Bassburgh had always been warm during winter and cool during summer. The roses in the garden located just outside the window still looked delicate and beautiful under the meticulous care of the gardener during the winter.Maisie had been giving herself a time off recently and had left her company to Lucy to manage, and she took some time to visit Sapphie at Uncle Kennedy’s today.Sapphie was already half a year old, and her soft hair had grown a little longer. Her facial features were not fully grown just yet, except for her bright, big eyes that seemed to be able to fit the whole galaxy in each of them, and they would bend into two crescent moons whenever she smiled.“This little girl will definitely grow up to be a gorgeous lady.” Kennedy held Sapphie in his arms and was unwilling to part with her. Although he was not her biological father, he already regarded Sapphie as his own daughter after all the company that he had shown her throughout the past few months.Maisie smiled and
Maisie rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Ryleigh Hill, are you dumb or what? You’re engaged to Louis, and you dare to stay at Joe’s place for one whole night after grabbing a drink with him? Do you know what the public will do to people like you? They’ll slaughter you on the Internet.”“I was in a bad mood that day.” Ryleigh propped her head against her arm and stared blankly at the table. “His ex-girlfriend had to attend a dinner, and why didn’t he think about my feelings and our engagement when he went to the banquet with her as her male companion?”Maisie narrowed her eyes.Ryleigh laughed out loud abruptly. “The engagement is just a façade. If it weren’t for the marriage that the two families arranged, his ex might even be able to get back together again with him.”Maisie supported her chin with her hand. “If Louis really wants to go back to Xyla, your engagement with him would’ve gone down the sewage ages ago. Maybe there’s another reason for him to accompany Xyla to the dinner.
Ryleigh wanted to take deep breaths, but she couldn't move because he held her so tightly. Louis only let her go when she stopped struggling. He held up her chin and got close to her lips, pushing the hair off her lip. “I wouldn’t give him a chance even if you liked him. I won’t agree to call off our wedding.“Ryleigh, your heart can only belong to me.”Ryleigh’s tears rolled down her face, unable to voice out the sadness in her heart. He kissed the tears on her cheeks away but continued kissing down her neck, then picked her up and walked toward the office. The pain took her breath away, and she almost bit his lips open. Louis kissed her cheek from behind her, tilting his head.The light behind the curtains turned blurry, shining on the overlapped silhouette reflected in the window. Until the evening, Ryleigh sat in the passenger seat wrapped up in Louis’ coat. Her eyes were on the view outside, her face looking tired and pale. Louis sent her home, carrying her in. He loo
Just like when Xyla had come to say thanks, she was just in the office for less than 10 minutes and nothing could have happened.Everything that Helios said made Louis think about Ryleigh’s reaction, and she seemed to care.His hand was still on his forehead, then his head started to hurt. “I have no intention of getting back with Xyla. It was just an event for her new movie. She had another date that night, but something came up, so she came to me instead.”He had agreed because he owed her, and it wasn’t too much to help. Helios put his hand on his shoulder and patted it. “I know you owe her, but it’s best to explain to Ryleigh. She doesn’t know what happened between you, so it was normal that she misunderstood.”The next day…The music academy was planning the Christmas event. The students registered to join the clubs, but they were mostly for solo instruments—most of the students went for piano and violin.In comparison, there were a lot fewer people who signed up to be pa
Charles saw them but didn’t show it on his face. He smiled and asked Ryleigh, “I guess we didn’t get a lot of students to sign up.”Ryleigh smiled awkwardly. Ruby was Charles’ student. She laughed and said, “Sir, Ray has been working really hard at recruiting. We have three days. If we get a few today and a few tomorrow, we might not get a lot, but it could be enough for a performance.”Charles nodded happily. “It’s alright, I believe in you. The development of the orchestra in this academy relies on you.”Ruby started having a conversation with Charles at the side, leaving Ryleigh and Louis standing in their spots. Ryleigh was stuck between leaving and staying, but when she was hesitating, Louis put out his hand.She asked, “What are you doing?”He said, “Give me your hand.”She hesitantly put out her left hand, but before it was fully stretched out, Louis pulled her wrist forward.Before she could react, he slowly tied a bracelet with purple pearls around her wrist. She
Louis lowered his head and looked at Ryleigh. “But what happened between us is all in the past now. I won’t talk to her anymore if you don’t like it.”Ryleigh didn’t expect him to follow her wishes and didn’t know what to say at that moment. It even made her feel that she was being petty and finding fault where there was none.“Ryleigh,” Louis held her cheeks and leaned closer, “We never did anything in our six years of relationship. You’re the only one I’ve touched.”Ryleigh’s face turned red, and she raised her hands and pushed him away. She then lowered her head and said, “Enough.”Louis added, “Yesterday was the first time… I hurt you. I’ll do better— Mm.”Ryleigh covered his mouth, her face red as a tomato. “I said stop.”Louis held her hand and kissed her fingers. Her mind went blank and almost started smoking.He continued kissing her, forgetting how fierce he had been the night before, and was instead gentle.Ryleigh fell into his arms and forgot to push him away. …
