Star-crossed lovers really have it the worst! All these outside forces are forcing us apart but yet I canât bear to let her go!
Pushing aside his heartbreak, Evan squeezed out through gritted teeth, âLevant seems to love you very much. You should consider accepting him.â
Nicole was incredibly uncomfortable hearing those words coming from his mouth.
She snapped, âWhether I marry him or not is my business! What does that have to do with you?â
With that, she shot him one last glare before stalking toward the rear house.
Evan watched her storm off, his eyes reddening.
She said it was none of his business, yet her happiness was the most important thing to him right then. For the rest of his life, he would worry about whether she was happy or not.
How did we become like this? Howâ¦
âDaddy, have you finished the flower wreaths?â
Evan nodded and handed them to his daughters. They eagerly placed the wreaths on their heads, making them look like fairy princesses.
âLetâs show Mommy!â
âYeah! We have to show her how pretty we are!â
The two girls skipped to the rear house to look for Nicole.
âMommy, look! Arenât our wreaths pretty?â
âMommy, how do we look?â
As Nicole spotted the flower wreaths on their heads, several images flashed through her mind.
A young girl who was a little older than Nina and Maya was skipping along happily. On her head was a flower wreath similar to the one the girls were wearing now. The flower wreath had been given to her by a boy.
The images refused to leave her mind, making her believe it was real.
She suspected the little girl was her, but who was that boy?
Whoever it was, she was certain it was not Evan!
Perhaps itâs one of my relativesâ kids at the estate!
âYes, theyâre really beautiful.â
âMommy, why wonât you let Daddy make you one?â
Nicole sighed and replied, âItâs not like he truly wants to make it for me!â I couldnât care less about it anyway!
Evan, who had been standing nearby, heard her words and frowned.
What does she mean? If Iâm not truly making it for her then who does she think I am making it for?
Feeling envious, Nicole plucked Ninaâs wreath and placed it on her own head. However, it was too small so she returned it to the young girl.
Noting the crestfallen look on her face, Evan turned and headed for the front again.
It did not take him much effort to weave another flower wreath. He handed it to Nicole.
Nicole was stunned at the wreath being offered to her. It was obvious a lot more care had been put into making it compared to the ones Nina and Maya had.
âFor you!â
She shot him a suspicious look. âYouâre really giving this to me?â
âOf course!â
She stared at the beautiful flower wreath. Although she suspected he was still treating her as his ex-girlfriendâs replacement, her hand reached out to take it like she had been possessed.
Watching the delight that crossed her features, Evan smiled too.
Susan arrived just in time to see this touching scene. At first, she was surprised. When she realized what she was seeing, her fingers tightened into fists. She called out in an infinitely sweet voice, âEvan!â
Her shout effectively broke the intimate moment.
Nicoleâs heart thumped harder as she wondered what she was doing.
Evanâs smile seemed to have some sort of a devilish power, drawing her in. She also found it incredibly familiar, like she had seen it a long time ago.
Ugh, what happened to keeping your distance from him!
Susan made her way over to them, her curvaceous hips swaying alluringly as she walked. There was a warm smile on her face when she spoke, âI came to see the kids. I went to Imperial Garden but nobody was there. The maids told me you guys came here, so here I am! I even prepared some gifts for them. I wonder if theyâll like them?â
âThatâs very thoughtful of you, Susan.â
âEvan, weâre husband and wife. Thereâs no need to be so courteous with me.â
The mention of their marriage made Evan extremely uncomfortable.
Susan glanced over at Nicole before walking toward the rockery, a clear invitation for Nicole to follow her.
Susanâs eyes glimmered with tears as she surveyed the garden. Sighing mournfully, she stated, âEvanâs ex used to live here. Heâs probably back here to relive his memories.â