Alia Garcia drove to the riverside, concerned that Christopher Hart might co looking for her, so after parking the car, she went to the dock, bought a ferry ticket, and boarded the ferry.
In her mory, the last ti she took a ferry was back in junior high.
It was a weekend holiday, and a group of classmates had planned an outing, taking the bus and then a ferry to explore the streets and alleys of another district, playing until the evening lights just began to shine, and hurriedly catching the last ferry ho.
Back then, the young her had longed to grow up, believing that there were many things one could only do as an adult, deeply envious of the adults’ "freedom to do as they wished."
Only now did she realize how ignorant she was back then.
It turned out that being a child was the most carefree and joyous ti.
In the world of adults, there was nothing but responsibilities and obligations.
Once those burdens were lifted, the weights would only continue to increase, never to lighten again.
But once we grew up, there was no going back.
The river wind indeed gradually emptied her mind, and the worries seed to scatter in the wind, fluttering away.
Perhaps her professionally sophisticated attire was strikingly incongruous on the ferry, as people occasionally glanced at her, amazed by her beauty and elegance, then quietly looked away.
Alia Garcia was completely unaware, simply imrsing herself in the river wind, gazing blankly at the churning waves.
It was not until she disembarked that she felt a bit cold and involuntarily shivered.
The riverside was lined with skyscrapers and high-end departnt stores. Even on a weekday, the streets were crowded and bustling.
Taking advantage of a rare half day off, she casually strolled down Riverside Walk, impulsively paying for any clothes or shoes she liked.
————
An hour later, Christopher Hart arrived where his bodyguard was waiting.
Knowing the direction the woman had gone, he continued driving, simultaneously calling soone to check the location of Alia’s Audi.
Eventually, he learned that the car was parked by the river.
Finding her car and looking inside, unsurprisingly, no one was there.
The man stood by the riverside railing, watching the rolling river, took out his phone, and called again, but she still didn’t answer.
Sending ssages was like sending stones into the sea.
He wasn’t worried that she might do sothing desperate, considering she had three young children.
Moreover, the Alia Garcia he knew—whether the gentle and graceful one from the past or the independent and strong one from now—would not do such foolish things.
He was rely worried she might be in danger.
Although logically, Lily Garcia didn’t have the ans, there’s always a chance of unexpected events.
He had lost her once and could not bear to lose her again.
He checked his watch; the children would be getting out of school soon.
Not trusting his subordinates to pick them up, he decided to go himself first, and later, if she hadn’t returned, he would co looking for her.
He walked back to where his car was parked and made another call.
This ti, it was to Snow Fitch.
"What? She ran away?"
Snow Fitch was taken aback, then asked, "What did you do to upset her this ti, for her to run off like that?"
Christopher Hart didn’t want to explain everything, just instructed, "Contact her, ensure her safety. After I pick up the kids, I’ll go find her."
Seeing his genuine worry and anxiety, Snow Fitch didn’t dawdle further, simply responded, and hung up.
Alia Garcia, tired from her walk, had just found a cafe to sit down in when a ssage popped up on WhatsApp.
Snow: Where are you enjoying yourself?
Her lips slightly curved in a smile, she replied: Riverside Walk, having afternoon tea.
After replying, she also sent a beautiful selfie.
Snow Fitch imdiately called.
"You really have so nerve! Christopher Hart is searching the world for you, and here you are leisurely sipping afternoon tea. What, you don’t even care about the kids anymore?"
Alia Garcia took a bite of her croissant, and while chewing contentedly, she asked with a hint of surprise, "What, he even went to you to ask about it?"
"Yes... he found your car parked by the river but you were nowhere to be seen. He probably thought you might do sothing drastic, and then he rushed to pick up the kids from kindergarten. He had no choice but to call and ask to contact you."
Snow Fitch spoke nonchalantly and then seriously sighed, "The great Christopher Hart, now revolving around a woman and kids, I think it’s quite nice. Don’t you feel even a little bit moved?"
Alia laughed, "You’re the one who’s moved? Why don’t you marry him then? If you were Hope’s stepmom, I’d be completely reassured and would leave with Noah and Ethan right away."
"Get lost! Stop playing matchmaker." Miss Fitch cursed, then got back on track, "What did he do to upset you this much? Made you so mad you left ho and didn’t even care about the kids? You’re wandering by the river; please don’t do anything foolish!"
After a frenzied shopping spree of over two hours to vent her frustrations, and having filled her stomach, Alia Garcia’s mood finally improved a bit, and she could talk calmly about what happened in the morning.
At the end, she reflected calmly, "Actually, today’s incident isn’t really a big deal for . Over the years, raising two children alone, I’ve faced even tougher and more embarrassing tis..."
"Just that, since coming back to the country a few months ago, too many things have piled up together. Today, I indeed couldn’t handle it anymore... but it’s not to the point of despair. Life is so beautiful, and I have three lovely children to live for, how could I consider anything foolish."
Worried her friend might be concerned, she imdiately perked up after saying this, reassuring her, "Don’t worry, I just needed to get so fresh air. Once I’ve digested all this negative energy, I’ll be back to being the tough woman I am!"
Snow Fitch was indeed reassured, "It’s good that you’re okay. It’s actually nice to clear your head and go sowhere quiet sotis. You’ve already been doing a great job these years, don’t put more pressure on yourself."
"Yeah, I know."
"So, when are you going back?"
Alia checked the ti on her wristwatch, it was just four o’clock, and she pondered, "I’ll finish my afternoon tea, maybe watch a movie or sothing, and then head back ho after dinner."
Snow Fitch smiled, "Alright, take a nice little break for yourself. I’ve got an engagent tonight, otherwise I’d have co over to join you; it’s been years since we last went shopping together."
"Yeah, once all this ss is sorted, we’ll have a good ti shopping!"
"Yup."
After hanging up, Alia Garcia felt a bit more relaxed.
Her phone had many ssages, all from Christopher Hart, asking where she was, when she would return, and later he even apologized, saying he shouldn’t have pressured her so much...
Looking at them, her lips curved into a slight, ambiguous smile.
In the words of Snow Fitch, he really had changed a lot.
The old Christopher Hart seed like an emperor looking down on his subjects, never once putting himself in soone else’s shoes or speaking humbly.
But even though he had changed a lot now, it still wasn’t enough to stir her feelings.
Between them, they might as well just be friends, raising their children together.
She put away her phone, finished her coffee, grabbed her shopping spoils from two hours of intense shopping, and found a nearby cinema to dive into.
anwhile, Christopher Hart was taking the kids back ho.
Normally, with his way of doing things, having picked up the three children by himself, he would have taken them back to the Imperial Garden Villa, so that the woman wouldn’t have a reason not to co over.
But today, with Alia’s mood off and their relationship at a freezing point, he thought over and over again and decided not to add fuel to the fire, so he obediently took the children to Alia’s place.
It was almost five o’clock, and she hadn’t returned yet.
He contacted Snow Fitch, found out she was likely at the cinema, and the man was both frustrated and amused.
What could he do?
Who asked him to care so much?
If he couldn’t let go, then he’d continue to humble himself and coax her, even if she didn’t appreciate it, he still couldn’t stop caring tirelessly.
He instructed Sister Jones to make dinner for the kids and had Fuller stay close for protection. With his people stationed around the neighborhood, he felt assured enough to head out.
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