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

smooth surface. For

fragmented memories and dreams resurfaced repeatedly, she grew increasingly convinced

an orphanage after a high fever wiped

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

hadn't understood why back

fear of fire made perfect sense if she really were

assumptions and

there was

could feel Richie's

etched into his very being, so profound that it made her heart

drifted, Isabel fell

over to Richie

asked, her wide eyes

they first met.

just given him, unwilling to throw

is

soon as he

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

parents. "Mom, Dad, does that mean he's part

and a

"But I wanted a younger

eyes darted back to Richie, and a mischievous glint

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

several years and much taller. Do you

it is! I think

replied with a firm nod. She ruffled chie's

swnevel

get

your

the room with

the

who had just gotten out of bed and was buttoning his shirt, paused when

Isabel and wondered if he had

"I'm hungry," Isabel mumbled.

helpless yet affectionate

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

posy lips,

in the morning

apple bobbed as

They looked... delicious.