Early the next morning, Stephen left the room while Yvonne was still sound asleep, hugging the blanket in her arms.

He walked out of the room and instructed the maids not to disturb her slumber. Then he asked one of them to call Ariel to a guest room.

A short while later, Ariel knocked on the door to the room. Her face was brightly lit up in joy, with the corners of her eyes crinkling as she smiled.

"Come in."

She quickly opened the door and strolled over to Stephen, asking, "Stephen, why di