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.

is Leslie's

Her birthday?

I would

pendant's smooth surface. For a long

dreams resurfaced repeatedly, she grew increasingly convinced

to her childhood, waking up in an orphanage after a

out. For a long time after waking up, she would tremble and cry whenever she

understood why

fear of fire made perfect sense if she really were

assumptions and speculations without

then, there

could feel Richie's deep longing

was a devotion etched into his very being, so profound that it made her

her thoughts drifted, Isabel fell

dream, Leslie toddled over to Richie

her wide eyes

met. Leslie didn't yet

just given him,

is Richie," he

soon as he spoke, Leslie's

child. Your name will

at her parents. "Mom, Dad, does that mean

sibling and a playmate?" her

I wanted a younger brother,

to Richie, and a

I get dibs. From now on, I'll be your big sister, and you'll be my little

several years and much taller. Do

it is!

nod. She ruffled chie's hair

swnevel

get

I'm your big

filling the room with warmth and

the

bed and was buttoning

stared at Isabel and wondered

"I'm hungry," Isabel mumbled.

helpless yet affectionate

on Xander's face. His gaze drifted downward, landing on

lips,

the

bobbed as he

They looked... delicious.