latter erupted into peals of laughter.

Unintentionally I came too close to Evelyn and our eyes connected for a few moments. She gave me a weak smile that felt genuine. This was a different side of her. A motherly side of her. A side that I would have appreciated in my own mother more than a decade ago.

I picked Lance in my arms. "Can I...ride a horse ?" Lance whispered to my ear.

I walked toward a table, where there were small glasses of water and took one of it. I touched the edge of the glass with his lips and he drank all the water in one long gulp. "Yes you can."

"Why was...Evie..crying ?" He looked at me expectantly.

"Because she cannot go to that beautiful place. She isn't lucky like you." I caressed his pink cheek.

"But I want her.. to come...with me." He made a sad face.

"She cannot come with you. God has invited only you to his extremely beautiful place. And from there you might even be able to see us. You'll have more friends there who'll love you as much Evelyn does." I tried really hard to explain to Lance in context of Evelyn's story. Although I personally disapproved of lying or sugarcoating the truth, I sort of agreed with Evelyn . This story did not only gave Lance relief but also to Evelyn. She might not know it but she was taking the support of something imaginary to lighten her sadness temporarily. Very temporarily.

''Landon, look !''

Harold Kay was here with his mini horses. His workers were helping the mini horses to get down from a big truck.

Harold was walking a silky white little pony towards us. ''Mr Mckendrick. Here is your pony,'' he said with an accent.

''I owe you one,'' I said before Evelyn interrupted our conversation.

''Hello sir. Do you mind if I borrow Mr Mckendrick for a second ?''

''Sure. Uhmm I'll go check on the horses,'' said Harold looking back and forth at us.

''Lance, go and join Sarah. She is waiting to play with you.'' Evelyn told him off.

She waited until Lance was far away enough to speak. ''When were you planning to tell me about this ?''

''About what ?''

''About these mini horses ! What else would I be talking about ?''

''I already talked to Saige about the horses. She didn't see any reason to deny my offer. Plus, Lance is so much happier now.'' I crossed my arms and looked at her intently.

''What do you mean 'Lance is so much happier now' ? I can take care of Lance's happiness. I've been doing that for--'' Evelyn became agitated.

''There's no point getting agitated, Evelyn,'' I interrupted her. ''There is nothing wrong with the ponies. You are just troubled with Lance. That's all.''

My mobile rang and I took it out of my pocket. It was Xenon.

''Excuse me,'' I said to Evelyn.

I walked a few steps away from her and turned toward her.

I took the call. ''Speak.''

''Heard you lost at the auction.''

''Yeah. That scumbag bid higher than me.''

''That is why I called you. Ian actually just bid a couple of hundreds of dollars higher than you. At first I thought someone leaked the amount the money you were bidding from the office but now I don't think so,''

''Why ? What did you find ?''

''The auctioneer had already finalized your name but Ian changed his bid at the very last minute. It means--''

''It means that he was informed about my bid the very last minute.''

''Yes. Do you have any idea who it can be ?''

I looked directly at Evelyn. ''I might have.''