Felix chuckled and found the light switch, flicking it on. "How could you be so clumsy?" he teased but then asked more gently, "Is your foot okay?""It's fine. This is my first time witnessing and participating in a proposal ceremony. It's such a joyous occasion that I'm too happy to care about a little pain. Besides, it didn't really hurt me, so no worries," Hannah replied cheerfully.Everyone burst out laughing at that."Lulu, today is the happiest day I've had in seven years. You're now part of our family, and Colin has finally found the woman he loves. It's simply wonderful," Aunt Mel said, wiping her eyes until the skin around them turned red.She continued, "I did a lot of terrible things back then, and you and Colin suffered because of that. I wish I could make up for it with my life. For the past two years, I've lived in fear, worried that my actions would keep you two apart. If that had happened, I'd never be able to forgive myself."Aunt Mel raised her head and looked at
The proposal was a great success. After some playful banter, everyone gradually dispersed.Hannah naturally followed Felix back to the Whites' family home—not the one across the street but the old family house.Aunt Mel had declared that the house across the street was reserved for us as they didn't want to intrude.It was nearly midnight when we finished tidying up the living room. Fireworks continued to explode outside, heralding the arrival of Mardi Gras.My dad, barely able to keep his eyes open, stubbornly sat on the couch. He kept glaring at Colin, which amused me to no end.Annoyed by his action, my mom grabbed him by the ear and dragged him to their room. Even as he struggled, he mumbled about wanting Colin to go back to the house across the street."They're practically married now. Why do you care so much? You're such a busybody. If you don't get to bed by the count of five, you'll be sleeping on the couch forever," Mom threatened.With his keen senses, my dad quickly g
Seeing me lying there in my birthday suit, Colin's gaze deepened like the depths of a fathomless lake."I'm a little cold," I said, reaching for the blanket to cover myself.Colin swiftly pressed himself against me, his kisses raining down on me like a storm battering a sailboat lost at sea. We spent the night wrapped in each other's arms, and only at daybreak did we find rest.I was awakened by the sound of fireworks on the day of Mardi Gras. Colin was already up, bustling around the house shirtless and preparing something in the kitchen that filled the air with a delightful aroma.My body ached from the night's exertions. I felt too lazy to get up, so I rolled around in bed.As I opened my phone, a flurry of notification chimes filled the air, all from friends and classmates sending their Mardi Gras greetings.It was then I realized that the day before was not only the day Colin proposed but also the eve of Mardi Gras. We were so caught up in our emotions that we forgot to cele
"What's wrong with you? You need to lighten up, got it? If you keep this up, the three of us will head over to the house across the street and leave you here to sulk alone," my mom scolded.Thanks to her intervention, my dad finally managed a slight smile at the dinner table. The meal proceeded without any further incident.Just as we finished eating, Uncle Austin and Aunt Mel arrived, accompanied by Hannah and Felix. They carried a variety of packages.The elders chatted while the four of us youngsters sat and listened.Aunt Mel announced, "Harper, yesterday was Colin's day, and we were overjoyed by his successful proposal. So, today, Austin and I are here to formalize this union by presenting the betrothal gifts. Let's set aside all past grievances and start anew."Colin is incredibly lucky to marry such a wonderful woman like Lulu, and from now on, we'll treat her as our own daughter. These gifts may not be many or expensive, but they come from the heart."Everyone's gaze turn
That evening, I returned home in a sour mood. Colin noticed immediately and asked what was wrong. I recounted Nico's refusal to co-author the paper. Colin seemed unsurprised, reminding me that Nico was simply that type of person, and there was no need to insist."But how can that be okay? The lab's success is largely due to Nico's efforts. It's not right for him to lay the foundation only for me to take the credit. If he refuses to co-author the report, I simply won't publish it," I said, pouting in frustration.Colin couldn't help but laugh at our predicament. He likened us to two overly studious individuals with a curious affliction—one stubbornly refusing to co-author the report, the other relentlessly insisting upon it. Any other person would have taken the opportunity to claim all the credit, but we were pushing it away.In truth, it wasn't about pushing credit away but rather about fairness. We had agreed from the start that any success would be shared between us. I was unwa
Mr. Arden was the factory manager. He was a thin middle-aged man with a face marked by years of hardship. He sighed with worry after just a few words, making all of us feel uncomfortable.However, the collaboration was a serious matter. We couldn't get on board just because we sympathized with them. What they needed was not sympathy but a chance to start over.After inspecting the factory, we held meetings, twice in fact. In my spare time, I chatted with the workers living at the factory, trying to gather as much information as possible.It was still unknown if we would cooperate in the future, but the workers' unity moved me deeply.A company that had taken a downturn due to a single mistake could start anew if everyone worked together at the critical moment.None of the workers spoke ill of the factory. Instead, they were concerned about reviving it. One of the older leaders even said he was willing to do everything he could to bring the factory back to life.I didn't understan
The Taylor Group was primarily an architecture company. Joining them would only limit our growth and potentially waste our skills.Ivan expressed regret at our decision and left his business card, assuring us that there would always be a place for us in the company if we ever changed our minds.A week before my viva, the college held a special commendation ceremony for individuals who made significant contributions over the past decade.Colin and I were among those honored. That day was one of the highlights of my life. As I walked onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and spoke to the thousands of lecturers and students below, their thunderous applause made me feel elated.The speech lasted about five minutes. Just as I was about to step down, I saw Colin approached with a bouquet of bright red roses. His eyebrows were relaxed, and his sparkling eyes were smiling, making the mole at the corner of his eye stand out vividly.The lights dimmed, leaving only a few spotlights that
Jasmine's eyes were so fixed on Colin that she didn't even blink."Why are you so nervous, Luna? Are you afraid?" Jasmine stopped before us. She gently patted the baby in her arms and asked me mockingly."You must be joking, Jasmine. You weren't afraid even after breaking the law. Why would an upstanding citizen like me be afraid?" I gave her a mocking smile, but my eyes were glued to the baby in her arms.It was not a particularly warm season, but she was holding a baby in front of so many people. She was clearly waiting for Colin and me. What was she trying to do?Recalling the things she had done before, I couldn't help but feel a chill in my body.She was a maniac, capable of anything. After her previous schemes had failed, she hadn't come to trouble us again and chose to disappear. That, in itself, was a huge problem."I hope so," Jasmine said."I wonder why you're blocking our way. We're all sensible people, so it's best to speak frankly."Jasmine nodded with a smile. "Lu