When Love Breaks by Jack

“Don’t worry about it now.”

Glancing at the clock, Bella boasted with pride: “Time to get ready. Tonight, my darling daughter will be the belle of the ball.”

The celebration was set in a six-star hotel in Vista Town.

The ballroom was lavish and spacious, glittering with lights, a high-class affair indeed, attended by the who’s who of society.

By this time, guests had begun to arrive, entering in small groups with their invitations in hand.

Just as we reached the entrance of the ballroom, Gregory called to say he was on his way.

I hung up with a laugh, and Bella, seeing right through me, teased, “My future son-in-law is done with work?”

“Mom!” I blushed, protesting, “You just said you needed to vet him more.”

Bella chuckled softly. “With how pleased you are, what’s there to vet? I trust your choice. I believe the man you bring home is one in a million.”

“Bella, one in a million? Future son-in-law?” Suddenly, a crisp voice came from behind.

Turning around, I saw Edith, arm in arm with Herbert, and holding Ike’s hand, coming from the direction of the elevator. They made a striking pair, hard to believe they were a divorced couple.

Seeing Herbert arrive with Edith caught Bella by surprise. Before she could speak, Ike rushed towards me, exclaiming, “Auntie, I’ve missed you!”

“There, there.”

and a one-shoulder neckline that bloomed like a flower, adorned with

reserved and impeccably dressed in a suit, seemed a bit

came uninvited, but there are

is under my charge now. I can take care of you!” Touched by his declaration, knowing this man was my uncle and the woman beside me was my

retorted, “Back when you

burst into laughter, almost choking on

slightly, not embarrassed by the mention of his past, but instead looked earnestly at Bella, “Are you still mad

our gaze back to Herbert, I smiled. “Uncle, mom has never been mad

aback, “What did

expression, Edith couldn’t help but laugh again, “Let’s

wished to network with Bella hesitated upon seeing Herbert, a figure of authority, and did not dare to interrupt. We headed straight to

and Bella’s

head of the Taylor family, was overwhelmed with emotion and handed me a black card, “I didn’t prepare a welcome gift for you; feel free to use this card

card,

bit old-fashioned… he sure knows how to give a gift. This black card alone could easily cover a luxury villa

you thanking me

throat, his voice firm, “The Taylor family was always meant to include your

in the lounge was

clear that Herbert and Bella had a strong bond; as they opened up, any sense of distance

“Knock, knock-“