Rowena suddenly pointed into the distance. "Once, when I brought you water and a towel, you deliberately took what another girl offered. That afternoon, it rained heavily, and I walked back alone in the rain, heartbroken."
Howard stiffened—was this old account being settled?
"I... might have done it on purpose to get your attention! I'm just a bit stubborn," he quickly explained gently.
"I don't know if it was on purpose, but I was really hurt back then," Rowena said, lowering her head with a self-mocking smile. "My entire youth was spent in your shadow."
Howard's heart tightened. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "Fortunately, it wasn't another man's shadow."
"Then what about you? Was I part of your youth?" She looked up at him.
"Me?" Howard's heart raced. "You know, teenage rebellion—besides playing, sleeping, and soccer, I was chasing you—honest!"
"Sure, you had a great family, good loo
This overly polite atmosphere made the scene awkward for a moment. Tasha immediately glared at her father. "Dad, don't be so formal!"Leo said, "You're too kind. I'm just here for a casual meal with Sunny."A flash of jealousy crossed Tasha's eyes.She had thought Leo's kindness toward Sunny was ordinary, but seeing his natural demeanor, as if they were one, left her no room to interject.Moira happily sized up Leo. Though she often saw him in films, seeing him in person was disbelief-inducing—he was more handsome than on screen, taller, and most importantly, his kindness toward Sunny seemed genuine."Moira, hello," Leo greeted Moira courteously.Moira's smile widened. "Let's move to the living room. I've prepared some coffee."Apart from her love for money, Moira shared the warmth of many housewives.Sunny turned and brought in the gifts from the car. "Mom, these are from Leo as a token of his regards. I'll take them upstairs
"Ah?" The man raised a brow, his expression inscrutable as he stared at her. "So, you're one of the fans he's charmed?""No, no, no misunderstandings! I simply admire his acting. It's not the same thing!" Sunny quickly backpedaled, sensing a tinge of sourness in his tone."I can't poach him," Leo said, his voice turning cold though he didn't doubt her feelings for Harley."Why not? I heard Nebula is already trying to recruit him." Sunny whispered curiously."Because it's Harley. Do you know who he is?" A flicker of displeasure crossed Leo's eyes."Who? You two know each other? Have some history?" Sunny's expression grew more astonished.Leo nodded. "He's the childhood friend of Catherine and once a rival for Blake's affection. How could I bring Blake's rival into the company and promote him to stardom? Blake would beat me to a pulp.""Ah..." Sunny was at a loss, recalling Catherine's sorrowful expression when they'd discussed Harley.
Patricia remarked, "Noah's grown up. It's hard to catch him in an awkward moment. You must have caused quite a few funny scenes when you were little. It's such a pity I missed them."Noah rolled his eyes. "Great-grandma, you enjoy seeing me embarrass myself? How boring!"As Blake and Catherine descended the stairs, they happened to see Abigail carrying Hedwig upstairs.The little girl, listless and leaning on her great-grandmother's shoulder, weakly greeted Blake and Catherine before drifting back to sleep.The couple exchanged a smile."Leo and Sunny didn't come for dinner, right?" Catherine casually inquired."He had quite a bit to drink and called to say he wouldn't make it tonight," Blake replied softly.In truth, Leo hadn't returned to the Royal Pack's manor for dinner because Sunny was apprehensive about facing Abigail.Patricia had also extended an invitation to Richard's family, but they'd declined with excuses—Ri
Rowena suddenly pointed into the distance. "Once, when I brought you water and a towel, you deliberately took what another girl offered. That afternoon, it rained heavily, and I walked back alone in the rain, heartbroken."Howard stiffened—was this old account being settled?"I... might have done it on purpose to get your attention! I'm just a bit stubborn," he quickly explained gently."I don't know if it was on purpose, but I was really hurt back then," Rowena said, lowering her head with a self-mocking smile. "My entire youth was spent in your shadow."Howard's heart tightened. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "Fortunately, it wasn't another man's shadow.""Then what about you? Was I part of your youth?" She looked up at him."Me?" Howard's heart raced. "You know, teenage rebellion—besides playing, sleeping, and soccer, I was chasing you—honest!""Sure, you had a great family, good loo
