"You know what? I felt it was unfair that my wife had to leave so quickly. Our time together was very short. That's why I made you her replacement." After one breath, Lucas took one step forward. "But as time went by, I no longer thought of you as the old Rachel. You were the new Rachel, a different Rachel, and I fell in love with you." A second later, he grabbed Rachel's hand. "Can't you give me a chance? Please ... stay by my side. We can be a real family. My love for you is not an act." Shaking her head, she withdrew her hand. "Sorry, Lucas. I've made up my mind. I don't want to be in your wife's shadow anymore." "No, you don't need to pretend. Just be yourself. You can change your name to whatever you want, as long as you don't change your status as my wife." "Mr. Palmer, please stop making things up," Edmund finally spoke. His expression was now cold and flat. "When did you ever marry her?" Lucas stuttered for a moment. "Shut your mouth! Don't interfere." "The one you mar
Edmund took one step forward, showing his sincerity and seriousness. He really wanted to take Alice's hand, but he held the urge back. "I once promised you that I would be a good husband for you and a good father for our children. But I haven't had the chance to fulfill that. Fate separated us. Now, because we have met again, I hope you are willing to give me the opportunity to make that happen." Alice's eyes filled with tears hearing Edmund. His words felt soothing, giving her a sense of security and trust. "Why are you still looking for me, Mr. Hills? I've been missing for years. You could have forgotten about me and looked for a new wife. But why did you come all this way to get me?" "The answer is simple, Alice. It is as simple as I love you. You may not remember, but I once swore that you were the only woman for me. Without you, I would rather be alone or dead." "Even though I'm a weak woman with a dark past? A coward who wanted to end her life twice?" Alice inquired hoarsel
"Maybe someday, we can visit here. But now, we have to go with Uncle Ed," Alice answered softly.Sky looked at Edmund with pursed lips. His heart ached seeing that. "Don't you want to come with me?" he asked carefully. "Do you ... prefer to stay here?" Alice flinched. She didn't expect Edmund to dare to ask that. Things would be complicated if Sky didn't want to move. Luckily, the little girl shook her head. "If you were my Papa, of course Mama and I would have to live with you. We're family. It's just ...." She glanced at Gigi and Gusi behind. Then, she shifted her gaze towards Canis near the stairs, and Felis on the veranda. "Are my animal friends coming along?" Alice sighed in pity. "Sorry, Baby. They can't go with us." "Even Canis?" Alice nodded wordlessly. She didn't want Sky to get more of a picture. It could hurt her. Unfortunately, Sky's tears rolled down. Sky quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand, but her cheeks became even wetter. "It means I have to tell
"There's no problem, Sky," Edmund said. "I'm fine. Now, why don't you go to the waiting room? I have to get the medicine and finish the administration." Before Edmund could take a step, Alice took the paper in his hand. "Let me take care of it. You and Sky just sit in the waiting room." While Alice came out of the doctor's office, Edmund looked at Sky with a sad look. "Want to go to the park?" Sky's eyebrows furrowed. "Is that okay? Mama asked us to sit in the waiting room. What if she is confused about looking for us later?" Edmund shook his head weakly. "She can see us from the waiting room. The park is nearby." He reached out his hand. "Want to go with me?" Sky nodded. Holding Edmund's index finger, she left the room. At the park, they sat on a long bench under a mango tree. Edmund looked up, looking at the fruit. He thought Sky was doing the same thing, remembering their fun in the forest. But apparently, the little girl was just looking at the photos. "Do you miss them?"
On the way to a hotel, Alice smiled seeing how Edmund stroked Sky's face. The little girl was sleeping on his lap with her mouth opened. "What did you say to her in the park? When I came back, she had been cheerful again. Even when we were shopping and eating, her spirits were bursting. No wonder she became so tired," Alice whispered, making Edmund glance over. "Nothing special. Just a few words of reassurance and promise. I owe Sky a lot," Edmund answered softly. Alice snorted a laugh. "Don't promise something you can't keep, Mr. Hills. If you fail, the consequences could be fatal. Sky will go into a rage and you won't be able to stand her." "I know that. I think she can keep talking for 24 hours. I won't be able to work if that happens."Her laughter tickled Edmund's heart even more. When it subsided, he continued, "But to make that happen, I need your help. Do you mind?" Alice furrowed her brows, curious. "What did you promise?" "I promised to show her lots of new things, tak
Alice fell silent. She blinked, digesting each of Edmund's words. "Do you compare us to an elderly couple?" she concluded.Edmund's laughter almost echoed. Of all the messages he conveyed, why did Alice draw it as conclusion? "Isn't our situation similar to theirs? We are husband and wife but we can't do it?" While Alice was stunned, Edmund opened the suitcase and took out several pieces of clothing. "Now if you'll excuse me. I have to take a shower, My Wife." After Edmund left, Alice sighed in disbelief. "I'm the same as grandmothers in their 80s?" Looking down, Alice studied her body. Just like Edmund, she had also buried her desires for five years. "Can I still do it? What if my body has forgotten how it works?" While her brain was wondering, her gaze fell on Sky. She really couldn't remember how they made her. "Was he on top or bottom?" Before Edmund's body fully formed in her mind, Alice quickly patted her forehead. "Gosh, what was I thinking? Come to your senses, Rache
"You're just being pushed by the situation, Alice. Therefore, from this moment on, I hope you will be more careful. Don't be careless, especially since some parties are trying to separate us. Understand?" Edmund really wanted to cup that smooth cheeks, but he worried about crossing the line. He could only let his hands hang. "Okay, I understand. I won't be reckless again. Thank you for reminding me." Alice smiled slightly. Edmund liked seeing that. "Good. Now take a quick shower. You should rest too. Our flight is early tomorrow." Alice nodded. With a warm feeling, she walked in. Meanwhile, Edmund smiled faintly. His heart was relieved to see her progress. "Good. Keep opening yourself to me, Alice. That way, we can get back to being as intimate as before." *** After bathing, Alice stared wide-eyed at Sky. The little girl had turned 90 degrees. She was now lying crosswise in the middle of the bed. Her arms and legs were still spread out as if not allowing anyone to lie beside he
Sky had been on a plane several times, but she was still enthusiastic. Since the plane took off, she didn't look away from the window."Mama, look! There are several new buildings over there." "Mama, look! The sunlight is so beautiful." "Mama, look! That cloud looks like a duck." While Sky kept to comment on everything she saw, Edmund watched in silence. He couldn't reply because Alice was sitting between them. According to the plan, he had to avoid contact with his wife until he found a way to restore his pride. Alice noticed his silence. She glanced occasionally, checking. Edmund was keeping himself busy with the tables on his tablet. His expression was still gloomy. An hour passed, Sky finally got bored. She started drawing in her new book. At that moment, Alice whispered for a piece of paper and borrowed a pencil. "Are you okay?" Alice wrote it down on paper. Then, without making a sound, she put the message on the tablet. Edmund flinched when he saw Alice's hand in front