Barbara answered with no expression, “I don’t know you that well.”“Now that my buddy Eric has passed, you’ve forgotten me too?” The man put his hand on her shoulder and got closer to her. “You still look so beautiful after so many years.”His hand moved downward. Maisie suddenly stood up, grabbed his wrist, and kicked him in the knee. The man fell to the floor.“You just got splashed with tea, and you’re touching my friend in public now. That’s sexual harassment.”Maisie’s voice attracted more stares. The man looked embarrassed, got up from the floor, and laughed. “B*tch, stay in your lane.”He swung at Maisie, who avoided it and pushed him toward the floor after that.Everyone around them stood up to get a look. Dome took out their phones to take pictures while others cheered.Ryleigh walked up and kicked him. “That’s for trying to bully women.”“You… You better watch your backs!” The man stumbled and scurried away. Maisie looked at Barbara, who looked pale. “He was one o
Helios rolled the window up.‘See you later?’Ryleigh and Maisie looked at each other before casting their gazes on Barbara. It seemed to them that he was not talking to them.Saydie sent Ryleigh home first before fetching Barbara and Maisie home.Maisie turned her head around and asked, “Are you alright?”Barbara snapped herself out of her thoughts and replied with a smile, “Yeah. I’m fine.”“It seems to me that Johnny won’t let you off so easily. I think you shouldn’t come out alone these few days.”Barbara was momentarily stunned before flashing her a grin. “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”Saydie stopped the car outside of Skyhigh Park, and she only drove the car away after Barbara had gotten out of the car and bid them goodbye.Saydie looked at the rear mirror and said, “Miss, I’ll go back to Morwich in a few more days.”“Did something happen to Daddy Strix?” Maisie asked nervously.Saydie shook her head and replied, “Strix is fine. He told me that he has found
“Daisie.” Leah and Morrison walked up to her with wine glasses. “You look so pretty today.”“Thank you,” Daisie said with a smile.Leah lifted her wine glass. “I propose a toast. Morrison and I wish you a happy marriage.”Daisie clinked glasses with her. “Same goes for you and Morrison.”After the toast, Cameron walked up to Daisie with Waylon. Behind them were Freyja, Colton, Maisie, and Nolan.Maisie raised her hand and caressed her on the cheek. “You were great earlier today.”She giggled. “Really?”Nolan added, “You’ll forever be our dazzling pride, so yes.”Daisie grinned as if she was still the little princess of the family.Nollace came over. “Dad, Mom, a toast to the both of you. Thank you for letting me have Daisie’s hand.”“Consider yourself lucky.” Nolan snorted softly, picked up his wine glass, and clinked glasses with him. “You’d better treat my daughter well from now on.”Nollace glanced at Daisie. “Don’t worry. She’ll forever be my one and only.”Maisie chuck
In order to make way for the wedding carriage, other vehicles had been forbidden from accessing the route from the palace to the cathedral.Daisie looked out of the carriage—the streets were crowded with citizens, and they were all there to witness this grand scene.Nollace, sitting on the side, was wearing a double-breasted dark blue military jacket. He looked tall and broad, and there were two St. Patrick’s Stars on his epaulets, one on each side, a full set of medals on his chest, and other complicated decorations.He held the back of Daisie’s hand and smiled suddenly. “You have sweaty palms.”Daisie looked back at him and responded with a trembling voice, “I’m nervous.”He lifted her hand and kissed the back of her hand. “I’m here, so don’t be nervous. Just take it easy.”Daisie’s gaze landed on his wedding jacket. “You look nice in this uniform.”Nollace chuckled. “And my bride looks stunning too.”Arriving at the cathedral, Nollace was separated from Daisie. Accompanied b
“By the way, where’s Cameron?” asked Morrison.Waylon replied, “She’s accompanying her father on a stroll. I’m going to go meet them already, so I’ll leave you to yourselves for now. You can do whatever you want with your free time.”After saying that, he got up and left the couple.Morrison shook his head. “He’s changed now that he has a wife.”“You’re speaking as if you haven’t changed.” Leah got up instantly and left the restaurant.Morrison put his cup down and caught up to her immediately. “Hey, why would you leave me behind? Wait for me.”Maisie and Saydie came out of the private room and ran into Nolan and Quincy in the corridor.Quincy nodded. “Mrs. Goldmann.”Maisie stopped in front of Nolan, and Nolan grabbed her by her hand. “Have you finished catching up?”“Of course. Didn’t you want to go to the Hathaways’ villa with Dad in the afternoon?”Nolan smiled. “I was waiting for you. We’re just going over to have a meal together.”Quincy walked up to Saydie’s side and