The kiss soothed her sorrow and panic, and she let her fingers trace his face.As the atmosphere grew intense, the door suddenly opened—Patricia stood in the doorway."Whoa!" Both were startled, Leo's face flushing instantly.Patricia hadn't expected the young couple to be so passionate. She awkwardly cleared her throat. "Leo, are you alright? Did you drink too much?"Realizing her question was redundant—had he been truly drunk, he wouldn't have been so affectionate—Leo glanced at Sunny, whose embarrassment was palpable.He smiled reassuringly at Patricia. "I'm fine, not drunk. Granny, you should check on Blake. He seems to have had more than enough.""I just came from him; he's asleep. If you're alright, that's good. Sunny, please look after him as well," Patricia said kindly.Sunny nodded nervously. "I will. Don't worry.""Alright then," Patricia said, feeling she shouldn't intrude further. She closed the do
After Blake got drunk, Howard and the others left following dinner.Howard and Rowena drove to the city, planning to pick up Linette from Rowena's parents' place."Rowena, I think our constant bickering is quite interesting," Howard said with a grin."Is that so? But you used to hate my quarrelsome nature. When did you change your mind?" Rowena's lips curled into a smile.Their relationship had become much more relaxed now. Love wasn't suffocating anymore—it turned out love needed a balance of tension and ease."Ever since you made up your mind to break up with me. I finally realized I have a masochistic streak—when you're endlessly good to me, I get annoyed; now that you're ‘not nice’ to me, I can't help but cling to you."Howard had become an amateur relationship expert, discarding his former self-importance and wholeheartedly becoming a "love slave."Rowena was amused into laughter—this man had grown m
"Mom, the wedding was perfect!" Richard said with a smile as he approached Patricia.Patricia nodded. "That's good. Unlike the engagement day, when some jerk leaked those absurd rumors at the ceremony. If I find out who it was, I'll give them a piece of my mind."Richard knew his mother's temper and quickly averted his gaze, gesturing toward Nick. "His leg's injured. I'll help him over.""I was wondering about that. Nick, what happened to your leg? Who hurt you?" Patricia immediately leaned in with concern.Nick's face was grim, unresponsive even to his grandmother's care. "I'm fine, Granny. I got to leave now. I don't feel like eating.""You can't leave after coming all this way. Let your father help you over," Patricia insisted, adhering to tradition that demanded they stay for the meal."I can't eat," Nick said, standing up stiffly and limping toward the church exit without Richard's assistance.Patricia followed a few steps, but R
Catherine and Halsey couldn't help but smile listening to the children's conversation.The previous melancholy was instantly dispelled by the kids' exchange."You better watch your step or you'll fall," Noah hurriedly warned his sister upon hearing her plan to trip."Okay, I will!" The little girl immediately bit her lip, looking as if courage had suddenly filled her small frame."Noah, Hedwig, it's time to go!" Halsey gently reminded them.With that, the two children, holding handfuls of flower petals, scattered them into the air, creating a romantic shower of flowers.Catherine's entrance with the children drew everyone's attention.The two children were adorable and beautiful. Catherine, in a floor-length pure white wedding gown with a sheer veil that faintly revealed her delicate and lovely features, lightly rested one hand on Halsey's arm and walked forward with him to the music.The three generations walking down the red
The four men eyed the fair-skinned little girl, assessing her.Howard sighed. "Blake's got it easier now. Hedwig's older and more sensible. My little princess, though tiny, has quite the temper. She gives me a headache every day."Leo sat with Hedwig on his lap, stroking her long hair. "Hedwig, are you ready to be a flower girl with Noah?""Yep!" the little girl nodded eagerly."Just remember not to be nervous when you walk," Leo smiled."I won't! I'm not scared!" Hedwig patted her chest bravely.But soon, her courage faltered.Upon seeing the church filled with guests, she shrank at the entrance, too scared to step forward.Meanwhile, Richard helped a limping Nick to their seats in the front row."Cheer up. Don't let others sense anything's wrong," Richard said, noticing Nick's sullen face.Nick couldn't force himself to be happy. He wished he weren't here.At that moment, a figure appeared before them.