I stared at her with a blank expression. “Aunt Sally, Anthony may not agree to this. We’re not young anymore. Moreover, we already have Summer.”
She shook her head and continued to convince me, “This isn’t about age. Look at me. If it can happen to me, you can handle it too. The Featherstones are a big family, running multiple corporations. It’d be a plus point to have more children around to add cheers to your days, accompany you when you travel, and also to help out in the family business.”
I picked up the main point in her speech. “Aunt Sally, are you pregnant?”
She said admittedly, “Yes, I’m three months pregnant. It’s not quite stable yet. Jim and I are planning for the wedding, but we dare not break the news to Anthony. Hence, the delay.”
I recalled Anthony expressing his disapproval of the union between Sally and Jim. The main reason being Jim related to the Murphy family, and Anthony is wary of them.
I asked Sally earnestly, “Aunt Sally, do you know that Uncle Jim is one of the Murphys?”
Maintaining her composure, she answered, “Yes, I know. I’m also aware of the conflicts between Anthony and Armond. However, these are their battles in the corporate world. Your Uncle Jim hasn’t been involved in the business for some time now. He’s just an old professor, leading a simple life. He’s been a lone wolf all these years. Having known me now, we just want to continue living our days happily. Letty, please find time to talk to Anthony and advise him to consider my situation. I’m no longer young, so it’s not easy to have finally met a man I can depend on for the rest of my life.”
Putting myself in Sally’s shoes, I could empathize with her. I just didn’t know how to bring this up to Anthony. With Armond being sentenced to jail, there was a need for a new successor to manage the family matters. Thus, we couldn’t guarantee that there would be no further conflict between the Murphys and the Featherstones. At this point, the future remained uncertain.
Two hours had passed when Anthony and Jim ended their coffee session. They seemed to have enjoyed themselves.
Jim then suggested, “We’d love to dine out with you this evening if you don’t already have a prior engagement.”
After some small talks, we bid them goodbye.
As we exited their condominium, I grabbed Anthony by the hand and asked inquisitively, “What did you talk about with Uncle Jim just now?”
He flipped my hand around and squeezed it into his. “We chatted about the Murphys. I passed the contract to him to hand it over to Mr. Muphy. Then, we also concluded his marriage with Aunt Sally.”
The news was a bolt from the blue. Rejoicing, I held on to his arms tightly. “Really? You’re amazing, Anthony. In this case, Featherstone Corporation won’t be implicated in Armond’s crime, and neither will this affect Aunt Sally and Uncle Jim.
“Oh, by the way, Aunt Sally is three months pregnant. Help them out wherever you can. She also suggested for all of us to return to J City along with Uncle Charlie and Aunt Helen during the new year.”
He nodded and planted a kiss on my forehead. “Why are you beaming with joy when Aunt Sally and Jim are the ones getting married? Silly girl!”
I chuckled loudly. “I don’t know why, either. I just feel over the moon. Aunt Sally has been living all by herself over the years. Now that she’s met her Mr. Right, it’s something worth celebrating. In addition, she’s got a baby. These are all wonderful news.”
Anthony let out a thin smile and looked at me. “Do you want another child?”
His question startled me, then I parroted him, “Can we have another child?”
He smirked. “As long as you want one, we’ll have it at all cost, regardless of the method. Sienna, it’s been a roller coaster ride for us to be where we are now with each other. Have no regrets. Whatever you want to do, just tell me, and I’ll do my very best to make it happen, okay?”
A warm, fuzzy feeling evoked in me as soon as he said that.
I thought about what Sally said and elicited his response, “Anthony, Aunt Sally suggests for us to try in vitro fertilization. You…”
He nodded and agreed immediately as if he was expecting this. “I’ll contact a well-known expert in the country and consult him about this. Just leave this to me.”
I thought he would turn down the idea, but he agreed right away, which made me quite astounded.