Daisie grinned from ear to ear. “Then I’ll wear this crown on my wedding day, which can be considered an endorsement for my mom’s jewelry company and design.”Nollace hugged her from behind. “You can do anything as long as you like it.”…The members of the Goldmanns arrived in Yaramoor two days before the wedding and stayed in the hotel arranged by Nollace. The royal family had reserved the entire hotel for receiving distinguished guests from Zlokova who came to attend the wedding.Members from the Bouchers and the Lucases showed up, and Sunny was also present.There were also some familiar faces from the Zlokovian entertainment industry. Hannah, Amy, James, and Charlie, who were close friends with Daisie, all came.Leah and Morrison were also on the invitation list.When Maisie came to the restaurant, the waiter led her into a private room.As soon as she saw the man sitting inside, she smiled and exclaimed, “Godfather!”Strix slowly turned around.She had not seen him for
The rest of the people laughed.The night came, and the entire city was shrouded in a mist of neon light. Daisie and Nollace returned to Taylorton after having their dinner.Her hair was wet as she got out of the shower. Nollace took over her towel and helped her to dry her hair.She sat in front of her dresser and looked at the person behind her through the mirror. There was a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she said, “Nolly, I’m really looking forward to our wedding.”“Really?” Nollace gently dried the soft tips of her hair. “I’m looking forward to it too.”“I can say that my life is perfect now, right? Since I can marry and walk down the aisle with the man I love the most.”He laughed out loud and leaned down to her ear. “You know what? All the wishes in my life have come true as well.”Daisie turned her head around. “What are your wishes?”“Marry you, give you a wedding, and have our own kids.”She was stunned. Slowly, her face turned red due to her embarrassme
“Yeah, it’s true,” replied Zephir.“It seems like you’ve finally become more mature after coming back from your vacation.” Naomi patted his shoulder. “I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.” He smiled at her but did not say anything.…Soon, it was the end of the month. Their vacation had come to an end, and they returned to Bassburgh.Maisie and Nolan were waiting for them in the courtyard. After getting out of the car, Daisie ran up to them. “Mommy! Daddy!”She hugged both of them.Nolan petted her head and smiled helplessly. “You’re an adult now. You should stop acting like a kid.”She smiled back at them and said, “But I know I’ll always be your kid in your eyes.”Maisie chuckled and looked at the other people. “It seems like you guys had a lot of fun. Anyway, come in first. We should eat together tonight.”Freyja and Cameron went to look for their kids after they went into the house. Charm and her two cousins were staying in the same room. All of them were sl
Nollace looked at them. “What a coincidence.”“Morrison and I were here earlier than you guys,” said Leah. “We only found out that you guys were here when Daisie posted a photo on her Facebook page.”Daisie pulled Leah to the seat and said, “Then you should stay a few more days with us.”After Morrison took his seat, Waylon introduced him to Freyja and Daisie. “She’s my sister-in-law, Freyja, and she’s my sister. Her name is Daisie.”“I’ve seen them before at your wedding,” said Morrison. “Your sister is my wife’s classmate. She has told me before.”“Since when did I become your wife? There’s a chance I may not marry you in the future,” said Leah.“We’re already engaged. If you don’t want to marry me, who else are you going to marry?” Morrison frowned, causing the crowd to break out in a burst of laughter, save for Daisie.She looked at Leah in disbelief and asked, “Engaged? When did you get engaged, Leah?” Leah cleared her throat and replied, “Well, I forgot to inform you abo
The stall owner said, “$10 for three chances.”“$10 for three chances only? That’s expensive,” commented Freyja.The stall owner raised his head and said, “I’m the cheapest around here. Other stalls offer $15 for three chances.” Daisie tugged at Freyja and said, “Let's just give him the money. It isn't easy for them to set up a stall here anyway, so let's have some fun.”After that, she gave $20 to the stall owner and said, “Please give us six hoops.”The stall owner gave her six hoops. She had her eyes set on a bracelet. Although she knew it was fake, it was rather beautiful. She held a hoop and threw it toward the bracelet.However, she did not get it.She threw another two hoops at the bracelet, but her attempts failed, much to her chagrin. She had only three hoops left.Seeing that Daisie was prepared to give up, Cameron took over the rest of the hoops in her hand and said, “Leave it to me.”She squinted and aimed at the bracelet. After that, she threw the hoop at it an
The night of the old town was silent. The air was filled with nothing but the humming of insects. There was a lamp hanging outside of the tent on the grass. The atmosphere was quiet. Daisie was tossing and turning in the sleeping bag as sleep just wouldn't come to her. Suddenly, an arm appeared across her waist as she was brought into a chest. “What’s the matter? You can’t sleep?”“Yeah…” She buried her head in his chest and said, “I want to go to take a leak, but I’m a little bit scared.”Nollace kissed her forehead and said, “I’ll go with you then.”Both of them came out of the tent. Nollace took a flashlight and led Daisie to a row of trees in the distance. Daisie turned her head and said, “You wait for me here.”Nollace nodded. “Just shout my name if you need anything.”She walked into the forest and stopped in front of a tree not far away from Nollace.After she had done her business, she hastily got out of the forest and held tightly to Nollace’s arm. “Alright, let’s go