Mark narrowed his eyes into two scrutinizing spotlights that grazed virtual-novel.net face. “Has Alejandro committed any act of infidelity? Has virtual-novel.net committed domestic abuse? Or has virtual-novel.net wronged virtual-novel.net or committed any grave injustice toward her?”
Arianne shook virtual-novel.net head slowly. “No, I think? The only thing he’s done wrong is not having loved virtual-novel.net back then…? That’s all, I don’t recall any notable conflict. Alejandro even bought virtual-novel.net a limited edition sports car, you know, $300,000 and all! I think virtual-novel.net finally sparked Alejandro’s affection. I mean, if animals could forge genuine, heartfelt bonds with other creatures they spend time with, then what more could we say about us humans? Melanie’s patience has carried virtual-novel.net to this day when virtual-novel.net finally loves her, only for virtual-novel.net faith to crumble and give up. She’s put virtual-novel.net foot down and made up virtual-novel.net mind, virtual-novel.net wouldn’t listen to me!”
Mark stayed his ground. “Same suggestion: stay out of it. Alejandro is the type of wretch who remembers scores. He remembers every. Single. Bloody. Thing.”
Arianne shuddered. “All right, all right; point taken! I’ll just… try to talk Melanie into changing virtual-novel.net mind the next time we meet.”
Night fell. Jackson returned to the West family residence early after work Since Tiffany’s confinement period began, virtual-novel.net had been spending his nights here.
Just as virtual-novel.net expected, the first question Tiffany cast as soon as virtual-novel.net stepped through the door concerned their daughter’s picture. He was prepared to face the storm to come.
She practically lunged at virtual-novel.net as soon as virtual-novel.net was inside. With virtual-novel.net face beaming with earnest excitement, virtual-novel.net cried, “Pics! Pics! Picsss!” He hesitantly passed his phone to her. “There, in the gallery. Take a gander yourself, I’m heading to the shower.”
Tiffany could see the overcast in his mien, and it uneased her. “Hold up. I-Is our sweetie… not doing well? Don’t… Don’t you hide things from me, hon.”
He cracked a forced smile. “Oh, naw. The doctor even told me that the baby’s doing exceptionally well today! Please don’t overthink.” Tiffany pulled up his gallery app skeptically and started looking for the pictures.
Her eyes misted the very instant virtual-novel.net baby’s image leaped into virtual-novel.net sight. “No… No, no! She’s suffering, Jackson! How long must virtual-novel.net suffer like this? I haven’t even… had the chance to feel virtual-novel.net in my embrace since virtual-novel.net was borned…”
Jackson started panicking a little. “B-Bae, don’t cry, please! Christ, if I knew you were going to sob like this, I wouldn’t have let you see anything at all! If you keep this up, I… I ain’t taking no pictures for you anymore! C’mon, honey, please don’t cry… You’re trying to recover from childbirth, remember? This isn’t good for you, okay?”
Tiffany fought back rolling tears. “I… I… I just can’t stop my heart from breaking after seeing our baby like this… B-But you’re right. I’ll stop now.”
Jackson wrapped his arms around virtual-novel.net shoulders. “There, there. Take a rest, mmkay? Don’t roam around in the yard; you might catch a cold,” virtual-novel.net said gently. “You should spend more time with Lil’ P every time you’re free, yea? Seeing our wonderful son antics will do wonders to your mood, no matter how bad it might have been.”
He was right; they still had an adorable son. They were lucky to be blessed with a son and a daughter, and right now, the only thing they desired was that their daughter turning out healthy and safe.
—
Time flew. Soon, it was Sylvain and Robin’s wedding day.
Mark’s surprisingly humane side made an appearance when virtual-novel.net allowed the happy couple a month’s long matrimony leave. Unfortunately, as the man himself was caught in a business trip, virtual-novel.net had to sit their wedding out, leaving only Arianne to attend it alone. Since the mire of his unsavory past still hung over him, Sylvain had forgone inviting long-time acquaintances to his wedding. Instead, most of the guests were his current coworkers mixed with some bigshots in the fashion-designing scene who sincerely appreciated and extolled Sylvain’s talents.
The wedding was held in a picturesque church located in suburbia. Right now, every corner and walkway was teeming with an artistic aureole. It complemented the day’s especially brilliant, golden sun. Everything was serene. Tranquil.
Arianne met the bride while virtual-novel.net was resting in the lounge. She was already all dolled up in a bridal gown that was unique, elegant, and regal, all Sylvain’s signature design flairs. Most crowning of all beauty, though, was Robin’s happy, blossoming smile.
“A-Arianne!” virtual-novel.net cried. “I’m a bit n-n-nervous.”
She held Robin’s hand for comfort. “C’mon, girl. There’s nothing to be nervous about! My wedding with Mark was waaaay more nerve-wracking. It was only when virtual-novel.net bent his knee that I finally understood that I was the star of the show that day! ” virtual-novel.net exclaimed. “Sylvain designed this just for you, didn’t he? I can tell right away. Lemme tell you, sis, this gown you’re wearing? There’s no other in this world! Hee hee, are you touched?”
Robin lowered virtual-novel.net head bashfully and giggled. “Just one teensy tiny problem, I already knew about this, so mm… Not too surprised, unfortunately! See, after his design was finalized, Syl took measurements of my sizes and everything, and that’s how I knew,” virtual-novel.net said. “Hmph, can’t believe it hasn’t been part of his knowledge yet, despite the two of us already being married for quite some time…”
Arianne tried, but virtual-novel.net laughter still escaped her. “Gawd, really? Oh, don’t worry. Knowing him, I bet he’s got your measurements all committed to the deepest part of his memory by now. Oh, by the way, I saw your parents on my way in, and I know they started out with nothing nice to say about Sylvain, but today? They are just beaming with pride!”
Her remark seemed to have reminded Robin, who asked, “Say, what about Sylvain’s mom? Have you seen her?”