A Second Chance at Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)

Beth settled into her chair, relief washing over her after standing on stage for so long. Just then, Nina bounded over with a plate of frosted cupcakes, her smile as bright as the treats themselves. "Dollface, you must be famished after that performance. Have a cupcake."

Beth was a pretty little girl, with her golden locks, sky-blue eyes, and a complexion as fair as fresh snow. Her high-bridged nose and those deep blue orbs were like a tranquil lake capable of capturing the entire night sky.

To Nina, Beth was nothing short of a living doll, and she secretly wished she could be as slender and pretty. But Nina had been indulged by her aunt and uncle to the point of chubbiness. Now at twelve, with no sign of a growth spurt, she feared she might always be on the plump side.

With this thought, the allure of the cupcakes vanished. Nina pushed the whole plate towards Beth. "I'm starting my diet now. You can finish them off for me."

Beth offered a polite but hesitant smile, accepting the treats. "Nina, you're not fat at all, you're absolutely adorable."

Nina grinned, "Adorable is just a nice way of saying chubby..."

she quickly excused herself, "Sorry, I didn't mean that

likely because she had learned, at a tender age, how to appease others with her words and felt an immediate fear and guilt if she failed

her shoulder reassuringly. "I'm just teasing you. You could even call me

apologetic, and Nina, hoping to brighten her mood, decided to fetch a sparkler. Before standing up, she called out to her uncle, "Uncle Bernard, I'm

hand on his chest. "Nina knows how to stay put. You, on

her as if she were simple-minded and quickly looked away, leaving Beth feeling awkward and unsure. She had done nothing but be polite, so why did it seem like the children

fidgeted with her dress sleeve while stealing glances at Damian. He seemed like a sculpture of ice to her, exuding a presence more intimidating than hers, despite being three years her junior. His silence only added to his aura of indifference, leaving Beth to wonder what sort of person he would grow

and icily met her eyes. "Keep staring and I'll pluck out your

she quickly looked away. Seeing her shake with fear, Damian let out a cold

with the sparkler, the wedding had come to an end. Peterson led Starry down from

didn't dare to look at Damian again, but Nina rushed forward, handing her the