As Cassie left, Aiden put down the newspaper and headed to the dining room. He ignored the breakfast Cassie had brought and did not touch it at all. After he finished his meal, he left for the office. His morning was packed with several meetings, including international ones, and a pile of documents awaited his review. He remained busy until the afternoon. Eventually, he managed to take a short break. While Aiden sat at his desk, his complexion was pale, and he was visibly exhausted. Noticing his weariness, Nolan expressed his concern, “Are you alright?” “I’m fine,” Aiden replied as he massaged his throbbing temples. The intense mental exertion had left him feeling sluggish. “What else needs to be done today?” Aiden asked. “Most of the work is done. Oh, there’s one thing to report. Westview Hot Springs Resort has been completed, and it’s ready to start operating. It will offer free experiences at first. As the owner, this could be a great opportunity for you to relax. Y
The children were thrilled about going to the hot springs with Aiden. They counted down the days with great anticipation. Amy often found it amusing to see them eagerly marking off the days on the calendar. Finally, the weekend arrived, and the children woke up early. “Mommy, wake up! Today’s the day! We promised Mr. Lewis that we’d go to the hot springs,” they exclaimed excitedly as they ran into Amy’s bedroom. Seeing that it was only 6 a.m., Amy sighed but got up anyway. After breakfast, the doorbell rang. “It must be Mr. Lewis. I’ll get the door,” Star said excitedly. “I’ll go too,” Night added. Then, both of them rushed to the door. Aiden was standing outside in a casual suit that toned down his usual stern demeanor. Instead, it gave him a more refined appearance. “Good morning, Mr. Lewis! You look so handsome today!” Star exclaimed as her eyes shone. “You do look very handsome,” Night agreed with a serious nod. Pleased with their compliments, Aiden felt even
The restaurant in the resort had prepared a meticulously crafted meal, with ingredients flown in that very morning. The chef’s cooking skills resulted in dishes that were a feast for the senses. The children ate until their little bellies were full, but their eagerness to explore could not be contained. Nolan was right—there was indeed a beautiful maple forest behind the resort. With autumn approaching, the leaves were beginning to turn red, and this created a picturesque scene. The rustling leaves in the gentle breeze also made for a serene atmosphere. The children were enthralled as they ran around and marveled at its beauty. “Wow! Look at this leaf, Night. It’s so pretty and red,” Star exclaimed while she waved a red maple leaf she had picked up. Not far away, Amy smiled as she watched them play. It had been a long time since she had such a peaceful outing. Ever since the Green family kicked her out, she had been constantly struggling to make a living. Standing under a t
Aiden was a little taken aback by Amy’s sudden action. He looked at her in confusion and asked, “What’s wrong?” “Luckily, it’s nothing serious,” Amy said as she released his hand and sighed in relief. “I checked your pulse because I noticed that you didn’t look well. You’re just a bit tired. I think we’ve seen enough for today. Why don’t we head back and rest? I can give you a massage to help you relax.” Aiden felt a strange and warm sensation in his chest. He never expected Amy to be so attentive to his well-being. “I’m fine, really. We can keep exploring,” he insisted. He did not want to spoil the children’s fun. Amy saw through his intentions and deliberately wore a stern expression. “No more talking back. I’m telling you that you need to rest, so you’re resting.” Watching from the side, Nolan could not help but be amazed. Amy might be the only person who could say such a thing to Aiden and actually get away with it. Aiden chuckled and conceded. With that, he followe
After dinner, the group decided not to head to the hot springs immediately. They needed time for their food to digest. Given Aiden’s condition, Amy and the children stayed in his room to pass the time. “Mr. Lewis, can you watch a movie with us?” the children asked with pleading eyes. After Aiden agreed to it, Nolan found a suitable movie for them. Amy sat beside Aiden, and they all watched the film together. Once the movie ended, they prepared to go to the hot springs. Aiden took Night with him, while Amy went with Star to the opposite side. The hot spring pools were separated by a wooden wall, which allowed for some privacy but still facilitated conversation. It was a thoughtful design by the hotel. With her hair wrapped up, Amy slowly helped Star into the warm water. “Mommy, this water feels so nice,” Star said. Her eyes seemed to be filled with wonder as she looked around. Amy guided her toward a part of the pool with an artificial rock formation and smiled. “Does it
Hearing Star’s concerned cries, Aiden once again called out to them from the other side, “What happened?” “It’s nothing,” Amy tried to dismiss it, as she did not want to worry him. However, as she attempted to move, the sharp pain in her ankle made her gasp and nearly caused her to lose her balance. Star quickly steadied her and said, “Mommy, you can’t walk anymore. Your ankle will get worse.” In pain and feeling embarrassed, Amy tried to reassure Star. But before she could speak, Star called out to Aiden, “Mr. Lewis, can you help my mommy? Her ankle is swollen, and she can’t walk.” Almost immediately, Aiden responded, “I’m coming.” Hearing the sounds of movement, Amy panicked. She was only wrapped in a towel, so she quickly looked around. She spotted another towel on a nearby rack and hurriedly wrapped it around herself for extra coverage. Just as she did that, Aiden, who was dressed in a bathrobe, arrived with Night. They both looked equally concerned. As they walked in
