Chapter 20

Roselyn stood in the corner of the shopping mall, surrounded by opulent displays and lavish storefronts. She gazed blankly at the rows of designer boutiques, her fingers mechanically clutching Alexander's black card, but her mind was elsewhere, numb to the allure of luxury goods, for she had demanded these indulgences solely to deceive Alexander into believing she was a gold-digger, eager to drain his wealth; little did he know her true intentions.

Her attention drifted to a nearby children's toy shop, where two young children had been pleading with their mother to purchase a coveted toy, their bright eyes sparkling with longing, only to be met with a stern refusal as their mother dragged them away, their disappointed wails echoing through the corridor.

Roselyn's gaze followed the fleeing family, her expression softening, a pang of sorrow stirring within her as memories from her own past began to resurface, echoes of a childhood marked by scarcity and longing, the ache of unfulfilled wishes, and the haunting realization that some dreams remained forever out of reach.

Her thoughts lingered on the children's crestfallen faces, their innocent eyes clouded by disappointment, and Roselyn felt an unexpected lump form in her throat as the harsh realities of her own life, the struggles and the sacrifices, came flooding back, threatening to shatter the carefully constructed facade she had built around herself.

Roselyn's thoughts drifted back to her childhood, a poignant memory resurfacing with crystalline clarity, a day when her grandfather's promises of future indulgences couldn't assuage her longing for a Barbie set and bubble gun.

"Grandpa, please, I want that Barbie set and bubble gun," she had pleaded, her eyes sparkling with desire, only to be met with a gentle but firm refusal.

"My love, I'm sorry, I can't buy this for you right now, but I promise I will definitely give it to you next month," her grandfather, Michael Carson, had said, his voice laced with regret.

Roselyn's face had fallen, her voice trembling as she whispered, "You always say that; I wish my dad was here," before turning and running away, leaving Michael looking on with sadness-tinged eyes.

As he watched her go, his gaze fell upon his nearly empty pockets, the few coins within a stark reminder of their financial struggles, and he couldn't help but echo Roselyn's sentiment, "I really wish your father was here."

Fate, it seemed, had other plans, for in that moment, a car careened out of control toward a man standing on the sidewalk, prompting Michael to spring into action, pushing the stranger to safety, and falling to the ground himself as the car crashed into a nearby tree.

The stranger, shaken but unharmed, rushed to Michael's side, helping him up. "Oh God, are you okay?" His voice was filled with gratitude.

"I'm fine, Mister...?" Michael replied, his eyes locked on the stranger.

"Valtor, Edger Valtor," the man replied, his handshake firm.

"Michael Carson," he reciprocated, "and thank you, Edger, I'm fine."

Edger's gaze fell upon Michael's injured hand. "You're bleeding, Michael. Let me help."

As Edger pressed a card and some cash into Michael's hand, he said, "This is my card; if you need anything, contact me directly; you are my friend from now on. Please treat yourself."

With Edger's generosity, Michael returned to the toy shop, purchasing the coveted Barbie set and bubble gun, his heart swelling with joy as he sought out Roselyn.

He found her sitting on a nearby bench, an ice cream cone in hand, and asked, "Roselyn, my love, why are you here, and who gave you this ice cream?"

Her eyes sparkling, she pointed to the packages in his hand. "What's that, Grandpa?"

As he revealed her beloved toys, Roselyn's excitement was short-lived, her gaze falling upon his injured hand. "Grandpa, you're hurt!"

But to Michael's surprise, Roselyn didn't cling to the toys; instead, she vanished, only to return with a medical kit, gently tending to his wounds.

"Baby, why did you buy all this?" Michael asked, touched by her selflessness.

Roselyn's smile was radiant. "You're hurt, Grandpa; I don't want that Barbie; it's a boring toy," before embracing him tightly.

As Michael held her close, a tear escaped her eye—a profound sense of love and sacrifice forged in that moment, a bond between them that would forever remain unbroken.

Little did they know, Edger Valtor's kindness would one day weave their fates with his own family's in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

The memory lingered, a bittersweet reminder of their past struggles and the depth of their love, as Roselyn stood in the shopping mall, her thoughts a thousand miles away.

"I miss you, Grandpa," Roselyn whispered, her gaze drifting back to the present as memories of their past struggles and happy moments together flooded her mind.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of two boys standing wistfully outside a toy shop, their eyes fixed longingly on their favorite playthings.

Her heart swelled with compassion, remembering her own childhood struggles.

She approached the boys, her smile warm. "Do you want that?" she asked, nodding toward the toys.

Their faces lit up as they nodded in unison.

Roselyn ushered them into the shop. "You can take whatever you want," she said, her eyes shining with generosity.

The boys' faces transformed into beaming smiles as they gathered armloads of toys.

Roselyn's gaze fell upon a bubble gun, and she smiled, remembering her own childhood delight.

She purchased the bubble gun along with the boys' selections, and as they exited the shop, their mother appeared, frantic with worry.

Upon spotting her sons, she exhaled a sigh of relief, eyes widening at the abundance of toys.

"Children, how did you buy all this?" she asked, incredulous.

One boy looked up, his face aglow. "Mumma, this angel has given us everything."

Roselyn's smile deepened as the mother's grateful gaze met hers.

"Sorry, my children troubled you; please take all this back; I cannot pay for them," the woman offered.

Roselyn waved her hand. "No problem; consider all this as a gift from me; you don't need to pay."

With heartfelt thanks, the family departed.

