The car stopped at a large countryside estate in the suburbs.
The estate occupied the entire hillside. It wasn’t ostentatious, but rather like a paradise on earth.
Various flowers and plants were everywhere, giving it a pastoral style. Each courtyard appeared unique and charming, each with its own different style.
Breezy paths lead to a secluded spot, where the flowers and trees deepen. The mountain light pleases the birds, and the reflections on the pond calm the heart.
This is the kind of ambiance it describes.
At the entrance, Ian Lynch and Willow Sterling were waiting.
Getting out of the car, a servant took Zane Sterling’s keys and drove the car away.
"Willow, brother-in-law." Sophia Lowell smiled as if nothing had happened today.
Zane Sterling had a mont of confusion; had she really forgiven him?
Would he be rejected tonight if he teased her?
He frowned, showing no emotion.
After a few pleasantries, they went inside.
They walked on the stone-paved path, surrounded by an orderly array of flowers and plants.
Sophia learned from Willow that this wasn’t Lynch Family territory, it was Ian’s grandfather’s estate.
Ian’s grandfather had two daughters and no sons. Every year on the second day of the New Year, Ian would co with his mother to visit his grandfather’s house. The second day was also the liveliest day at his grandfather’s.
This was Zane’s first visit.
Through the dense flowerbeds, they reached a courtyard surrounded by short bamboo fences, with roses climbing around them.
Inside was a place for gathering around a stove to brew tea, where many people were already chatting.
When Zane and the others walked in, several people stood up to greet each other.
Here, Sophia noticed a blonde woman. The woman had her hair tied up elegantly and wore a dignified light green wool coat, giving a feeling of familiarity.
Sowhat resembling Autumn Lowell—
Indeed.
She had so answers in her heart, but wasn’t certain.
Ian and Willow called her: Mom.
"Are you Sophia?" Yana Lowell avoided the others and walked towards Sophia, her smile reaching her eyes.
"..." Sophia was stunned for a mont, forgetting how to address her, "Hello."
"Co with ; I’ll take you to et soone." With that, Yana took her hand.
Sophia was slightly flustered, glancing sideways at Zane.
What did this an?
Zane nodded at her, signaling for her to follow.
Only then did she nervously follow Yana.
After Sophia left.
"When did she return?" Zane asked as Ian was about to sit down and roast sweet potatoes.
He sat down too, while Willow leisurely brewed tea for them.
"The night Nancy Sawyer’s incident happened, Grandpa went abroad overnight to bring her back, everything went smoothly." Ian referred to his aunt, Autumn Lowell, Sophia’s mother.
She had returned, and Zeke Lowell had brought her back.
Zeke once thought she was no longer alive, until Ian sent them a photo of Sophia, tracing back from the location Zane provided.
When they found Autumn, she still thought her family blad her. Over the years, she occasionally returned to secretly visit, but always avoided eting them.
She didn’t know that the Lowell Family had gone mad searching for her, and her mother passed away the second year after she left.
They had been inside for more than half an hour.
Zane occasionally glanced in the direction she left, strangely, missing her after just half an hour.
He touched his nose, feeling a sense of longing.
When Sophia ca out, it had already been an hour.
They gathered in a villa courtyard, dining in the first-floor hall, where there was a large round table several ters in diater. Everyone sat down, and the maids began serving the dishes.
Soone they hadn’t seen for a long ti walked out with Autumn Lowell.
Zane had specially saved her a seat.
Sophia chatted with Autumn and then exchanged a few words with Zeke, before sitting down together with them.
She sat next to Zeke, lifting her gaze, looking for her man, while his eyes were always on her.
"Co over here." Sophia mouthed without a sound, pointing to the seat beside her.
Zane smiled, got up, and walked over, sitting between Zeke and Sophia.
He first greeted Zeke and Autumn, "Grandpa, Mom, Happy New Year."
Zeke’s usually stern face showed a rare smile of relief, "Don’t leave so soon tonight, have a couple more drinks, I must thank you properly."
Thank you for marrying Sophia, or else this reunion would have been far off.
"I shall obey." Zane smiled.
Autumn’s smile was bright, and she nodded.
The night was long and fulfilling.
They stayed overnight at the estate, the Lowell Family had prepared guest rooms for them early on.
Sophia finally had a complete belonging, lying on the bed, looking at the ceiling, excitent in her heart making it hard to sleep.
Zane hadn’t returned yet, Zeke stayed, a group of n downstairs talking through the night.
Everyone was drunk, unprecedented joy extending into the early hours.
By the ti he returned, Sophia was already asleep.
A knock on the door awakened Sophia. She glanced at her phone; it was past three.
She hurried to get up, going barefoot to open the door.
Ian and Zane stood outside, supporting each other, as Sophia adjusted her clothes and went forward to help the intoxicated Zane.
He was a ss, drinking this much for the first ti.
"Thanks, little cousin." Ian smiled and carefully let go.
Sophia, supporting Zane, gave Ian a look, "Can you manage by yourself?"
"It’s just a few steps. No problem, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
After bidding farewell, Sophia helped Zane into the room, closing the door, settling him onto the bed.
He lay sprawled on the soft bed, his tall fra creating a small dip.
He tugged on his clothes, clumsily undoing his belt.
"Sophia—"
With eyes closed, he groggily called her na.
After settling him down, a maid brought in so hangover soup. Sophia went to fetch it, and upon returning, saw he was already bare.
Only his boxers left.
Laying in bed, the silk quilt covering the important parts, his sturdy body exposed.
He knew how to present himself well.
Sophia blushed, placing the hangover soup on the bedside table.
"Do you still know who I am?" she asked playfully, lying beside him, her slender fingers brushing over his prominent Adam’s apple.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he was parched. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
"Don’t tease , wife."
His hoarse, deep voice ca from his dry throat, a large hand unknowingly had wrapped around her waist, gently.
Sophia chuckled, leaning in to peck the corner of his mouth, "So, should I take care of you tonight?"
"Okay."
He seed enchanted, agreeing without a second thought.
"Can you get up?" Sophia asked.
"I don’t know." His deep eyes darkened, "You try..."
His voice was broken, tinged with enchantnt.
Sophia withdrew her hand, lightly patting his cheek, both embarrassed and annoyed.
"I ant, can you get up to drink the hangover soup, what are you thinking!"
Zane hugged her, laughing endlessly.
"You dog of a man, a beast in a suit!" she murmured angrily, her small fist softly hitting his sturdy chest.
Zane held her hand, not letting her hit him, instead placing it on his cheek, letting her caress it.
"About Beau Morgan, I’m sorry, I should have trusted you, and you trust , please don’t always be so strong alone, let protect you, okay?" he sincerely apologized, like a child seeking forgiveness.
He drank a lot tonight, his mind filled with thoughts, all about her.
Sophia pinched his cheek, "Okay."
"Have you forgiven ?"
"If you get up to drink the hangover soup, I’ll forgive you."
"Okay." he imdiately propped himself up, leaning against the headboard, and downed the hangover soup in one go.
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