As Aiden massaged her, his gaze intensified. However, Amy did not notice it. At this moment, all her attention was on her ankle because it hurt so much. She gripped her towel tightly but could not help letting out a muffled groan. “Urgh. It hurts…” “Hang in there. It’ll be better soon,” Aiden reassured her in a hoarse voice. Amy’s cheeks turned red, as she felt embarrassed by the sound she had made. She nodded and bit her lip to stay silent. Seeing Amy in pain, Night and Star each took one of her hands. “Don’t be afraid, Mommy. We’re here with you.” “Just hold on, Mommy. It’ll pass soon.” Their comforting words touched Amy, and the pain in her ankle became more bearable. After about five minutes, Aiden stopped massaging her ankle. “That should make it better,” he said before gently placing her foot on the couch. Amy was sweating a little after enduring all that pain. Feeling the cool sensation on her leg, she looked at him gratefully. “Thank you, Mr. Lewis.” “
Night and Star had been very well-behaved from a young age. Perhaps they seemed so mature for their age because they did not have a father. They only started acting like typical children when Aiden was around. At that thought, Amy suddenly paused. She realized that this might not be good. Her children clearly treated Aiden differently, and if things continued, they might start to misunderstand his role in their lives. She frowned slightly and wondered if she should keep more of a distance from Aiden after they returned. While she was considering this, she saw Night approaching Aiden. “Mr. Lewis, I have something to tell you.” “What is it?” Aiden looked at him curiously. Even Amy turned her attention to them. Unexpectedly, Night handed his phone to Aiden. “Your company developed this game, right? I noticed that it lags slightly at a certain part, which affects the gaming experience. When the skills aren’t released on time, the monsters are able to kill the character.”
Eddie explained, “The shoot’s primary focus is to capture the essence of the wedding gown collection through couples’ portraits, interactions with the children, and scenes depicting a wedding ceremony. “This is a big project, so we’ll start with the wedding ceremony scene. Madame Coco mentioned that you aren’t a real couple or professional models, so do you have any ideas on how to handle the interactions, or should we go with the team’s plan?” Eddie asked and looked expectantly at Amy as well as Aiden. The two of them exchanged glances, and Aiden calmly said, “I’ll follow your lead.” Feeling the weight of responsibility, Amy realized that there was no turning back. She nodded. “Let’s go with your team’s plan. You’re the experts, so you know what works best.” “Alright, then. Let me explain the first sequence for the wedding ceremony series,” Eddie began detailing the scene. After a few minutes, he finished explaining and asked, “So, can you handle that?” “Yes. I think it’
Despite Grace’s reassurances, Amy still felt uneasy about the situation. However, she did not voice her concerns. After all, she had already agreed to Madame Coco’s proposal and tried on the wedding dress. It was not her style to back out at the last minute. It was nearing lunchtime as they discussed the details. Madame Coco suggested that they all dine together, so they all went to a restaurant. Once seated, Madame Coco asked Amy to order. Amy wanted to refuse since she felt that it was more appropriate to let the others decide. However, Grace passed the task to her, and she ended up selecting a few dishes. “Aiden doesn’t like cilantro, so please omit it from the fish, and let’s keep the seasoning light on these two dishes,” Amy mentioned Aiden’s preferences naturally. Aiden and the children did not react, as they were used to it, but Grace’s eyes shone with interest. Seeing how she knew Aiden’s tastes and dislikes so well, it did not seem like they were just friends. Ma
The next morning, Grace arrived at the hotel early to pick everyone up. Madame Coco had already briefed her team at Coco, so the meeting was seamless. “Due to traffic, Madame Coco is still on her way. She asked me to help you with trying on the wedding outfits first,” the lead coordinator explained and gestured for them to follow her. Amy, Aiden, and the children nodded and followed her to Madame Coco’s studio. The studio was huge, and it occupied the entire floor. It was also equipped with top-notch facilities. However, what truly stunned Amy was the wedding gown displayed at the center of the room. The pure white dress was breathtaking under the lights. The tiny pink diamonds that shimmered on the skirt added a touch of unique elegance and made it even more valuable. Next to the gown was a black tailcoat. The contrasting black and white complemented each other perfectly. The attention to detail was remarkable. While the tailcoat was all black, it was adorned with dark p
