Georgia hadn’t seen Kayden in what felt like an eternity. Though they had been apart for just a week, she was tormented by an intense longing to see him. She couldn’t pinpoint when her feelings for him had grown so deep.
She had no idea where he had gone or when he would return. Many times, she picked up her phone, intending to call him, but each time she hesitated and put it back down. Despite being husband and wife, their relationship didn’t feel like that of an ordinary couple.
After all, she wasn’t like other women. And Kayden-he was unlike any man she had ever known.
Their relationship hadn’t yet progressed to the kind of intimacy that most couples have.
But now, Georgia was almost certain of Kayden’s true identity. He had to be someone powerful, someone whose influence stretched far and wide. Ever since his memories had returned, her life had undergone many changes. Jamie’s status had crumbled, and even the once-unchallenged authority of Old Mrs. Adams was slowly unraveling.
Opportunities had begun to cascade toward her like an unstoppable flood. Whether it was her signing a contract with Beckett, her attending the Vincent family’s prestigious centennial banquet, or the countless business collaborations proposed to her company-these were all undoubtedly Kayden’s doing!
Though she couldn’t confirm whether Kayden was the soldier he had claimed to be, her instincts told her he was someone extraordinary. At the very least, he was a figure that neither Beckett, the Ford family, nor anyone in Hiphia would dare to cross.
Knowing he held such a remarkable identity should have filled Georgia with pride. Yet strangely, she couldn’t feel any joy. Instead, an inexplicable unease gnawed at her heart.
She still longed for the days when Kayden was just that carefree, simple-minded man. He would be content to sit at home watching TV, oblivious to the world’s worries. She cherished the routine of coming home from work and finding him there, waiting for her. But deep down, she knew that if he stayed that way forever, she’d feel suffocated. Like back then, she always couldn’t help comparing Kayden with someone else’s husband, and it stung. She wrestled with conflicting emotions in her heart-she wasn’t sure what kind of Kayden she truly wanted.
“Georgia, it’s been ages since I was last here! I can’t believe how much Hiphia has changed!” A girl exclaimed with wide-eyed wonder. She was in a floral dress, a handbag dangling from her arm,
“Yeah, Hiphia has been undergoing major development these past two years. They’ve focused not just on industrial growth but also on enhancing the city’s greenery,” Georgia replied. Unlike her usual professional look, today she wore a flowing black tulle dress that hugged her figure flawlessly, making her appear pure, graceful, and breathtakingly beautiful!
Beside the girl in the floral dress stood another girl, clearly not a local-she came from Oriaville.
“Hiphia’s transformation is as impressive as yours, Georgia. You were once such a quiet and delicate girl, and now you’ve risen to become a business powerhouse.”
These two girls were Georgia’s college roommates. The one in the floral dress was Cyan Mella, a Hiphia native. The other, wearing a striking red dress paired with oversized sunglasses and a stylish sun hat, was Regina Hayden from Oriaville.
Both of them hailed from affluent families, but Regina’s background was especially remarkable-rumor had it that her father was the richest man in Oriaville. Back when they were at school, Regina always carried herself with an air of superiority, constantly seeking ways to overshadow Georgia. She couldn’t stand how Georgia’s beauty and grace effortlessly drew attention, leaving her feeling eclipsed.
Today, they came to Hiphia and decided to invite Georgia out for a casual shopping trip.
They were all stunning, and they soon became a spectacle on the streets. They attracted people’s attention wherever they went. The trio exuded such charm that many passersby, especially men, couldn’t resist pulling out their phones to capture the moment.
“You’re too kind, Regina. Actually, I’ve always envied you,” Georgia replied with her usual modesty.
Regina’s eyes gleamed mischievously as if recalling something. “Oh, by the way, Georgia, I heard from Cyan that you’re married now?”
Georgia nodded with a gentle smile. “Yes, I got married right after we graduated three years ago.”
“Really?” Regina raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise. “What does your husband do? He must be incredibly wealthy to have won someone like you. I always said, with your looks, you were destined to marry a rich and powerful man.”
Regina had already heard of the rumors about Georgia’s husband, who was said to be slow-witted. Her seemingly innocent question was a calculated jab.
But Georgia didn’t bat an eye. There was no awkwardness in her response-after all, her husband was far beyond anything Regina could imagine. Smiling humbly, she said, “He’s in the military.”
Regina’s eyes widened with genuine curiosity. “In the military? Gosh, which prominent family does he come from?”
“He’s not from any prominent family; he’s just a soldier!”
“What? You’re kidding, right? How could you marry someone so casually? You’re the hottest and most popular girl in our dorm!” Regina pressed on, clearly aiming to embarrass Georgia.
In the past, Georgia might have flushed with awkwardness under such comments, but not anymore. Now, she held her head high, proud to be Kayden’s wife.
Before she could respond, Cyan’s voice interrupted, “Hey, look over there! Something’s happening.”
Georgia and Regina turned to follow Cyan’s gaze. A crowd had gathered nearby, and as was typical, where there was a commotion, people flocked to see what the fuss was about.
Curious, they quickly made their way to the lively spot. It was a broad open space meant for resting, bordered by a quaint garden. Sitting in the center of the area was an elderly man with cloudy, white eyes that seemed to see nothing. His head was crowned with unkempt white hair, and a long, wispy beard cascaded down his chest. His blindness was obvious, likely caused by severe cataracts, which left his eyes with an eerie appearance. He wore a patched-up white robe, suggesting that he was living a life of hardship.
Yet, he wasn’t here begging for money. Instead, he sat there offering his craft. Before him lay a red sheet of paper, with uneven, scrawled characters that proclaimed: Fortune Telling!
“That old man’s a fortune teller!” Cyan exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise.
At that moment, the elderly man was examining a woman’s hand. He ran his fingers over her palm from top to bottom, then released her hand. He concluded in a deep voice, “You are destined to have two marriages and two sons. Your first husband should be in prison by now, and your second husband is a wealthy businessman.”
The woman’s face brightened in astonishment. “Oh my goodness, that’s exactly right! My ex-husband is really in prison, and I only have one son now. So, does that mean I’ll have another son with my current husband?”
The old man nodded thoughtfully, “That’s exactly what your fate indicates.”
“Thank you so much for your kind words, sir! Thank you!” The woman was overwhelmed with joy. She immediately handed the old man a thick wad of cash as a token of her gratitude.
The group of onlookers gasped, eyes wide with amazement. “This old man’s fortune-telling is spot on! He’s like some sort of prophet!”
“Yeah! I’ve never seen such an incredible fortune teller before. It’s almost magical!”
“They say that truly gifted masters don’t seek money. Look at him-his predictions are so accurate, yet he never asks for a single penny. That’s genuine skill!”
The onlookers were mostly women who had a deep belief in fortune-telling. They watched with wide eyes as the old man continued to amaze them with his abilities. His accuracy had earned him their complete admiration, and they were now certain he was no ordinary fortune teller-he was expertise in this field.