Roselyn walked a distance before realizing she still clutched the bubble gun.

She turned, but they were gone.

Settling into her car, Roselyn pondered her next move.

"What should I do to irritate my husband?" she mused.

A sly smile spread across her face. "I'll go to his office today."

With newfound determination, Roselyn set off toward Alexander's office.

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Roselyn pulled up to the Valtor Enterprises building; memories of her rare visits flooded her mind. She stepped out of the car, her heels clicking on the pavement, and strode toward the entrance, the bubble gun tucked discreetly into her designer handbag.

Upon entering the sleek, modern lobby, Roselyn was immediately recognized by Alexander's employees, who greeted her with warm smiles and respectful nods.

She made her way to Alexander's cabin, her determination to irritate him growing with each step.

As she approached the cabin, she spotted his assistant, who rose from his seat to greet her.

"Where is he?" Roselyn asked, her voice firm but laced with a hint of impatience.

"Sir is busy in a meeting; you can wait for him in the cabin, Mrs. Valtor," the assistant replied, his tone polite.

Roselyn nodded, sweeping into the cabin with a quiet confidence.

She settled onto the plush couch, scrolling through her phone as the minutes ticked by.

More than an hour passed, but Alexander failed to appear.

Restlessness crept in, and Roselyn's boredom turned mischievous.

She set her sights on Alexander's immaculately organized workspace, a sly grin spreading across her face.

Files were scattered from the shelf, papers fluttering to the floor as she rummaged through his belongings.

Next, she commandeered his desk, the bubble gun emerging from her handbag.

With a delighted giggle, she triggered the bubble gun, a kaleidoscope of iridescent orbs erupting into the air.

Roselyn twirled amidst the bubbles, her laughter echoing through the cabin.

The chaos she created was a masterpiece—papers awry, furniture rearranged, and bubbles dancing in the sunlight.

Exhausted from her creative destruction, Roselyn collapsed onto the couch.

As the silence enveloped her, her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she drifted into a peaceful slumber.

The bubble gun lay abandoned on the floor, its last remnants of soap dissipating into the air.

Alexander's cabin, once a sanctuary of order, now resembled a whimsical playground, awaiting its master's return.

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Alexander exhaled deeply, relief washing over him as the grueling four-hour meeting finally drew to a close.

"No more meetings," he declared, gathering his papers with a weary smile.

"I'm going home; I have to go to my wife—I'm missing her so much," Alexander said, a hint of longing creeping into his voice.

Tyler, his business partner, raised an eyebrow, chuckling.

"Wife? Are you really Alexander?" Tyler teased, and both men shared a hearty laugh.

Their assistant's eyes widened, his expression startled.

"What happened to you?" Tyler asked, curiosity etched on his face.

The assistant's nervousness grew, his voice trembling.

"Sorry, sir, I forgot to tell you, but Mrs. Valtor is waiting for you in your cabin," he revealed, bracing for Alexander's reaction.

Alexander's fatigue vanished, replaced by surprise and excitement.

"Since when?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"She came here only five minutes after the meeting started," the assistant replied, wincing.

Alexander's gaze locked onto the assistant, incredulous.

"In the past four hours?" he repeated, his tone laced with disbelief.

"Idiot," Alexander muttered, shaking his head, before swiftly rising from his seat.

Without another word, Alexander strode toward his cabin, his long strides fueled by anticipation.

Tyler's amused voice trailed behind him.

"Looks like someone's priorities have shifted!" Tyler called out, chuckling.

Alexander's response was a distant smile, his focus solely on the woman waiting for him.

As he approached his cabin, his heart quickened, wondering what had brought Roselyn to his office.

He pushed open the door, and his eyes scanned the room, searching for the woman who had captivated his thoughts.

The sight that greeted him was anything but expected.

Papers scattered, furniture rearranged, and the lingering remnants of bubbles dancing in the fading light.

His gaze wandered, searching for the culprit behind this whimsical mess, until it landed on Roselyn, peacefully slumbering on the couch.

Alexander's footsteps softened as he approached her, his heart swelling with affection.

He gently brushed aside the strands of hair veiling her face, revealing the serene beauty of his wife.

A tender smile spread across his lips as he became lost in the innocence of her features.

"How can someone be so breathtakingly beautiful and innocent?" he wondered, his thoughts filled with admiration.

"No one would ever suspect that behind this angelic face lies a firecracker, a woman who can ignite passions and spark chaos," Alexander mused, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

He knew Roselyn's intentions – to provoke him, to test his patience – but Alexander's resolve remained unwavering.

"I won't let you go, Roselyn," he whispered, his voice filled with conviction.

"I'll never let you go; I want you standing next to me, always."

Alexander's lips grazed her forehead in a gentle kiss.

As night descended, and the office emptied, Alexander carefully lifted Roselyn into his arms.

Without disturbing her peaceful slumber, he settled her into the car.

The drive home was filled with the soft hum of the engine and Roselyn's gentle breathing.

Upon arriving, Alexander carried her to their bedroom.

He tenderly laid her on the bed, covering her with a quilt.

"I hope you had a wonderful time today, buying whatever your heart desired with my money," Alexander whispered.

"I'd give you my heart if you asked for it; I love you, wifey."

His lips brushed against her forehead once more.

As he stepped back, Alexander's eyes lingered on Roselyn's serene face.

In that moment, he knew his love for her was unshakeable.

Sleep's gentle claim on Roselyn remained unbroken, but Alexander's heart beat with renewed devotion.

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