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?

it were, I would have cracked it

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

dreams resurfaced repeatedly, she grew increasingly convinced

waking up in an orphanage after a high

waking up,

hadn't understood

together, the fear of fire made perfect sense if she

were only assumptions

there

feel Richie's deep

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

Isabel fell asleep, slipping

over to Richie

her wide

they first met.

wrapper Leslie had just given him, unwilling to throw it

name is

as he

our child. Your name

"Mom, Dad,

a

I wanted a younger brother,

Richie, and a mischievous glint appeared in

to this family first, so I get dibs. From now on, I'll be your big sister, and you'll be my little brother. Got it?" she declared. Her

several years and much taller.

course it is! I think

firm nod. She ruffled

swnevel

get

your big

filling the room with warmth

Isabel murmured the name

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

Isabel and wondered if he

"I'm hungry," Isabel mumbled.

yet affectionate

His gaze drifted

posy lips,

the

apple bobbed as

They looked... delicious.