My phone rang that instant; it was Nora. Her voice was low, and she sounded dejected. After a long pause, she said, “Sienna, I’m leaving for A City today. I wanted to leave quietly but decided to give you a call in the end. I’m still wearing the bracelet. About the child, I regret it so much, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I once felt that as long as I kept deceiving myself with positive thoughts, you wouldn’t be mad at me. However, I realized that I was wrong. I’m defeated by my guilty conscience. I don’t have that peace within me. So, I called to apologize. I’m sorry, and I know that my words mean nothing to you, but I must do it in order to get through this ordeal. I also want to plead on Armond’s behalf, so please have mercy on him, if possible.”
Clenching on my phone, I could not help but feel miserable for her. I was lost for words. Moments later, I asked, “Where are you right now?”
“Airport.”
I glanced over at Anthony, who simultaneously switched directions and headed to the airport.
Then, I said over the phone, “Nora, it’s all in the past. We’ll all be fine. I know what to do about Armond. Please wait for us at the airport. We’re on our way to send you off.”
I hung up while Anthony sped off.
When we arrived, I saw Nora with her suitcase. Only those who were very familiar with her could recognize her at one glance since she had a mask on.
I approached her and gave her a bear hug. “Do think of me when you’re back in A City. Take care!”
Burying her head in my neck, she nodded. “You arrived in a flash! Initially, I just wanted to bid farewell over the phone. I didn’t mean for you to come all the way to the airport.”
“I know, but we’re just nearby. So, we came. Do you have any future plans in mind?”
Her first experience in love cuts her the deepest. It will probably take a long time for her wounds to heal properly.
She shrugged her shoulders and said casually, “Not really, but I intend to go to Lightspring. My Grandpa has given me a large sum of money, so I want to open an inn over there. I’ll bring my Grandpa along, make a big yard for him to cultivate plants and crops, and accompany him every day.”
I was a bit green with envy of the life she described. “Hmm… That sounds like an ideal life. Anthony and I will visit you when we’re free.”
We chatted for a while more before it was time for her to board the flight. Before she left, I took a deep breath when I hugged her for the last time.
Life was, indeed, full of ups and downs.
It was already quite late in the evening when we stepped foot into K University. Since Anthony and I did not have a specific itinerary, we headed straight to the library.
Though it was not very crowded, our appearance seemed to have caught everyone’s attention. Anthony was a man of few words, so he quickly found a place and sat down quietly.
Meanwhile, I was searching high and low for some books on the shelves but to no avail. It was my first time here, and I was not very familiar with how the resources were arranged.
Right then, a handsome young man who looked around twenty years old approached me.
He smiled brightly at me, and I subconsciously responded with a gentle grin.
“Are you looking for something?” he asked.
I nodded. “I was looking for some materials for legal research, but my effort was in vain.” It’s probably because I’m not familiar with this library.
He looked at me and explained gently, “Most of the books here are scattered. There are more professional resources in the reading room next door. You don’t seem to know this place well. If you don’t mind, may I show you around? Maybe I can help you find the books that you’re looking for.”
I thanked him with a nod and a smile, “That would be wonderful!”
Just as he had described, I found the books I wanted in the reading room next door. When we were exiting, he asked, “You don’t look like you’re from this university. Are you here for an exam or a Ph.D. student?”
I chuckled. “I’m just here to borrow some books. You look really young. A junior?”
He nodded. “I’m going to be a senior soon. Can I have your phone number, please? You remind me of someone.”
Amused, I asked, “Is this a pick-up line used by young boys nowadays?”
He denied, “No, you really looked like the celebrity I had always liked a few years ago. You two are so alike. She’s seemingly quitted the entertainment world. I liked her very much, so when I first saw you, I thought you were her.”
As soon as he said that, I knew that he must have mistaken me for Nancy. Hence, I told him, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can give you my contact number.”
Confused, he asked, “Why?”
I pointed at Anthony, who was walking toward me, and laughed. “My husband doesn’t allow me to chat with strangers, let alone exchanging contacts. Hence, I’m sorry, but I can’t give you my number.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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