"Thank you," Larissa said.Hearing this, Kevan frowned.Aster did not understand what exactly was happening between them. When he saw that Kevan did not say anything, he put his hands on his hips and scolded the man. "Daddy! You must tell Mommy 'You're welcome'!"Kevan stared at Larissa dully before he finally said, "You're welcome."Aster was happy, but Larissa felt a chill run down her spine. She finished the milk, abandoned the glass, and escaped to her bedroom."I'm going to bed! You two go to bed too!"Aster watched her go and sighed. "Mommy is so old now, why is she still so naughty?"Kevan patted Aster's head as his expression softened. "It's okay if Mommy isn't good. We just need to protect her."…Larissa was able to fall asleep because the milk helped. Still, she was so cold that she woke up at midnight.The thick blanket was still covering her. It had not been kicked off by her while she was asleep like she thought.Larissa curled up, hugging herself m. She tried
Larissa did not sleep well. Previously, she was so cold that she was shivering. Alas, now she was so hot that she kept sweating.Still, there was a somewhat cold hand that kept holding hers. It gave her strength.When she woke up, the house was still dark. She stared at the ceiling for a while before she woke up fully. As usual, she rolled over to get her phone. But a strong grip pulled her back the moment she moved.Larissa hissed before getting a good look at what it was. Only then did she notice the dark figure half-lying on the bed. Even though she could not see the person's face, she knew it was Kevan.He was sleeping with one arm pillowing his head. He was sitting on the floor in a twisted position so that he could stretch out his legs.Her heart aching for him, Larissa pushed him using their joined hands. "Wake up!"Kevan did not sleep very deeply. He woke up the moment she called him. "You're awake?" He sat up. His voice was hoarse from sleep. Without waiting for Larissa
Kevan wished that he did not need to take his hand out of hers. When his hand was empty again, it felt like he left half of his heart behind too.Larissa did not stop him this time. She could go without breakfast, but Aster could not.While Kevan was making breakfast in the kitchen, Larissa got out of bed and went through her morning routine. After that, she grabbed her work things and went to Wendy's room.Having been distracted by the father and son last night, Larissa had forgotten that she wanted to focus on her work. Although she was still uncomfortable because of the cold, her fever was gone. But she could not fall asleep again even if she wanted to.It was better to finish the slideshow instead.It did not take long for someone to knock on the door. Larissa closed her laptop and stuffed it under the blanket with her documents."Who is it?" she asked."Me." Kevan pushed open the door. There was a tray in his hands. "I made chicken soup." He placed the tray on the bedside t
Kevan stared at her. He did not say anything, but his emotions were overflowing from his eyes."I know it hasn't been a week yet. But—" He licked his lips out of nervousness and held her hands instead. His voice was hoarse as he asked, "Do you have an answer already?"Larissa froze at once. She did not think that he would mention this. She had been counting the days. There were still three days left before the week was up. Larissa was not someone who dragged out decisions, but this specific decision was hard for her.She wanted to wait. But … Kevan could not seem to wait any longer."I …" She lowered her head. She did not know what to say.Kevan's bright eyes dulled at once. He did not plan to rush her. He knew that she still held things against him, and knew that this would not disappear so quickly.He was willing to give her time to process everything. But he could feel that she did care about him through her attitude today. And the reason that she cared about him—The more he
Larissa sneakily went to the door. She pressed herself against the door to listen to what was happening outside.The living room seemed to be empty.Larissa rejoiced. She planned to get her laptop and documents back in secret without Kevan noticing.Alas, the moment she opened the room door, she heard the sound of the next door opening too."Mommy!" Aster shouted, "You're awake!"Larissa's heart skipped a beat. Her expression showed some annoyance at the untimeliness of her son's appearance.Kevan followed behind Aster. He looked at her, his eyes stopping at a specific place before they quickly moved away. His expression became somewhat unnatural too.Larissa was confused as she touched her face. Still, before she could figure out what was wrong, Aster shouted out the problem. "Mommy! Why is your mouth swollen?!"Larissa froze.Aster was young. He screamed, "Did you trip on your mouth? Did a mosquito bite you? Are there even mosquitoes in winter?"Larissa covered her mouth an
Larissa hated taking pictures. This weird quirk was because of a very unhappy experience from her childhood.The Seymours were a typical rich family. When the first compact camera was just invented, Lana owned one when she was still in elementary school.Children were always curious about new things. As a result, whenever Lana ran around the Seymour Mansion taking pictures with her camera, Larissa would sometimes secretly watch Lana from her bedroom door.The camera film only had twenty snaps per film roll. The Seymours did not have a special darkroom, and it was rare for the photo studios on the streets to have one too.So, Lana always took several photos on several film rolls, and a driver would take them all to a photo studio several miles away to get them developed. After that, the photos would be brought home.Lana was young. The camera was more like a toy to her. She took very random photos, so there were too many films that were either too bright or too blurry. The photos c
