Larissa was stunned, but she also felt guilty. She and Wendy had been best friends for a long time, but Larissa had never seriously paid much attention to Wendy's love life. No doubt, she had no idea that Wendy had planned such a future for herself. "Back then, I gave up my high-paying job and went overseas to study without turning back because I wanted to escape the pressure of my parents rushing me to marry every year." Wendy gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, "They can argue about anything, but studies are the only thing they can agree on." Wendy was a Covenford local and studied at a local university, but she never went home on weekends. During summer break every year, she would be the last person to leave the dormitory and the first person to return.Larissa had asked her out of curiosity before and found out that Wendy's parents had divorced when she was in high school. Each of them had formed a new family and had new children of their own. Larissa guessed that Wendy's de
Larissa smiled in her sleep. After deciding to keep the child, she would have to deal with the difficulties that came with pregnancy. Lucky for her, the child was well-behaved and didn't bring her much trouble. Aside from experiencing an increased appetite and constant drowsiness, Larissa didn't feel much different than usual. It was just that it became more cumbersome for her to move about as her belly grew bigger with each passing day. In the middle of July, Larissa received an email from a lecturer at Wendy's university informing her that she had been accepted into a master's course. At the end of August, she officially went to university. When the lecturer saw her pregnant belly, he didn't display any signs of shock or surprise; instead, he treated it like something he saw every day. He even advised her to take care of her health and not to overexert herself.Life as a postgraduate student was undoubtedly busy, but it wasn't too hectic. Of course, this was because the lecturers
Five years later, in Bartham, Caldor. A black Mercedes was speeding along the highway from the airport to the city center, and in its spacious backseat sat a woman accompanied by a young boy who was approximately four or five years old.The woman sported a pixie cut and was dressed in a Chanel suit. Her impeccable makeup and attire exuded an aura of elegance and professionalism. There was a laptop on her lap. Even while traveling at high speed, she seemed engrossed in her unfinished work. The young boy next to her was dressed in a preppy style. He wore a white shirt, a red bow tie, plaid shorts with suspenders, and a pair of shiny black shoes. The little boy was every inch a young gentleman. With his nose pressed against the car window, his eyes were wide open as he stared without blinking at the passing scenery."Mommy, is this your hometown?" the boy curiously inquired. His voice was as clear as the jingle of silver bells. Larissa tore her eyes away from the complex repor
As someone had lived in the apartment before Larissa, it came fully furnished, although the furnishings were slightly dated. Larissa didn't mind. With her busy schedule, she would only return home to sleep. Everything else was of no use. She made the beds in the two bedrooms and hung up their clothes in the closet one by one. Aster ran around happily and helped Larissa out by handing the clothes to her. After she finished unpacking, the takeout she ordered arrived. Larissa set her laptop on the table and made a video call to Wendy, who was on the other side of the world. After a moment, Wendy's face appeared on the computer screen. Aster greeted her cheerfully, "Godma!" Tears welled up in Wendy's eyes as soon as she saw him. "Aster, my dear! I missed you so much too!" "Don't cry, Godma!" Aster turned to Larissa helplessly, slightly panicked at Wendy's tears. Larissa threatened her nonchalantly, "If you're going to cry, I'll hang up immediately!" Through her tears, W
Larissa spent a long time coaxing Aster before he finally calmed down. After he had eaten and taken a shower, Aster put himself to bed. He was mature for his age because Larissa and Wendy often traveled for work. He had to learn to manage himself since preschool. Massaging her throbbing temples, Larissa collapsed on the sofa and made another video call to Wendy again. Seeing as Larissa was alone, Wendy asked, "Is Aster asleep?""Yes." Larissa sighed. "He refused to leave without me.""Give him some time. He'll come to terms with reality in a couple of days." Wendy had spent more time taking care of Aster; thus, she understood his personality better than Larissa. "I hope so," Larissa pursed her lips. "When do you start work?" Wendy continued. "Tomorrow." Larissa had just sent an email to Winston Hotel's senior management, informing them of a meeting in the conference room at 9 am sharp. "So soon?" Wendy was somewhat surprised. Looking disapproving, she chided Larissa
Larissa had the exact same thought. She assumed Dylan had returned to Covenford. "I'm in Bartham for a business trip, so I will be leaving in a few days," Larissa said with a polite smile as she discreetly pulled her hand out of his grasp. The hope that ignited a flame in Dylan's eyes faded quickly. "I see …"Trailing off, he shifted his gaze onto Aster, who was sitting in the shopping cart. Although he was still little and not yet fully grown, his facial features strongly resembled Larissa's. A sudden thought popped into Dylan's head. His eyes widened, and Dylan pointed at Aster incredulously. "Is he your son?"Larissa made up a lie unflinchingly. "He's the son of my best friend and also my godson. His mom is on a month-long business trip and entrusted him into my care. However, I suddenly received an order to go on a business trip as well on short notice; that's why I had to bring him along." Dylan had his doubts about her explanation. It was impossible for her best fri
Startled, Larissa almost dropped the shopping bag she was holding. "Why are you following us?" she demanded, her eyes wide. Larissa raised her voice intentionally to mask the guilt she felt with anger. "Huh?" In response to her question, Dylan expressed an appropriate amount of astonishment. Aggrieved, he explained himself, "I'm not following you. I have a friend who lives in this apartment complex, and I'm going to his place for dinner." Larissa exposed his lie with a straight face. "Aren't you cooking steak for dinner tonight?" Dylan shrugged and pulled out his hands from his pockets. Showing her his empty palms, he continued, "Can't you see that I haven't bought anything? There's nothing to eat at home, so I have to have dinner at my friend's place."Larissa certainly didn't believe him.She turned around with Aster in tow and tried to leave. "I just remembered that I forgot to buy something.""Perfect timing," Dylan grinned. "I'll go buy the ingredients I need for di
Their enthusiastic greetings startled Larissa, causing her to develop a splitting headache. Aster clung to Larissa's clothes, shrinking back into the car behind her. With a polite smile, Larissa nodded to them in acknowledgment."Hello, everyone." Maintaining her aloof demeanor, she helped Aster out of the car and entered the hotel amidst the onlookers' curious gazes. "Do we have a play area for children in the hotel?" she asked the assistant manager beside her."Yes, we do." He nodded and turned to Aster. "Shall I have someone escort the young man to the children's play area?"Larissa didn't hesitate. "Yes, please."The assistant manager called over a lobby attendant. "Take the general manager's son to the children's play area and take good care of him. Make sure he doesn't get hurt, understand?" The attendant replied nervously, "Yes, I understand."Larissa handed Aster over to the attendant and squatted down to his level. "Have a good time playing in the children's pla