The pressure of Yann’s presence made Audrey’s heart race. She quickly raised her hands and pressed them against his chest. Beneath her palm, she felt a strong, steady heartbeat and solid muscles.
She looked up and met his dark, bottomless eyes. Her breath caught. Strange emotions surged in her chest, ready to spill out. “…”
The cooker went off with a loud chime.
Audrey quickly pushed his arm aside. “Dinner’s ready, I’ll go do more dishes.”
Yann noticed the faint redness on her ears and smiled indulgently. He took the oil bottle from her hands before she dropped it. “I’ve got it.”
“Then I’ll take out the trash.” Audrey bolted out the door as if fleeing the scene.
Not far from the villa was a waterside pavilion. Audrey threw her trash over there to calm down.
Yann was the best man she’d ever known–besides her father. Handsome, talented, and so kind to her. She was hooked on him. The intense feelings from her youth slowly faded after she found out he was a rich heir.
The story of Cinderella and her Prince Charming only exists in fairy tales. If love is out of reach, maybe friendship remains. What shocked Audrey even more was that Yann’s stepmother turned out to be her own mom.
That selfish woman secretly came to her, begging her not to ruin her happiness.
Thinking back, Audrey suddenly laughed–bitterly, mockingly, with a touch of self–deprecation. Thank goodness it was all one–sided. At least Yann only ever saw her as a sister.
A car arrived and stopped at gate number 16.
Amelia had bought a bunch of stuff. Calvin carried seven or eight bags in both hands, and there were more in the car.
“Let me help.” Audrey ran over and took two bags out of the car. They were pretty heavy.
“Here, you take these lighter ones.” Calvin swapped two light bags for her and briskly carried the rest inside.
Amelia took a bag from Audrey quietly and said, “I want to be sure about their relationship before I leave. Sorry for bothering you lately.”
“Not bothering at all.” Audrey thought to herself that they were really a family of three, and she was the odd one out. Her presence probably made things awkward between Yann and Calvin.
“Maybe I should leave once I finish cleaning.” She didn’t think she could stand watching Yann and Calvin being all lovey–dovey. It felt too weird.
“You have to stay.” Amelia raised her hand, covering her mouth slightly. “This is the first time I’ve met someone like you. Keep me company.”
She was the type who liked to share. Her son’s inclinations, she could accept–but not share them with someone close. Audrey was different–no business rivalry, no personal conflict. Someone to gush with, analyze the juicy details.
Calvin carried the stuff to the guest room on the first floor, as Amelia requested. She was curious but didn’t want to disturb them.
After putting down the things, he carried a mattress from the car, unfolded it on the bed, and quickly set up the bedding.
“Pretty considerate.” Amelia nodded in approval.
Calvin thought, ‘Is that a compliment for a man? Not sure, but at least it’s positive.
“This brand of shampoo is great. Take some.” Amelia handed Audrey some toiletries. “It makes your hair fluffy and fragrant, like you’re wearing perfume!”
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Chapter 95
Do you usually wear perfume? What brand do you like? What skincare do you use to have such good skin?” Amella was talkative and got along well with Audrey right away.
Audrey didn’t like perfume but loved the smell of orange peel.
Vann came out carrying dishes and saw the two women chatting happily among the scattered, unpacked items. “Dinner’s ready.”
“Coming.” Amelia gave Audrey a bag of things to take back to her room.
Audrey looked at Yann and thought, ‘How do you say this? A part–time worker living in the master bedroom upstairs?‘
Yann walked over, placed a large hand on Audrey’s shoulder, spun her half around, and gently pushed her toward the stairs. “It’s a gift. Just keep it.”
Audrey glanced at Amelia. She seemed not to care where Audrey lived. Audrey grabbed two bags and went to the guest room.
Yann patted her shoulder again before she went upstairs.
When they came back down, everyone was in the dining room. Calvin wanted to leave, but Amelia stopped him. “Audrey, sit down too. Let’s eat together.”
So Amelia and Audrey sat on one side, Calvin and Yann on the other.
Amelia served Audrey some food, then glanced at Yann, signaling him to copy her.
Yann picked up a piece of beef and put it on Audrey’s plate.
Amelia thought, ‘Are you dumb? Don’t you know who to take care of? At this age, never dated or watched melodramas? And I made it so obvious, how can you not get it?‘
Amelia pinned her hopes on Calvin and gave him a look.
Calvin felt awkward eating. Seeing Amelia look at him, he hesitated, then put the food on Audrey’s plate.
Audrey and Yann went speechless.
Amelia was speechless. A total case of dumb and dumber falling for each other. She finally understood why they clicked.
Dinner ended in a strange vibe, with everyone serving Audrey food until she was full.
Calvin busily cleared the table, afraid his husband would be upset.
Amelia watched Calvin become more and more considerate, then followed Audrey out for a walk.
Audrey finally understood why Amelia had such a healthy figure.
“Why didn’t he inherit my hopeless romantic genes?” asked Amelia.
Audrey wobbled on the spot where she first stopped.
*I always knew Logan was a wild one. Thought I could tame him, change him–married him without hesitation,” Amelia said during her fourth trip up. “Then, after I gave birth to Yann, I realized he wasn’t just unchanged–he got worse. So I divorced him on the spot.”
Audrey slid down, rubbing her sore arm. “What about Mr. Winifred?”
“I wanted custody, but he wouldn’t give it. He couldn’t have kids anymore after his injury,” Amelia said, landing lightly beside Audrey.
“First, you’re your own person. Then, someone’s wife, someone’s mother. The custody’s with Logan, but he’s always swamped with work, so Yann’s often here with me.”
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Audrey lowered her eyes. Same divorce, same motherhood. Same, “be your own person first, then someone’s wife or mom.” But Amelia and Lucia had handled things so differently.
Maybe because Amelia was financially independent, while Lucia depended on men like a delicate flower.
Sensing Audrey’s bad mood, Amelia held her hand. “Don’t be afraid to love just because of one failed marriage. My remarriage is very happy.” Amelia spoke gently, “Calvin told me you’re divorced. I think you’re great and deserve better!”
Audrey was speechless. “Why is the topic suddenly about me?”
Amelia dragged Audrey out for a jog, and the more she looked at her, the more she liked her. “If that brat of mine weren’t so useless, you’d already be my daughter–in–law!”
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Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Audrey never thought of herself as delicate, but after a round of Amelia’s training, her legs
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