Hearing the noise, Kevan threw down the spatula and ran out of the kitchen."What's wrong?" He was still wearing the apron with flowers printed on it. Larissa was already used to the comical sight of him wearing that apron."I'm. Fine." Larissa coughed out the two words with difficulty. She coughed so hard that she bent over with a hand on her chest.Kevan quickly poured a glass of warm water and pushed it into her hand.Larissa moved to the balcony. She pulled off her mask to drink the water.Having managed to calm down, Larissa glared sharply at the two guys who were watching her a far distance away. She said, "You two stay away from me!"Seeing that Kevan was going to walk over to where she was, she pointed a finger at him and shouted, "Especially you! Don't you dare come close!"Kevan frowned and stared at her in confusion. He did not understand why within a few short hours, she went from willingly hugging him to sleep to hating him so much she had to avoid him.Larissa's f
Kevan did not avoid Larissa's attacks. He just stood there and used his chest to bear it all.Larissa was really angry. She used a great deal of her strength to throw the pillow, but she did not expect that Kevan would just stand there and let her beat him.So, when she saw him sway dangerously, her guilt swallowed the rage from before, and words of concern escaped her mouth. "Are you okay?"The pillow fell off Kevan's body. He gripped his chest with pain, and there was a painful expression on his face.Larissa panicked even more. She threw the blanket off and got closer to him."Does it hurt?" she asked anxiously as she sat on her legs in front of him. She did not know what to do all of a sudden.Kevan did not say a single word as he gritted his teeth. He seemed to be in the greatest pain possible."Sorry …" Larissa's forehead began to sweat from her panic. She reached out to rub his chest but realized halfway through that this was not suitable.But she had not even pulled her
Wendy said, "You have to walk faster than this, Larissa! It's almost time! Your husband can't wait!""Alright!" Larissa quickly gathered up her skirts and followed her.The sun was out.Its golden rays shone softly on the red carpet through the rose petals.Larissa suppressed her desire to stay here for a little while longer and quickly walked toward the end.It was the door to the glass hall.Gary held Aster's hand and his cane in the other, waiting for her at the entrance.When he saw her, Aster immediately let go of Gary's hand and rushed toward her. "You're so pretty today, Mommy!"Larissa patted his head and smiled gently. "Thank you."Aster was her flower boy. Like Gary, he was wearing a tuxedo with a little bowtie.He was holding a basket that was proportionate to his body. In it were rose petals of various colors and shapes.The music suddenly began playing.Gary walked up to her and extended his arm toward her. "Let's go."He looked at her with a smile, his eyes g
Gary and Lewis left Bartham after two days.Blue Star did not give them time off. They couldn't stay for long.Larissa's holidays were coming to an end as well. Half of the time, she was in the Rogers' villa.Because of the pandemic, most of the shops weren't open yet. She slept and ate at home most of the time and accompanied her family. It was quite nice.After the holidays, Kevan and Larissa went back to work.Aster was sent to the kindergarten that he'd been to before. Violet was the one who drove him to and fro.In fact, in order to better take care of him, the parents moved out of Rogers' villa and bought a house in Kevan and Larissa's neighborhood.The days passed in the blink of an eye.Blue Star's company in Bartham was quickly built. Lewis sent over a few loyal and trained employees to hold the fort with Larissa and hired people according to the company's needs. The company was soon on the right track, and the headquarters' work was moved over.Larissa grew busier an
Violet had set aside Larissa's breakfast for her.Larissa ate with reddened cheeks. Kevan and Aster, who had been waiting for her, got up at the same time. Violet brought out a boxful of pie from the kitchen."Don't forget this." She put the box in Kevan's hands."Alright. Thanks, Mom." Kevan looked at Larissa and asked, "Can we go now?"Larissa wanted to ignore him, but in front of Violet, she couldn't express her emotions right now."Yes," she replied, pulling Aster toward her. She said goodbye to Violet and strode out the door.Kevan smiled in slight annoyance and followed suit.…Kevan had told Aster beforehand that they were going to see Great-Grandpa. Thus, all of Aster's questions on the way there revolved around him."Why is great-grandpa called 'Great-Grandpa'?""Is he Grandpa's dad?""Is Great-Grandpa fierce?""If he's dead, how is he going to eat the pie?"…Kevan patiently answered all of his questions.Meanwhile, Larissa looked out the window silently.Keva
