The call was almost immediately answered.

"Aunty, it's Layla." Though Layla used to call Eric her uncle, she still referred to his mother as 'aunty' because Mrs. Santos was exceptionally youthful and beautiful despite her age.

Every time Layla would visit them, she would address Mrs. Santos as 'aunty' and call Eric by his name.

If it was any other time, Mrs. Santos would be overjoyed to have received a call from Layla, but since there was no telling if Eric would get the surgery he needed, her heart was heavy with sorrow, and she could not muster her enthusiasm.

Mrs. Santos hummed in response, and Layla continued, "Aunty, I'm back in Aryadelle, and I want to pay you a visit tomorrow.

Mrs. Santos hesitated before agreeing.

"I won't keep you from going to sleep, then. See you tomorrow," Layla said before ending the call.

Though Mrs. Santos had not accused Layla of anything, Layla was still overwhelmed by guilt.

Meanwhile, in Eric's mansion, Mrs. Santos sat by her bed and sobbed