Mrs. Lynch said protectively, “I heard about what happened during the wedding. Linda kept spreading rumors about our daughter. She deserves it. In my opinion, Linda is a hateful person. She might’ve offended many people. The same goes for Director Cartman. He already has one foot in the grave, but he still fools around with countless women.”“I didn’t say anything. I was just asking,” Mr. Lynch said disappointedly, “After all, we’ve lived in this place for tens of years. We had business exchanges with them, but I never knew they liked to gossip so much behind people’s backs. It’s good that we’re leaving Melbourne soon.”“That’s right. Our daughter wasn’t even gossiped about that way in Canberra.”Mrs. Lynch was utterly dissatisfied. Freya’s mood improved when she saw how her parents protected her.Two days later, she and her mom went to the mall with Dani. Mrs. Lynch bought many new clothes and food for her daughter and granddaughter.Melbourne’s atmosphere before the new year w
Ryan said, “Don’t worry. I won’t knock on your door and intrude. I’ll wait for you near your house and we’ll count down to the new year together tonight.”“I don’t need you to have a countdown with me. The reason I returned from Canberra is to celebrate the new year with my parents.”Freya was so annoyed that she wanted to lash out at someone.The other side of the phone went silent. After that, Ryan said resignedly, “I’ll look for a hotel and stay there for a night, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”He backed down all of a sudden. Freya was not used to it. “Are you going to be alone tonight?”“It’s okay. I didn’t think things through. Accompanying your parents is far more important.”“Since you know that, why don’t you go celebrate New Year’s Eve with your parents?” Freya wished to persuade him to return. She would feel guilty if she left him alone when he came to look for her from a distant place. “Go back. I’ll pay for your plane tickets.”“I’d admire you if you’re able to get ti
Ryan: [Okay. I’ll be good and wait for you.]He sent a kissing emoji afterward.Freya: [If you keep sending those, I won’t go over anymore.]Ryan quickly sent another obedient emoji.…About ten minutes later, she arrived at the hotel room door. The door opened just after she pressed on the doorbell.Warm air greeted her. Freya strangely started feeling nervous. Actually, it had only been seven or eight days since the last time she met Ryan. However, they both felt as though they had not met in a long time when they saw each other on New Year’s Eve in Melbourne.Inside the room, Ryan wore a khaki-colored sweater with the collar of a checkered shirt peeking out of the sweater’s neckline. He wore a pair of long casual pants below, which outlined his legs well. His aura was soft, just like a piece of gentle and clean gemstone. However, his eyes seemed pretty tired. They were even bloodshot.Had he been very exhausted lately?“Hi, Happy New Year’s Eve.” Ryan lowered his head and l
Freya glared at him with a blushing face. “Who’s your mother-in-law? Be careful with your words.”“I’m already being very careful.” Ryan raised his eyebrows. He smiled. “My desire to marry you was only 50 percent before, but now it’s 100 percent after tasting this food. If I don’t marry you, I won’t be able to taste such delicious food every year.”Freya knew he was half-serious and half-joking. She felt utterly powerless at that moment. “You might think that my mom’s cooking is mediocre after eating more kinds of food here. Besides, I’m very lazy. I didn’t inherit my mom’s virtuousness. I don’t know how to cook at all, and I’m usually lazy. My mom has always scolded me for that.”“Why do I need you to be virtuous and hardworking? I’m not looking for a nanny.” Ryan chuckled. “Have you seen my mom doing house chores? Before she entered the official residence, she lived a pampered life at home too.”“I can’t quibble with you.” Freya pouted. “You men always say words that are pleasa
From the moment Freya came in, she had not taken a close look at Ryan due to various reasons.She knew that he was not lying when she looked at him up close.It was impossible to say that she had no feelings at all. “I’m not the one who told you to work extra hours,” she muttered and avoided his gaze.“Yes, I did that myself because I wanted to come to visit you for New Year’s. Even if I couldn’t meet you, I had to show my determination. It’s not just empty talk. I’m really putting in the effort, and I’m sincere.”Ryan patted her dark, silky hair again and again. His gaze was unusually serious.Freya lowered her head. She did not know how to respond to that at all. She was like a tortoise hiding in her shell.After some time, she said softly, “Do you want to go to the bathroom?”Enough was enough. It was not showing signs of going down after so long. Ryan was taken aback. He suddenly laughed out loud.“Why are you laughing?” Freya glared at him as she blushed.“I don’t dar
At the end of the album, an envelope was tucked inside it. Freya knew roughly how much money was in it by just touching it. It was not a lot, but it was not a small amount either.“It’s Dani’s pocket money for the new year from me, her uncle,” Ryan explained. “This is her first New Year’s Day. This is the least I should do.”Since he put it that way, Freya could not decline. After all, Dani was indeed his niece.“Ryan, no matter what, thank you.” She turned her head and said with a serious gaze.“You’re welcome.”Ryan took a blue bracelet out from his pocket. “This is a bracelet with a lucky charm. Next year might be an unlucky year for you. Wearing this will improve your luck. It wasn’t expensive. You’re not allowed to refuse it.”He put it on her wrist after speaking.It was really not expensive. There was just a small apple made of pure gold hanging in the middle of the bracelet. The style was plain, but it was thoughtful. Freya remembered her mom mentioning that it would
It was as if Freya’s restless heart had suddenly found a place to rely on. She locked her fingers with Ryan’s tightly. The warmth on her fingers and lips told her that it was not a dream.She had a new boyfriend two months after getting divorced.The man was her ex-husband’s cousin.In the eyes of the public, his identity was her godbrother.It was unbelievable but true.It was the most absurd thing she had done in her whole life.“What are you thinking about?” After kissing her, he caressed her lips with his beautiful ones. “I… I have to go home,” Freya said as she turned her heated face away.Their relationship had changed. She had not found the right way to interact with him yet.“Mm. Go.”Ryan did not ask Freya to stay. “You have a child at home. It’s indeed inconvenient for you to be outside for too long.”He saw her off to the parking lot.Freya got in her car hastily. She felt as if she had just escaped from a wolf’s den.Had she really agreed to date Ryan?Uhhh
“You can rest with ease. I’ll contact a car repair center here in Melbourne. They’ll go to your place to collect the car and send it back after the repair is done. You don’t have to handle this matter anymore,” Ryan said.“There’s no need for that. My driver can repair it.”“That won’t do. My girlfriend drove out late at night because of me. I have to do a great job as I’ve just assumed the position of your boyfriend. What if you demote me because I didn’t perform well?” Ryan said jokingly. “I’m trembling in fear now.”He kept mentioning the words ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend’.Freya had to accept that she had truly agreed to date him. This year was filled with the most ups and downs in her entire life. This year, she got married, gave birth, got divorced, and found another boyfriend.It was like a life told in legends. She was utterly in awe of herself.When it was almost midnight, Catherine sent a Whatsapp message in their group chat: [Happy New Year! I hope my two friends i