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 have cracked it

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

repeatedly, she grew increasingly convinced

childhood, waking up in an orphanage after a high

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

understood why

now, piecing everything together, the fear of fire made perfect sense if she

only assumptions and speculations without

then, there

feel Richie's deep longing

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

drifted, Isabel fell asleep, slipping into a

the dream, Leslie toddled over

name?" she asked, her wide

was the day they first met. Leslie didn't yet know

clutched the candy wrapper Leslie had just

is

soon as he spoke, Leslie's

you're our child. Your name will be Richard," they announced. "Okay." Richie

eyes at her parents. "Mom, Dad, does that mean he's part of our

always want a sibling and a playmate?" her mother replied

I wanted a younger brother, not an

darted back to Richie, and a mischievous glint

be your big sister, and you'll be my little brother. Got it?" she declared. Her parents couldn't help

much taller. Do you

course it is!

firm nod. She

swnevel

get

I'm your big

again, filling the room with warmth

murmured the name in her

who had just gotten out of bed and was buttoning

and wondered if he

"I'm hungry," Isabel mumbled.

yet

gaze

posy lips,

the morning

bobbed

They looked... delicious.