As Cheyenne listened to the whole story, her heart was filled with regrets.
If the two elderly folks hadn’t been so proud back then, maybe they would’ve been together long ago.
In any relationship, someone has to show vulnerability first, be it in love or in family ties.
She actually wanted to ask Paisley if she regretted it. But when she saw the radiant smile on Paisley’s face, she understood a lot. Once you’ve loved, there’s no room for regret!
Even though she and Old Bray weren’t exactly a couple anymore, anyone with eyes could see they were still very much in love.
Their relationship, both romantic and friendly, was even better than a simple marital bond, with fewer constraints. If Kelvin hadn’t turned back, still clinging to his pride, maybe her fate would’ve been the same as Paisley’s. Or perhaps, she’d been swayed by Omari, choosing to believe in love again. Whichever it was, Cheyenne never regretted loving once.
Old Bray was obviously feeling guilty, knowing he’d done wrong, but he couldn’t bring himself to apologize.
Every time he tried, he couldn’t help but tease her, feeling relieved only when she got angry.
If Paisley knew what he was thinking, she’d definitely roll her eyes and exclaim, “Are you crazy?”
Finally, old Mr. Foley intervened, raising his glass and standing up. “Today is an joyous occasion. I suggest we all toast to this reunion.”
Cheyenne quickly set down her fork and picked up her glass. “Grandpa’s right, let’s toast.”
“Cheers.” Watching the adults cheerfully raising their glasses, Cierra had a bright idea. She picked up her own baby bottle and stood on her chair. “I want to, I want to… Great-grandpa, cheers!” Her cute little yellow duck bottle looked out of place next to the tall glasses.
The little girl’s radiant smile was like a catalyst, immediately lifting the festive atmosphere to a climax. Channing doted on his granddaughter and lightly tapped her bottle with his glass. “Alright, let’s toast to Cierra growing more beautiful.”
Cierra racked her brains and finally came up with a compliment. “Then I wish grandpa pretty like a flower.” Can you describe a man as beautiful as a flower? Oliver opened his mouth to remind his sister, but unfortunately, grandpa didn’t care at all. On the contrary, he smiled even more broadly.
The banquet was a success, and in the end, Grandpa and Old Bray, who hadn’t seen each other for many years, agreed to go upstairs to the study to play chess together.
Cheyenne stayed in the living room chatting with Paisley. Despite their considerable age difference, they had similar experiences, so they had a lot to talk about.
Cierra couldn’t wait to drag William to her room to share her little treasures with him. Those things were off-limits even to her biological brother Oliver. This made Oliver quite upset.
He worried about his silly little sister every day, afraid she’d be hungry, cold, or bullied outside.
And yet, she preferred another boy over him. Thinking of this, he kept a cold face towards William, his eyes full of impatience.
Cierra: “William, look at this. This is the music box my uncle gave me. It plays beautifully. Do you want it? I’ll give it to you…”
The music box was made of pure gold, with a ballerina dancing in the center, adorned with real diamonds on her skirt. The melody was composed by Benson himself, and this music box was one of a kind in the world, its value immeasurable. She used to love it, listening to it every night before sleep.
William didn’t know these details; he only saw it as a slightly expensive, unique music box. Cierra wanted to give it to him, so he couldn’t refuse.
“I…”
Just as William was about to thank her, the music box was snatched away by another hand.
He and Cierra turned to look at the owner of the hand simultaneously.
They saw a boy with a prematurely mature face, taking a deep breath to try to not look so angry as he said, “Silly sister, didn’t you say this music box was for me? How can you give it to an outsider now?”
Clearly, by “outsider,” he meant William.
Hearing this, Cierra tilted her head in confusion. “When did I say I would give it to you? I don’t remember saying that.”
She hadn’t said it.
But Oliver continued unabashedly, “You did, you just forgot! Last month, when I got double 100s on my exam, you said it.”
This girl had the typical seven-second memory; she definitely wouldn’t remember what happened last month.
Sure enough, Cierra half-believed and half-doubted, scratching her head awkwardly. “Okay then, this music box is for you; William, I’m sorry, I have other nice things, wait a moment.”
After all, William was a few years older than them, an eight-year-old not to be underestimated; some things were understood at a glance.
Whether it was his illusion or not, he felt that Cierra’s brother didn’t seem to like him very much.
He subconsciously glanced at Oliver, who was staring at him with a pair of dark eyes, his expression unusually serious.
As if sizing him up, his gaze was full of vigilance.
Meanwhile, Cierra, ignoring her image, knelt on the ground and crawled under the bed, eager to show off her collection to William. Soon, a round little bottom wriggled out from under the bed, followed by the girl’s back and head. Her hair was dusty, looking dirty, but her eyes were exceptionally bright, smiling mischievously.
“William, look, this is where I keep my treasures.”
As she spoke, she opened the box in her hand.
The square box was fifty centimeters long, just right to be placed under the bed without being noticed.
Upon opening it, a mess of odds and ends filled half the box.
Cierra: “How about this Transformers?”
Oliver: “Isn’t this the one I gave you?”
William: “Then I’d better not take it, thanks for your kindness, sister.”
Cierra: “Then what about this Barbie doll? She’s so pretty, and this dress was handmade by my godmother.”
Oliver lazily glanced at it. “Didn’t you say this one and the one Sasha has are a pair of sisters? How could you bear to separate them?”
The little girl pouted, realizing belatedly. “Oh, right, Sasha will be mad when she comes back.”
What should she give William then?
William was now clear on one thing-
Oliver didn’t like him!
“No need, Cierra, I don’t need you to give me anything. We’ll always be good friends.”
Hearing this, Oliver snorted coldly in his heart.
You know your place!