After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 228 A Kiss to Wake-Up

Richie's question left Isabel momentarily speechless.

"How should I put it? He's very nice to me."

"I can see that," Richie chimed in.

"But-" Isabel's brows furrowed even deeper. "Feelings aren't as simple as liking someone and being together because of it."

"So, you don't have that kind of feeling for him?" Richie asked.

Isabel raised a hand to scratch her neck awkwardly. "I think so? Or maybe... I just can't treat him the way he treats me."

The more Isabel spoke, the more unfair the whole situation seemed to Xander in her mind. It wasn't as if she wanted things to be this way. Just like she had said earlier-if someone liked her and treated her well, was she obligated to reciprocate? Did not returning his feelings make her a bad person?

That didn't make sense.

She wanted to stay true to her heart.

"If that's the case, why are you two still together? Haven't you already exacted your revenge?" Richie looked at her with genuine confusion.

Because of the emerald guardian angel pendant.

But that wasn't something Isabel planned to share with Richie.

"There's a promise between us. For now, I can't leave his side," she explained briefly, then swiftly changed the subject. "Let's get you lying down again. I wasn't done treating you earlier." "Alright." Richie nodded obediently.

That night, Isabel lay in bed, tossing and turning. The events of the day weighed heavily on her mind.

It wasn't until nearly midnight that Xander arrived, right on schedule.

As always, the moment he climbed into bed, he pulled her into his arms.

Isabel feigned deep sleep, staying perfectly still as she waited for him to fall asleep.

Listening closely to his even breathing against her face, she deduced he must be asleep.

To test it, she shifted slightly.

A minute passed and there was no reaction from Xander. He was truly asleep.

Carefully, Isabel slid her hand out, reached under his shirt, and retrieved the emerald guardian angel pendant.

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in her mind.

"Leslie, this is the treasure your parents left you. The password is your ...

The voice faded away again.

password is Leslie's

Her birthday?

not. If it were, I would

smooth surface. For a long time, she had

fragmented memories and dreams resurfaced repeatedly, she grew increasingly convinced

to her childhood, waking up in an orphanage after a high

vivid detail stood out. For a long time after waking up, she would tremble and cry

hadn't understood why

of fire made perfect sense if she

were only assumptions and

there was

Richie's deep longing for

being, so profound

her thoughts drifted, Isabel fell

toddled over to Richie with her

name?" she asked, her wide eyes full

first met.

wrapper Leslie had just given

name is

soon as he

adoption paperwork. From today onward, you're our child. Your name

blinked her large eyes at her parents. "Mom, Dad, does that mean he's part of our family

always want a sibling and a playmate?" her mother

a younger

to Richie, and a mischievous

so I get dibs. From now on, I'll be your big sister, and

and much taller. Do you really think

course it is! I think it's

a firm nod.

swnevel

get

your big

parents laughed again, filling the room

Isabel murmured the

just gotten out of bed and was

and wondered if he had

"I'm hungry," Isabel mumbled.

helpless yet

on Xander's face. His gaze drifted

lips,

in the

Adam's apple bobbed as

They looked... delicious.