Chapter 280

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Audrey

After a long flight, we finally touched down in Italy. The sunlight streaming in through the plane window was a promising golden hue, and just the sight of it made me feel like my heart was about to leap out of my chest.

“I might need a nap when we get to the villa,” Edwin yawned, shaking the bleariness from his eyes.

But I was too excited to feel tired, even with jet lag and having just spent hours sitting in a seat on a plane.

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Once we picked up our bags, we piled into a van that Edwin had rented for us. He kept smiling over at me, and I had no doubt that he had quite the surprise lined up. It had been a full year since he had booked this trip, after all, and he still hadn’t told me anything about the rental.

When we pulled up to the villa, my mouth dropped open, and so did everyone else’s. The place was massive, stretching out across the beachside with white stone arches, sprawling balconies, and sun–drenched terraces. It felt like something out of a dream, and I could hardly believe that it was real.

Peter was the first to speak. “Holy Goddess–Edwin, what did you do?”

Edwin shrugged, feigning nonchalance, but there was no missing the glimmer in his eyes. “I had to do it. For all of you.”

Tina gave him a playful jab in the ribs. “He really is a big softie after all, isn’t he?”

As if on cue, everyone scattered, rushing to explore every nook and cranny. I could hear Tina’s laughter as she ran up to the second floor to claim a room, and Peter’s exclamation from somewhere down the hall as he discovered the pool table.

My heart raced as I wandered through the villa, my fingers brushing along the cool stone walls. Every room I passed was more extravagant than the last. There was a grand living space with plush sofas, a sparkling hot tub outside with a view of the ocean, and bathrooms with tubs that were practically big enough to swim in.

“This is… magical,” I breathed as Edwin came up beside me, slipping his arm around my shoulders.

He chuckled softly. “You deserve a little magic, don’t you think?”

his cheek. “You didn’t have to go

more than worth it

the town. Sunlight gleamed off the ancient stone buildings, and there was the faint, mouthwatering scent of baked bread and fresh tomatoes wafting

tourist spot we could fit into that first day–sprawling beaches, towering cathedrals, and cozy gelato shops

the water. The conversation flowed, and

charity’s been amazing,” I said, feeling a little shy under their attentiIt’s grown faster than I ever thought it would. We’re helping so many people, and… I couldn’t have done

Audrey. And speaking of which…” She exchanged a look with Gavin, her face lighting up. “We’ve decided to start

cheers and congratulations went up from the table, and I could

hand.

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Chapter 280

two are going to be amazing parents,” I said,

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blushed. “Let’s hope so. I’ll need all the advice I can get

beside her. “I’m now officially the head of Crescent Orphan Services. Overseeing the orphanages and foster homes has been incredible, and having Joseph with me… It’s made it all the more

at the sound of his name, smiling shyly as

lives,” I said to Eliza. “Those kids

cheeks

has been amazing, too–she’s basically become my second mom, and she’s gotten back into designing again,

mother,

mother blushed. “I have so many daughters in this group… it feels like such a blessing,” she said

year now, keeping her company and helping her out. It was nice to see my mom have company after everything that had happened with Fiona, and Tina definitely needed a proper family experience. We all spent many nights

her shoulders, looking down at her with a glint in his

followed, and I felt a rush of happiness for my friends. Seeing everyone so settled, so fulfilled–it was all I’d ever

I teased Edwin, nudging him with my shoulder. “Anything

nearly as intense as before. And…” He hesitated, glancing around

“Maybe the Brooks family isn’t completely lost

soft murmur of approval went around the group at that, and I squeezed Edwin’s hand beneath the table. I’d been by

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