In the evening, the first rays of sunlight after the rain always seemed particularly radiant, painting half the sky in fiery hues of red and gold.
At a school in Arkpool City, the crisp sound of the dismissal bell echoed through the corridors. Students began filing out of their classrooms, their chatter filling the campus with excitement. It was finally time for their monthly holiday.
Dressed neatly in light blue school uniforms, the students exuded youthful energy. Among them was Eason, walking out with his backpack slung over one shoulder. His fair skin glowed in the soft light, and his features had grown sharper and more refined. His jet-black hair swayed gently in the breeze, and he had noticeably shot up in height recently, standing out among his peers.
There was a brightness in his heart, a smile on his lips, and a childlike innocence in his eyes.
Eason was a boy who had been saved by exceptional medical care and the power of love. He was, without a doubt, a fortunate child. With buoyant steps, he made his way toward the school gate, his excitement palpable. He was heading to Emerald Bay after school to visit his niece and nephew-finally free from school for a few days, ready to embrace his role as the beloved uncle.
Since his recovery, Eason hadn’t just regained his health and height-his intellect had blossomed as well. He consistently ranked among the top ten in the entire school and held the number one position in his class. His academic progress was so remarkable that he no longer required private tutoring.
Outside the school gate, the family driver spotted him from afar and quickly stepped out to open the car door.
“Young Master, good evening,” the driver greeted politely.
“Good evening,” Eason replied with a cheerful smile as he climbed into the car. Despite his youth, he carried himself with a grace reminiscent of Tristan-polite and composed.
The driver closed the door for him and started the car, steering toward Emerald Bay.
No one was more thrilled about Eason’s arrival than Alfie and Diana.
As soon as he stepped into the house, the two children grabbed his hands and dragged him upstairs to see their baby sister. He didn’t even get a chance to put his backpack down.
“Our little sister is so beautiful! Her skin is so fair!” Alfie exclaimed, his voice filled with pride.
“Her name is Bell,” Diana added excitedly. “She looks so cute when she drinks her milk. But she can’t hold her bottle on her own yet! She’s still so tiny-about… about this long!” She gestured with her small hands to illustrate her point.
Jennifer, who was still in confinement after giving birth, was overjoyed to see her younger brother. She marveled at how much he had grown, both physically and mentally. The two siblings chatted for a long time, catching up on everything happening at school.
Jennifer couldn’t help but feel amazed by Eason. Unlike most teenagers, he showed no signs of rebellion. His values were solid, his demeanor calm, and his manners impeccable. He exuded a maturity and understanding far beyond his years.
After their conversation, Eason turned his attention to the baby. He adored Bell, cradling her carefully in his arms, his face glowing with affection. He kissed her soft cheeks repeatedly, unable to hide his love for the little one. That night, he decided to stay over, playing games in the yard with Alfie and Diana until late in the evening.
“Daddy, I want to sleep with Uncle tonight!” Alfie declared eagerly.
“Me too! I want to sleep with Uncle!” Diana chimed in, her excitement matching her brother’s.
“Alright, alright,” Ivan agreed with a chuckle, arranging for the three children to share a room. The warmth and joy of family filled every corner of Emerald Bay, painting a picture of harmony and happiness.
The days passed by peacefully…
Monica’s pregnancy had progressed, and her baby bump was becoming more prominent. Carrying twins, she had a unique physique-her weight gain was limited to her belly, leaving the rest of her figure unchanged.
She had become the family’s top priority, with everyone focused on her care. She hardly left the house, and her mother, Belinda, stayed by her side, attentively managing her diet and daily routine.
Algerone often took it upon himself to cook for her, preparing delicious meals to ensure she was well-nourished. The atmosphere within their family was warm and loving. They often video-called Monica’s father, who lived far away in Lu Layeka, to keep him updated on her health and well-being.
Tristan, meanwhile, spent most of his time working from home on his computer. With the company running smoothly, he no longer needed to constantly oversee operations.
This group of people, after getting married, had all shifted their focus to their families. They had come to understand a fundamental truth about life: it was short, and material wealth was fleeting. The real treasure lay in the time spent with loved ones.
With this understanding, each of them lived a life of contentment and fulfillment.
—
In a faraway apartment, Tom Fritz had just returned from the lab. As he walked, his thoughts drifted to Agnes. She hadn’t answered his calls. Even if she had been asleep, she should have seen the missed calls by the next day.
Why had so many days passed without a response? Not even a single text message. What could have happened?