Chapter 259: Her Preferred Choice

Hannah Sterling stood motionless as she watched the young woman walk away with her grandson. For several long seconds, she couldn’t bring herself to speak or even take a step. Her mind was still trying to make sense of everything that had just happened.

’A young woman claimed she was Skylar’s mother?’

The question echoed through her thoughts again and again.

Her gaze remained fixed on the retreating figures until she noticed the young woman stop to speak with several men waiting nearby. Hannah didn’t recognize any of them personally, but their posture and attentive manner told her all she needed to know. They were clearly trained security personnel. Judging from the way they addressed the woman with respect, she guessed they were Skylar’s bodyguards.

Another question surfaced in her mind.

’Is she really Little Sky’s mother?’

The possibility unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.

She immediately dismissed the thought.

’No... she must be lying. Zach has never mentioned another woman. Every time Kennedy and I asked about Skylar’s mother, he avoided the subject and even told us to stop asking.’

Even so, she couldn’t ignore the confidence in the young woman’s voice. There had been no hesitation when she claimed to be Skylar’s mother, and what disturbed Hannah even more was Skylar’s own reaction.

The boy hadn’t looked frightened or uncomfortable around her. Instead, he had run straight into her arms, defended her without a second thought, and repeatedly called her "Mommy."

No nanny could earn that kind of trust.

Hannah slowly shook her head, trying to push those confusing thoughts aside for the moment. She watched as the woman and Skylar disappeared into the crowd before finally turning toward the assistant who had accompanied her throughout the morning.

"Find out where they went," she instructed calmly. "And find out who those men she spoke with were."

"Yes, Madam," her assistant replied before hurrying away.

Hannah remained where she was for another moment, her thoughts still tangled. Just as she was about to leave the store, Jessica called out from beside her.

"Aunt Hannah..."

Hannah turned toward her. And saw Jessica’s expression had changed completely. Gone was the anger she had shown only moments earlier. Instead, she looked apologetic, almost as though she regretted what had happened earlier.

Jessica bent down to pick up her baseball cap, then placed it back on her head. She tucked several loose strands of hair behind her ear, hiding the redness on her cheek as much as she could. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft and gentle.

"Auntie, even though that woman humiliated me, I won’t pursue legal action against her. I don’t want to make trouble for you or little Sky."

Her tone was remarkably different from the sharp, accusing voice she had used when confronting Sienna only minutes ago.

Then, as naturally as though nothing unpleasant had happened, Jessica slipped her hand around Hannah’s arm and smiled sweetly.

"Come on, Auntie. Let’s keep shopping. You wanted to buy a birthday present for little Sky, didn’t you?"

Hannah looked quietly at the younger woman.

Normally, she would have agreed without hesitation. In fact, today’s outing had been arranged because she herself wanted to spend time with Jessica. She had always liked the young actress and had secretly hoped Jessica and Zachary would eventually find their way back to each other.

But after what had just happened, her thoughts had shifted completely.

There was something about the young woman’s words that refused to leave her mind.

"I suggest you ask Zach first before you say something you’ll regret later."

The sentence replayed over and over.

If that young woman had been lying, why had she sounded so certain? Why had Skylar defended her so fiercely? And why had Skylar’s own bodyguards treated her with such respect?

Those questions were becoming impossible to ignore.

Hannah offered Jessica a small smile, though it lacked its usual warmth.

"Jessica, something urgent has come up...we will have to arrange another time to meet."

Jessica’s expression changed almost instantly. First came surprise. Then disappointment. A hint of panic quickly followed before she managed to compose herself again.

"But, Aunt Hannah, you promised we’d go shopping and have lunch together. Why are you canceling now?"

"Jess..."

Before Hannah could explain, Jessica interrupted her.

"Auntie, I even rearranged my filming schedule so I could spend today with you." She lowered her eyes, looking genuinely saddened. A moment later, however, she forced a bright smile back onto her face and gently squeezed Hannah’s arm. "Let’s at least have lunch together, Auntie. Please?"

A trace of guilt crossed Hannah’s face.

Jessica wasn’t wrong.

She had been the one who insisted they meet today. More importantly, she had wanted another opportunity to encourage Jessica and Zachary to reconcile. She had never hidden the fact that Jessica was still her preferred choice for a daughter-in-law.

"I’m sorry, Jessica," Hannah said gently, patting her hand. "We’ll arrange it on another day. If changing your filming schedule causes you any inconvenience, please let me know in advance. I’ll compensate you for the hardship you will have to endure."

Jessica opened her mouth as though she wanted to protest again, but no words came out. Although she maintained her gentle smile, the disappointment in her eyes was impossible to miss.

After a brief silence, she spoke again in an almost pleading voice.

"But, Auntie... promise me you’ll arrange a meeting with Zach. I really need to see him."

Hannah looked at her for a long moment before nodding.

"Of course. I’ll arrange a meeting between the two of you. Don’t worry."

Jessica’s face brightened immediately.

"Thank you, Auntie."

She smiled warmly before finally releasing Hannah’s arm, allowing her to leave.

Just as Hannah turned to go, Jessica spoke again, this time in a quieter voice.

"Auntie... about that woman earlier... Who was she? Is she really Little Sky’s mother?"

Hannah frowned slightly.

"I don’t know," she admitted honestly. "But I do know one thing. My son has never introduced a wife to me, and as far as I know, he isn’t married."

She paused before adding meaningfully, "So you still have a chance to return to him... if Zach still loves you."