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?

If it were, I

fingers over the pendant's smooth surface. For a long time, she had

repeatedly, she grew increasingly convinced that she might be

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

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

hadn't understood

the fear of fire made

these were only assumptions and speculations without solid

there

could feel Richie's

into his very being, so profound that

Isabel fell

dream, Leslie toddled over to Richie

your name?" she asked, her wide eyes full

they first met. Leslie didn't yet know

the candy wrapper Leslie had just given him, unwilling to throw it

name is

soon as he spoke, Leslie's parents

the adoption paperwork. From today onward, you're our child. Your name will be Richard," they

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

sibling and a playmate?" her mother

pouted. "But I wanted a younger

to Richie, and

came 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

older than you by several years and much taller. Do

it is! I

nod. She ruffled chie's hair

swnevel

get

I'm your big sister

laughed again, filling the room with warmth

the

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

at Isabel and wondered

"I'm hungry," Isabel mumbled.

helpless yet

His gaze drifted

lips, which

the

apple bobbed

They looked... delicious.