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

Her birthday?

I would have cracked

pendant's smooth surface. For a long time, she had been haunted by a single

repeatedly, she grew increasingly convinced that she might be

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

stood out. For a long time after waking up,

hadn't understood why

now, piecing everything together, the fear of fire made perfect

these were only assumptions

then, there

Richie's deep longing

was a devotion etched into his very being, so profound

thoughts drifted, Isabel fell asleep, slipping into a

Leslie toddled over to Richie with her

she asked, her wide eyes full

they first met. Leslie didn't yet know

candy wrapper Leslie had just given him,

name is Richie," he

he spoke, Leslie's

we've completed the adoption paperwork. From today onward, you're our child.

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

want a sibling and a playmate?" her

wanted a younger brother,

and a

to this family first, so I get dibs. From now on, I'll be your big sister, and you'll be my little brother.

years and much taller. Do

it is!

replied with a firm nod. She

swnevel

get

your big

filling the room with warmth and

Isabel murmured the name in

bed and

wondered if he had

"I'm hungry," Isabel mumbled.

yet

gaze

posy lips, which

the morning

Adam's apple bobbed as

They looked... delicious.