Shawn had already wrapped his arms around her waist and lowered his head to find her lips. "The kids are watching..." she reminded him softly."They'll close their eyes," he replied.With that, Shawn's lips met hers, drowning out her words. Nearby, Joshua covered Nicole's eyes. "No peeking!" he warned. Nicole also covered Joshua's eyes from behind. "No peeking for you either!" The siblings covered each other's eyes tightly.They were silent. At first, Joshua and Nicole stood still, not moving a muscle. As time passed, both of them became restless.Why had it not ended yet? How much longer will it take? Did Mommy and Daddy remember them? Since they were the ones who planned it, they could not rush them.Joshua and Nicole could not stand still anymore, and their hands could not cover their eyes anymore. Joshua leaned over and whispered in Nicole's ear, "I'll count to three, and we'll both put our hands down together, okay?""Okay."The siblings made a pact."Alright, three, t
Joshua was just like Shawn. "Wow, Joshua, what a rare opportunity! Whatever you want, just say it, and it's yours!" Nicole exclaimed.Gale also looked at Joshua.She was curious, what would he ask for? After all, he already had his star. Joshua's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Daddy, will you grant any wish I make?"Seeing his sly smile, Shawn felt something was off."Yeah, I can grant whatever you want, but don't think about anything unreasonable," he replied."How unreasonable can I be? You're my daddy, and I'm counting on inheriting your business. I can't afford to offend you!"Shawn sighed.With Joshua's ambition, Wood Group would be in good hands.Joshua patted his shoulder. "I want to sit on your shoulders, to feel what it's like to be lifted high!"Shawn and Gale were both taken aback.After all this time, was that truly his wish?"Are you sure? Is that really your wish?" Shawn asked, raising an eyebrow.He had generously offered Joshua a wish, expecting something m
Shawn raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so stubborn?""I just am. Come on, let me down!" Joshua stared at him.Shawn felt as a father, he should be more generous, more accommodating, and not be so petty with his son.So he said, "This wish will be kept for later. You can bring it up again in the future. I can put you on my shoulders."Joshua remained stubborn. "No, I want to use the wish."Even Gale was puzzled. "Joshua, what are you up to?""I'm not up to anything.""Isn't it better to save the wish? In case you want something else later, you can ask your dad to help you," Gale asked softly. Joshua pouted, looking awkward. After hesitating for several seconds, he muttered, "I feel like I already have a lot now. I'm content. I've got everything I want, so I don't really have any wishes. But if I had to say one..."Joshua looked up at Gale. "Mommy, I wish for you to be happy every day, forever. Don't be sad, don't get angry, don't feel down. Let all the beauty in the world surro
Gale opened her mouth but could not speak; tears streamed down her cheeks. "Don't cry, Mommy. You told me that a girl's tears can't be shed easily because they are precious." Nicole gently wiped her tears."We are all here with you, trying to cheer you up. Don't be angry or sad, okay? I want to see you and Daddy being affectionate and even give us one more brother or sister!""Joshua and I both want a younger sibling, so I can be a big sister too!" Gale hugged Nicole tightly, burying her face in her little shoulder, silently crying. Her sadness, and her vulnerability, were all laid bare in this moment. They were her most beloved, and she was theirs. She had to pull herself together and had to be happy again. That way, Joshua and Nicole would not worry about her.Gale could not help but imagine Nicole learning to make a veil in kindergarten, and Joshua learning to make rings. The two kids must have been thinking they had to do their best, to make their parents happy. They were so
"Wow, I'm so high up!""Daddy, you are so strong."Shawn grabbed his ankle. "Joshua, hold on tight."Joshua instantly became the tallest person in the room. He had to bend down to see Gale and Nicole, with even Shawn below him. He felt fantastic.Joshua cheered loudly, "Wow, being up here... I mean, sitting up high is great! Ha-ha-ha! So high! The air up here is so fresh!""I've sat up here before. Joshua, isn't it a different feeling? Daddy is tall and strong, totally capable of protecting us without any worries about falling off!" Nicole said."Yeah... it's not bad, just about okay," Joshua said with an indifferent tone.Gale chuckled and shook her head. "You... really take after your daddy.""Of course, otherwise, how could I be his son?" Joshua raised both hands high. "Shawn, can you walk me around the lawn?""Hold on tight.""Okay!"Joshua laughed. Gale held Nicole's hand, watching the father and son."Mom, Joshua spent a long time searching in the school lawn to find
For Shawn and the two children's sake, she had to pull herself together and be optimistic. There would be a resolution soon. What she needed to do was to trust Shawn.The weather was getting colder and winter was approaching. When leaving in the morning, Shawn draped a cashmere coat over Gale's shoulders. "Wear this, don't catch a cold.""Is it already time to wear coats?""It's windy outside."Gale stood still, letting him put the coat on her. She could not help but say, "Joshua and Nicole can dress themselves now, but here I am, needing you to help me."Shawn smirked. "I'm happy to.""Okay, but can you not do this when the kids are around? I'll be teased by them," Gale said."They want us to be more affectionate."Shawn held her hand, wrapped in his palm, and they walked out of the villa.During the day, they went to work and came home together. In the evenings, they spent time with the children, helped with homework, watched TV, and took walks. This was the perfect life.C
"Okay, ask him later. Hey, Peach, if you're no longer single, will I get a gift?" Gale grinned.Peach, who had just been happily gossiping, suddenly froze as the topic shifted to herself. "How's it going? How far have you progressed? I've seen you smiling a lot lately, giggling at your phone for no reason. Seems like things are going well, huh?"Peach lowered her head, cheeks flushed. "Gale, don't tease me.""I'm just concerned about you.""Just take it slow, go with the flow. Being able to maintain contact with Mr. Carson outside of work is already enough for me," Peach said.To her, Sam was a high born and being able to be by his side made her very happy."Relationships can't be forced. The more you rush, the more likely it'll fail. Taking it slow and letting things flow naturally is the best." Gale nodded. "You're happily chatting with Sam, right?"Peach softly replied, "Mm.""Chat away." Gale patted her shoulder. "I'm rooting for you two, just like I root for Joe and Summ
She had also landed the lead actress role in the film directed by the talented young director, Paul.Other female celebrities all were envious of Ivy, gossiping about the source of her newfound luck. How could she be noticed by Mr. Wood, be plucked out from her agency, and then even allowed to take control of her destiny?In reality, Ivy's hidden struggles were unknown to others. They only saw the glamor. During this time, Ivy stayed indoors and canceled all her commercial activities, quietly nursing her wounds alone. She only emerged today for the photoshoot.Inside the studio, Ivy stood under the spotlight, adorned with the latest high-end jewelry from the latest collection. She professionally posed for the camera."A little tilt of the head... Perfect.""Now, give us a smile.""Casually run your fingers through your hair and show off the ring on your finger."Ivy executed the directions flawlessly.Gale stood in front of the monitor, watching Ivy on screen. She was confident