Chapter 15
The words that linger in my mind are the simplest of promises.”
“Isabella, we’ll never have a seven–year itch.“}
“Isabella, we’ll never break up.“}
In that moment when vows are made, everyone believes them wholeheartedly. Yet, when those vows are broken, it seems impossible that anyone could have ever believed in them. But I choose to believe in Lucian. Actually, I believe in myself. I believe I’m worthy of love, that there’s always a chance that true love won’t be let down.
On the day Lucian and I got engaged, a package arrived from Dunway. It was the wedding dress I had once bought. Dorian had found someone to restore it. Inside the box, there was also a card. The handwriting was Dorian’s. He wrote, “Bella, I’ll always be waiting for you.” Lucian, standing beside me, saw the card too. He laughed confidently, planting a firm kiss on my cheek, “Too bad for him, I won’t give him a chance.“}}
But that very night, the wedding dress disappeared without a trace. And I, long past caring about such trivial matters, thought nothing of it.E
In the third year of our marriage, Lucian and I welcomed our daughter, Anabella Kingsley. Shortly after her birth, Dorian sent numerous extravagant gifts. I sought Lucian’s opinion. He remained confident, yet a bit ungenerous. “Our daughter doesn’t need these. Let’s donate them to a charity.”}
“Really, what is he thinking, an old bachelor with no wife or kids, fixating on someone else’s family?“}
I couldn’t help but smile, “Why worry about other people’s business?“}
Lucian, for some reason, was delighted. In front of the entire household staff, he lifted me up and spun us around. “Bella, what you just said was music to my ears. Say it again, will you?“>
“What did I say? Hey, put me down, I’m getting dizzy.“}
But Lucian didn’t let go. Instead, he sat down with me in his arms, kissing me repeatedly, “That part about other’s business.”}
I found it amusing, yet there was a twinge of unexplainable heartache.
A close friend once whispered to me that my two years after college were Lucian’s hardest. But he never spoke of it to me. He never showed the slightest hint of negativity in my presence.}
“Why worry about other people’s business? Living our own life well is what truly matters.” Saying what he wanted to hear, I wrapped my arms around his neck. I kissed his slightly flushed ear and whispered softly, “Honey, our daughter is two months old now, let’s get some early rest tonight.“}
Side story:
When Isabella’s daughter turned three, their little family visited Dunway for a few months. We share many mutual friends who gathered almost daily. Naturally, I didn’t attend. But after every gathering, I couldn’t help but ask about her. They said Isabella went back to school in Ravon for two years after the wedding. Lucian tirelessly traveled between Lindor and Ravon during that time, never complaining.
Later, Isabella returned to Lindor to start her own magazine, taking on the role of editor–in–chief. Lucian supported her every decision and choice unconditionally. Though he wasn’t thrilled about her frequent late nights at work. She could easily live the life of a pampered housewife, but she chose not to. She became more beautiful, yet her beauty was more than skin deep.
