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?

I

the pendant's smooth surface. For

she grew

childhood, waking up in an orphanage after a high fever

detail stood out. For a long time after waking up, she

understood why

fear of fire

only assumptions and speculations

then, there was

could feel Richie's deep

etched into his very being, so

her thoughts drifted, Isabel fell asleep,

over to Richie with her tiny

your name?" she asked, her wide eyes full of

first met. Leslie

wrapper Leslie had just given him, unwilling to

name is Richie,"

soon as he

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

Dad, does that mean he's part of our family

want a sibling and a playmate?" her mother

"But I wanted a

and a mischievous

your big sister, and you'll be my little

than you by several years and much taller. Do you really

it is!

nod. She

swnevel

get

your big sister

filling the room with warmth and

the name in

had just gotten out of bed and

wondered

"I'm hungry," Isabel mumbled.

yet affectionate

face. His gaze drifted downward, landing

posy lips,

in the morning

apple bobbed as

They looked... delicious.