Since Larissa had gone downstairs alone, it was natural to expect a few questions."Where's Kevan? Why isn't he coming down with you?""Where's Daddy? He said he would launch fireworks with me."Larissa walked over calmly and made up an excuse. "He's tired, so he showered and slept."The older people did not doubt her. Only Lewis stared at her thoughtfully."Oh … Why did Daddy sleep so early?" Aster pouted in disappointment."You can get him to launch fireworks with you tomorrow. It'll be the same." Larissa patted his head, keeping a calm expression on her face.Anthony and Violet gave the gifts they'd prepared to Larissa and Aster.Violet looked at them, tears falling down her cheeks."I have no regrets now," she said."Thank you, Mom." Larissa gave her a big hug.Violet was stunned, and she cried harder."Good girl." She hugged Larissa back, smiling widely.After Anthony and Violet, Gary and Lewis gave them their gifts. However, they were calm. Aster was so happy that he
"Happy Reunion Day!"For some reason, Larissa's eyes became a little moist. Her voice even sounded a bit choked up."What's wrong?" Kevan nervously held her face, urging her to meet his gaze. "Didn't you like the fireworks just now?"She shook her head. "No, I really liked them!""Then, why are you crying?" Kevan couldn't stand seeing her cry; it tugged at his heart."I'm just very moved."She buried her face in his chest, speaking emotionally, "Welcoming the big family reunion dinner with the person you love is wonderful."The corners of Kevan's mouth gradually curved up as he heard what she said.The hand around her waist tightened inch by inch."I love you too, Lari."He lowered his head and planted a kiss on the top of her head.She hurriedly pushed him away as she sensed his body's response. But she couldn't move him much."They're still waiting for us downstairs!" she reminded him.Lewis knew she was awake, and the fireworks were already over. If they stayed he
It was a rare occasion to have the entire extended family gathered together like this for the big family reunion dinner. In the evening, everyone was in high spirits, having enjoyed a bit of alcohol. Violet took advantage of the festive atmosphere and insisted that Gary and Lewis stay.Since Larissa woke up early after a day without proper rest, she was already feeling quite sleepy even though the reunion dinner TV celebration had just begun.Violet was understanding and told her to go to bed.Larissa tried to muster her energy to stay up."No, I'll at least wait until after midnight."She wasn't someone who adhered to rituals or traditions.In previous years, she wouldn't have stayed up late specifically to welcome the big family reunion dinner day.But this year was different.She had the companionship of her family.She was no longer a drifting, rootless plant in a foreign land.Kevan furrowed his brows slightly and gave her a gentle push."You should get some sleep.
Larissa recalled that there was indeed such an incident.However, Kevan's excuse to her was that he needed to go to Westonia to handle matters concerning Edmund."Kevan knows how the customs work better than you! You're not even married. Yet, you're already taking his side!"Gary scoffed.His displeasure was quite obvious.Larissa chuckled awkwardly, then decided to come clean and reveal the whole truth. "Well, the truth is, Kevan and I never actually got divorced. I married him over six years ago."Gary hadn't heard this from Kevan.So, his emotions seemed conflicted upon first hearing that. He clutched his chest. It was as if he were experiencing some discomfort.Larissa and Lewis quickly approached him, asking with concern, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"In a sudden change of demeanor, Gary used his other hand to playfully tap Larissa's forehead.His expression instantly returned to normal. However, the tap was quite forceful, causing Larissa to wince in pain."If yo
Larissa had to pick up Gary and Lewis early tomorrow morning. So, after having dinner, she returned to her room to freshen up and get ready for bed. As she lay down on the bed, she found herself tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep no matter what she did.Kevan had just managed to put Aster to sleep before coming into the room. He noticed that the lights were still on.He furrowed his brow and asked, "Why haven't you fallen asleep yet?"Larissa lifted the blanket and sat up abruptly. "I'm feeling very anxious right now," she admitted.Her hair was in disarray.There was a troubled expression on her face."Anxious about what?" Kevan inquired."Well, my dad is coming over tomorrow. What if he doesn't get along with your parents?" The mere thought of that possibility gave her a headache."Uncle Gary is a reasonable person. He won't easily give anyone a hard time," Kevan defended Gary.His words brought a smile to Larissa's face. "Are you saying he hasn't been gi
"Alright, then. We shall head out." Larissa gathered her belongings and pulled Kevan toward the exit."I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning. It's almost the big family reunion dinner day. "So, it's hard to find a cab on the road. You might even find yourself waiting for half a day without coming across an empty cab."Gary didn't refuse. Instead, he requested, "Then, you come alone tomorrow."Her steps hesitated a moment, and she sighed inwardly. Gary really hadn't changed."Alright," she agreed.…As soon as they closed the door, Larissa began complaining to Kevan, "I thought my dad had really come around! Turns out, he still has reservations about you!"Kevan tightened his grip on her hand and smiled."Take it slow; there has to be a gradual process."He didn't expect Gary to change his attitude overnight. But as long as things were moving in a positive direction, he was content.She shrugged upon hearing that."Well, it's not me who's being wronged here; it's y