MasukOpening a branch. Evelyn blinked her bright eyes.
Yes. The server beamed. Judging by how you talk, you must be one of our old customers in London. Would you like a box of strawberry cake. I can pack it for you.
Evelyn glanced at the long line outside.
Would this count as cutting in line.
You are an old customer. We treat our loyal guests very well.
Before the server finished, another staff member approached with a paper box already packed.
Evelyn paid.
As she walked away, both staff members waved enthusiastically until she disappeared into the mall.
Gloria followed behind, muttering, Sales pitches are getting scarier. You barely said a word and they already boxed it up for you.
Meanwhile, Evelyn sent Patricia a message.
She snapped a photo of the Mayfair Strawberry House storefront and shared her live location.
Evelyn: They opened a branch in New York.
Patricia: Perfect perfect. Now you can get some
Inside the restroom.Evelyn stood before the sink, cooling a disposable towel under cold water. She wrung it out and pressed it against her slightly flushed cheeks.Nicholas had only kissed her to defend his own. Nothing more.She steadied herself.Her racing heartbeat slowly calmed.When the heat faded from her face, she removed the towel and reapplied her lipstick carefully in the mirror.She returned to the banquet hall.Just like before, she stayed beside Nicholas and greeted various guests.Tonight Mr. Drake was unusually approachable.He rarely attended social events, and even more rarely bothered to speak to people. He hated their polished courtesy and pretentious flattery.In one corner of the hall, whispers spread.Since Mr. Drake got married, his temper seems much better. He is easier to approach now.Right. I greeted him earlier, and he actually said a few words to me. In the past, he would not have spared us a glance.So the saying that marriage changes a man is true after
Back at the police station, she had run up to him and kissed him first.In the Newport hotel, the moment she saw him step onto the lawn, she hurried after him saying she missed him.She celebrated his birthday, stayed with him during the New Year, even the subtle scents in the house were chosen with him in mind. Everything she did revealed her feelings for Nicholas.But she never confessed.If she would just say it out loud, he would agree immediately. They could become a real couple in every sense.Nicholas stood by the bed for a long moment.He picked up his phone and typed in the group chat.Nicholas: Graham, why would a woman like a man but never confess.Vance: …Graham: She is shy. Girls are thin skinned. If you hint a little, let her feel you two are possible, she will gather the courage to confess.Vance: …Nicholas: How do I hint.Graham: Do couple activities. Attend events as a pair. Drop some signs and she will understand.Vance: …A second later, a gray notification appear
He said he had not adjusted to the change of environment while abroad these past few days, so the heat in his body was acting up and caused the nosebleed.Evelyn nodded and believed him. She wanted to help him wipe it, but he stopped her. Go try on your gown.Are you sure you are alright.She leaned toward him, trying to see. Because of the height difference, the moment she tilted forward, Nicholas lowered his gaze and caught the view at her neckline.He instantly looked away and left the store’s main hall.Evelyn stood still for a moment, worried as she watched him walk off. But she eventually followed the manager upstairs and continued trying on the remaining sample gowns.She tried three.Nicholas chose the third one. A modest high waisted long dress, no bare shoulders and no exposed legs. A touch proper, a touch playful.As they left, he could not help glancing again at the first gown she tried. The deep
Opening a branch. Evelyn blinked her bright eyes.Yes. The server beamed. Judging by how you talk, you must be one of our old customers in London. Would you like a box of strawberry cake. I can pack it for you.Evelyn glanced at the long line outside.Would this count as cutting in line.You are an old customer. We treat our loyal guests very well.Before the server finished, another staff member approached with a paper box already packed.Evelyn paid.As she walked away, both staff members waved enthusiastically until she disappeared into the mall.Gloria followed behind, muttering, Sales pitches are getting scarier. You barely said a word and they already boxed it up for you.Meanwhile, Evelyn sent Patricia a message.She snapped a photo of the Mayfair Strawberry House storefront and shared her live location.Evelyn: They opened a branch in New York.Patricia: Perfect perfect. Now you can get some
The words kite flying sounded strangely out of place coming from him.Evelyn assumed he was joking and did not take it seriously.Still, as a listener, she answered softly. Yes, I will follow the doctor’s orders and rest well.Rain fell for several days straight.Evelyn lay on the hanging chair on the balcony, covered with a gray blanket, eyes closed as she listened to the sound of rain.When Gloria reached the doorway, she froze at the sight.The girl was resting quietly. Her dark hair spilled over the pillow in a loose, relaxed tumble. Peaceful. Serene.Gloria instinctively softened her movements. She approached the chair, placing a freshly made cup of hot apple cider on the tall side table.Gloria.The girl’s gentle voice rose.Gloria turned, meeting Evelyn’s beautiful eyes. Evelyn’s eyes were clear and soft, able to calm even the wildest temper with just one look.No
Henry clung to the woman he believed was his wife, pleading in pain. Xenia, please forgive me one last time. I swear I will never make the same mistake again. I will never get involved with another woman. For the sake of all our years together, please forgive me once more.Hailey snapped back from her thoughts.Catching him off guard, she yanked her hand free and bolted for the door.Henry was faster.And much stronger.He lunged forward, seized her arm again, and dragged her back. Hailey lost her balance and fell backward.With a loud thud, the back of her head hit the edge of the sofa. Her vision flashed white, and she blacked out.Hailey woke to a stabbing pain at the back of her head.She pressed her neck and slowly pushed herself up from the carpet. Henry lay passed out on the sofa.She looked down at herself instinctively.Her clothes were intact. Other than the ache in her head, nothing felt wrong. That mea







