As if seeing through her mind, Mark said, “I can give you time, but not so that you could dismiss me and drag my time along. You have to consider our relationship seriously. If you can’t do it, I’ll just take you back. Don’t ask me to give you up, I can’t.”Arianne felt like something was not right here. She frowned. “This isn’t fair. Either I agree to be with you in the end, or I’ll be forced to go back with you. Don’t I have the right to refuse? If I still can’t do it after consideration, I’ll have to go back with you, regardless—then what was the point of giving me time? To let me persuade myself to be with you? Don’t you think that your request is unreasonable? Normally, shouldn’t it be you giving me time to consider, and if I can’t get it past myself, we’ll go our separate ways?”Mark looked at her and pronounced each word clearly. “That’s right. Me giving you time is only for you to get used to it, to recognize the fact that you won’t be able to leave me. Ever. It’s not for you t
Tiffany was quite astonished. “That works too? They didn’t get a divorce, it’s been years since you saw him, and you don’t even know if he’s dead or alive. Isn’t that too much? If there’s no feelings between them, isn’t it better to get the divorce? They’d both be free then. This, right now, is wasting away your mom’s time… Wow… Alright, I understand. If that’s the situation, we’ll leave your father out of this then.”Jackson was quick to shift the topic. “Since you’re fine, should I arrange it for tomorrow? Stay and keep me company today…”Tiffany glared at him without malice. “I’ve only just gotten back and you’re not letting me go home to my mom? We’ll still meet tomorrow. I’m not staying tonight. Behave!”Surprisingly, Jackson did not insist. “Okay… Go back to spend time with your mom. After tomorrow, it’s going to be ‘our mom’.”In the afternoon, Jackson sent Tiffany home and went to the West’s residence.Summer was home reading a book, carrying her dog. She did not show much of a
Tiffany pinched the inner part of his arm slightly. “My mom is still here. Could you please stop being all clingy?” Lillian said immediately, “It’s fine. Just enjoy your sweet romantic moment. Pretend that I’m not here.” When they reached the West family’s residence, Lillian’s back went stiff. The family residence alone was worth more than a million dollars. She was rather satisfied with her future son-in-law. Summer commanded the servants to clean up the entire estate thoroughly. She even asked the gardener to trim the plants in the garden. Further, she also had her Little Bean changed into an adorable white dress with a bowtie around its neck. When they entered the estate, Little Bean rushed toward Tiffany directly. Surprisingly, she found herself favored by the small animals. She then picked up Little Bean carefully since it was Summer’s pet dog. Summer always adored her pet dog, and she did not dare to be rough with it.Lillian looked at Little Bean and found herself drawn
She headed back to the room and shook Jackson up from his nap, “Hurry, get up and get dressed. Your dad’s back!”Jackson jolted up, “What?”She nodded vigorously, “I’m not lying. It’s true. He’s downstairs. Hurry up and come downstairs with me. I’m too nervous to do this on my own…”Jackson frowned. He leisurely made his way to the bathroom and took a shower, put on some clothes, and went downstairs. His expression turned to ice when he laid his eyes on his father. He did not greet him but pulled Tiffany to a seat on the couch next to him.“You’ve grown, Jackson.”Jackson lifted his gaze and stared at the man in front of him. “People grow. Am I supposed to remain a child in your memories?”His father lowered his eyelids, the depths of his gaze filled with guilt, “It’s all my fault.”Lillian felt curious, but it was still a family affair so she kept her mouth shut. The breadth of Summer’s patience was shocking. She might seem upset on the surface, but she did not fly into a rage.
Jackson truly couldn’t bring himself to smile at all. He pulled her into his arms, “It’s alright. I’m not angry at you. Don’t overthink it. I knew that my mother called him, but I never expected for him to actually show up and so soon too. I was kind of hoping that he’d never come back; I’ve always treated him as if he were dead. It wouldn’t be too bad if he really did come back to live a peaceful life with my mom, but she wouldn’t be able to take it if he leaves again.”Tiffany was at a loss for words, “I’m not really good at comforting people. You should probably try to calm down though. I’ll go and wash off my makeup and get showered. Since you haven’t slept since yesterday, you should get an early night in. I still have to search for a job tomorrow.”She had just gotten up when Jackson pulled her back, “Let’s shower together…”Tiffany blushed from his advances, “What… I’m not used to that. Let’s shower separately. I’ll be done very soon.”Jackson refused to comply. He carried h
Her eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. The powder in the crystal was Rice Ball’s ashes. Perhaps this gift was nothing compared to the price of a branded gift, but it was priceless to her. She never expected for Mark to put in so much effort in this.She carefully hung the dreamcatcher above her bed, pulled out her phone, and sent Mark a message: ‘Thank you.’It was only two simple words, but it carried hundreds and thousands of sentiments. This was the first time she had ever felt moved by him. This cold and distant man had a gentle side to him after all. This time, he had really and truly showed her that he cared, and it wasn’t fleeting.Mark did not reply to her message but called her straightaway. She did not reject his call and answered it, naturally, “Thank you for your present. I’ll be keeping it.”Mark sat on the chair in front of his office desk with a gentle smile on the corners of his lips, “I’m glad that you like it. I actually asked Henry to get it done while I was still
Nina gave her a profound stare as she said, “You’re still in love with him, aren’t you? That’s why you’re trying to persuade me against going after him. I was so outwardly provocative, but you didn’t seem to be angry at all. You really could’ve fooled me.”Arianne did not give an outright response, “Alright, if you’re here to have fun, have fun. Enjoy your food, I’ve got work to do.”Nina stopped talking and began sampling her dessert. The first bite left her in complete shock, “This is clearly the standard of a top notch pastry chef! I’m so jealous; you’re practically perfect in everything you do! My dad’s always criticizing me for my lack of talent. I’m going to have to lock myself away!”Arianne poked her head out of the kitchen, “Don’t exaggerate. How could I possibly make something that good? Mark gave me a recipe from a top class pastry chef. At this stage, there’s nothing to be complacent about, as long as I’m able to make this. By the way, you’re not really here to see me, a
Mark did not insist and waved his hand towards the camera, “Good night.”Arianne clutched her chest as the call ended. She could feel her heart beating wildly against her chest. She had initially thought that she wasn’t boy-crazy in any way and would not be bowled over by his magnetic voice or that face that she had been staring at for more than ten years. Had she gone mad?In Mark's opinion, every time they spoke, they had grown a step closer to one another. It assured him too. Just as he was about to go to bed, his phone rang again — it was a call from Charles Moran.This man who had a good relationship with his father would never contact him for no good reason. The first time they met up after his return to the country was for Charles ask him if he was aware of his father’s b*stard… He frowned and picked up the call, “Hello? Uncle Moran.”Charles answered him, “Mark, I’ve heard that things between you and Arianne are a little delicate now. I was momentarily distracted and lost s