“You and your friend have the exact looks, presence, and figures that I’ve envisioned for my models,” Madame Coco continued to enthuse. “Your interactions are so loving, and with your two angelic children, you embody my idea of a perfect family.” Amy felt overwhelmed and glanced at Aiden for help. “I’m not particularly interested, but if you want to do it, I’ll support you,” he said calmly. “I don’t really want to.” Amy shook her head. Their relationship was already complicated, and posing in wedding attire seemed even more awkward. The children, however, were excited. They saw this as a perfect opportunity to bring Amy and Aiden closer. Sharing a glance, they silently agreed on their plan. “Mommy, I want to do it.” Star clung to Amy’s arm as she pleaded sweetly. Night joined in and looked up with wide, hopeful eyes. “You know, Mommy, we’ve never taken formal photos together,” he added softly. Amy fell silent, and a wave of guilt washed over her. It was true that she had no
Aiden fell silent for a second and spoke evasively, “You’ll find out in time.” This meant that he did not want to discuss it at the moment. Grace was exasperated but amused. She already had an idea of what was going on. “Fine. If you won’t tell me, I’ll just have fun with my niece and nephew.” With that, she quickly caught up with the rest and chatted happily with them. Aiden felt regretful as he watched them. He wondered if he might have spoiled things by bringing Amy and the children to his meeting with Grace. Unaware of Aiden’s thoughts, Grace took great care of Amy and the children during mealtime. Her enthusiasm overwhelmed Amy a bit, but she did not think much of it. Grace had been friendly since the moment they met. As they chatted, the conversation naturally turned to their following plans. “Where are you planning to go this afternoon?” Grace asked Amy. Amy instinctively glanced at Aiden. Seeing this, Grace raised an eyebrow in curiosity and looked over at him as we
After they wandered around for a while longer, Aiden received a call from Grace. It was time to pick her up. “I’ll be there soon,” Aiden said and ended the call. He put away his phone and said to Amy, “Let’s go. Aunt Grace is ready.” However, Amy felt a bit anxious. “Should I buy her a gift?” Seeing how nervous she was, Aiden teased, “Do you know what it means for you to bring a gift?” “What does it mean?” Amy asked without thinking too deeply about it. Night and Star were speechless when they saw her naive response. They felt like there was still much to do. Unaware of their expressions, Aiden continued to playfully provoke Amy. “It means that you’re my girlfriend.” Amy choked on her own saliva. After recovering, she quickly clarified, “That’s not what I meant, Mr. Lewis. Don’t misunderstand.” “I know,” Aiden replied and nodded calmly, with mischief in his eyes. Amy understood what he was implying and felt amused as well as annoyed. But a strange feeling also spread
The Picasso Church was one of the most famous attractions in the bustling city. It was a busy place with a large flow of people and many vendors. As Aiden and Amy arrived with Night and Star, their striking looks drew attention. However, they did not mind it and began browsing through the stalls, which sold handmade accessories, souvenirs, and clothes. The children found everything fascinating, while Amy was attracted to some culturally rich items. “Mommy, look how pretty those dolls are,” Star suddenly said as she pointed at some dolls on a vendor’s table. The dolls were painted in bright colors, and they had cute expressions. They came in various sizes, and each looked more charming than the last. Amy approached the vendor and asked, “How much for one of these?” “The big ones are five hundred, and it’s a hundred for the smaller ones,” the vendor replied. There was a cunning glint in his eyes as he sized them up as foreigners. “That expensive?” Amy was startled by the pric
Amy knew better than to tell Aiden about the social media posts. So, she glanced at the children with a calm smile. “It’s nothing serious. We were just playing around.” Aiden was skeptical, but since Amy did not want to discuss it further, he refrained from pressing her. He gently patted the children on their backs and reassured them, “She’s just messing with you. Go on over to her.” Night and Star hesitated as they looked back at Amy, whose smile they found suspiciously sinister. A shiver ran down their spine, and they sensed that things might not end well for them when they got back. So, they clung to Aiden and began to wheedle him. “Mr. Lewis, I want to sit next to you.” “Um, can I sleep with you tonight?” Night and Star spoke at the same time, with Night adding the question about sleeping. He had more foresight. He knew that with Aiden around, Amy might not say much. However, she would not let them off the hook once they were back at the hotel. Realizing this, Sta
Right after Aiden shared a photo on social media, his phone started to blow up. It looked like he was making an announcement when he posted the beautiful snapshot by Night. [Wow. Are you making it official?] [Are you guys dating? She’s really beautiful.] [Aiden, when will you bring her to meet us?] Aiden glanced at the messages but chose not to respond. The children also saw the photos that Aiden had shared, including the one of him and Amy. They were overjoyed and more convinced than ever that Aiden had feelings for her. However, not everyone was happy. When Cassie saw the public photo on Aiden’s social media page, she was both shocked and angry. Was Aiden announcing their relationship? Her jealousy was uncontrollable. Aiden’s parents also saw the photo and became furious. Rose could not hold back her anger. “What is he trying to do, slap us in the face? We just released news about finding him a wife, and he’s posting photos with this woman?” Edward kept quiet, but h