Chapter 21
When the vet was mentioned, Rachel’s tears froze awkwardly mid–blink. “Charles, you.” She was so angry that she couldn’t even t of a comeback.
“Snow was with me for five years. She was like family. What’s the problem?” replied Charles.
think
There really wasn’t a problem. Rachel just didn’t feel like arguing. She got up, ready to jump back into the pool, but Charles grabbed her arm. “Let me do it instead
That’s so kind of you
Charles didn’t hide his disdain. If you keep going like this, you’ll be stuck in the pool all day.”
He had a point. After Jennie passed away, Rachel’s health took a hit and never fully recovered. Back in college, she’d earned a diving certification, and swimming used to be a breeze. But now, even something so simple took a lot out of her.
Just as her emotions were swirling. Charles made a loud splash and dove into the pool. About ten minutes later, he surfaced, holding a few beads. “Count them. Are they enough?”
Twenty–one beads in total. Still missing one, Rachel said. As soon as she finished speaking, Charles disappeared underwater again.
This time, he stayed under noticeably longer. Rachel stood by the pool, watching Charles swim back and forth at the bottom. Her emotions were a tangled mess.
“Charles, it’s okay if you can’t find it,” she said, but he raised a hand out of the water, signaling her not to v
to worry.
After what felt like another ten minutes, Charles climbed out. His lips were pale from holding his breath so long, and his sharp features had turned unnaturally red.
Rachel held the beads in her hand and called out to Charles, who was already heading for the door, “Charles, thank you.” Without turning back, he waved his hand and disappeared into his room.
The evening breeze from the port brushed against their faces when the two had dinner, gentle and romantic. On their way back, Charles said, “Get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow morning, we’ll go to Disneyland, and we can watch the fireworks in the evening.”
Sure enough, Rachel was woken up early the next morning by Lillian. “Ms. Sampson, Mr. Lopez has already had his breakfast and is waiting for you downstairs.
Rachel got ready quickly and left with Charles at 8:30. Haloport was nothing like Belgimia, and even Charles seemed different today. ile usually had that cold, reserved aura, but now, dressed in a crisp white shirt and casual pants, he looked youthful and charming. At six–foot–one, he turned heads wherever he went.
As the two lined up to get in, people kept glancing their way. Rachel, not used to all the attention, felt a bit awkward. Charles, however, remained as composed as ever, his expression completely calm.
Good looks did have their advantages. Even the staff member checking their tickets seemed warmer to them.
On the street, during a celebration dance, Rachel spotted a little girl about Jennie’s age, perched on her father’s shoulders, her smile beaming with pure joy.
Rachel stood there, lost in thought, until the ice cream in her ha
hand began to melt and drip onto her fingers, jolting her back to reality. Charles, standing beude her, said. “Let me take a picture of you. You can show it to Jennie when you get home”
e sign in front of Mickey. A few steps away, while Rachel
Rachel nodded, her mind heavy with thoughts as she struck a pose with a peace sign in
distracted, Charles quietly snapped a ploto of her with his own phone.
During lunch at the restaurant, Rachel overheard that there wouldn’t be a fireworks show that night. She turned to Charles and said, “Let’s head back after we finish rating”
“We’re not going to watch the fireworks? Charles asked.
“I heard the fireworks show was canceled, Rachel replied, and with that, she hurried off to pay the bill.
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Chapter 21
were leaving, they heard an excited tourist exclaim, “Wow, I heard the fireworks show is back on tonight!”
As they were
“Really? Then this trip w
wasn’t for nothing” another person shouted.
Hearing that. Rachel turned to Charles, her expression puzzled. “You couldn’t have done it, could you?”
Charles spread his hands. Tm just a small–time lawyer. You’re giving me way too much credit.
Rachel agreed and thought, “How could Charles have pulled something like that off?
By the time night fell, most of the tourists had already staked out the best spots. When Rachel and Charles arrived, the area was packed. They found a relatively empty spot and sat down. Before long, the sky erupted with a loud boom
The pitch–black night sky was suddenly ablaze with colorful bursts of light. The radiant display shot upward, mesmerizing the crowd with its dazzling colors.
Rachel muttered in her mind. This is the exact moment Jennie once dreamed of. But sadly, she could never see it now!
Rachel’s eyes widened as she tried to take in every detail, wanting to etch the beauty into her memory. She hoped to describe it to Jennie someday. Tears silently rolled down her cheeks.
Charles noticed the tears tracing her delicate, sharp features and took out a handkerchief. He gently reached our to wipe away the tears from her face.
Rachel snapped back to reality, looking at Charles with a mix of guilt and sorrow. Her lips trembled, but she couldn’t find the words to speak.
Charles said. “Jennie would be so happy if she knew her mom was here watching the fireworks with her.”
Rachel nodded and thought, ‘Of course, Jennie loved me so much. She’s probably watching from above.
Just then, a sharp voice came from the crowd. “Rachel, you…”
Rachel turned to see Yedda emerging, holding Tracy’s hand, with Andrew right behind her, his face dark as a storm cloud. Andrew asked, “Rachel, you left Jennie behind to come here and hang out with some random guy, huh?”
Rachel wiped her tears and glanced at the stuffed toy in Tracy’s hands. “And what about you? You’ve got the nerve to question me? Yedda said, “Rachel, you’re misunderstanding Andrew. Tracy wasn’t feeling well, so he came along because he was worried about us.” Rachel sneered, “Does it make a difference? Yedda, we’re both women. I know exactly what you’re up to. Save your act for someone who might buy it—there’s no need to waste it on me.”
Andrew demanded, “What gives you the right to criticize Yedda? At least she’s doing it for Tracy. And you? You’re out here on a date with some random guy–where’s Jennie?”
Rachel shot back, “So Im on a date? Then what about you and Yedda–what’s your excuse?”
Tracy suddenly joined the conversation. “Mommy, who’s this wicked lady? She’s so scary. Daddy, let’s not talk to her anymore.”
“Daddy Rachel asked Tracy, raising an eyebrow, “Did you just call him Daddy?”
Yep. Daddy and Mommy are a couple, so we’re obviously a family. You’re evil. I don’t like you.” Tracy glared at Rachel angrily as if Rachel were the one trying to break up her family
Rachel couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Oh, Tracy, Fin legally married to your Daddy. Your Mommy is the outsider, a homewrecker. And luule ones shouldn’t tell lies, okay?”
Tracy shouted, “You’re lying My Mommy and Daddy are a couple. You’re the homewrecker.”
Rachel asked. “Oh, is that so? Then who that bearded man who celebrated your birthday with you when you were overseas!” Veddas face reddened and paled at those words. Even Tracy froze in shock.
Rachel pressed her advantage. “There’s only one Mommy and one Daddy in a family. So, if your Mommy isn’t a homewrecker, then what is the
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Chapter 21
Tracy’s young mind couldn’t grasp such complicated matters, leaving her head filled with questions. At that moment, she blinked her wide, innocent eyes and looked at Yedda.
Yedda felt both embarrassed and furious, unable to say anything for a long moment. She pinched Tracy hard when no one was looking Tracy’s face twisted in pain, and she burst into tears.
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