Just after hanging up the phone, Sylvia received a video call from Isla. “Miss Andrews, I called you several times, why was your line always busy?”
“I was chatting with a friend for a bit longer,” Sylvia replied, observing Isla on the other end of the video call. Isla looked radiant and happy, even though she was just wearing casual home clothes.
“Miss Andrews, could you accompany me to try on wedding dresses tomorrow? I’ve picked out several styles but can’t make up my mind,” Isla said, a bit embarrassed. “I originally wanted a custom-made dress, but… I’m pregnant.”
She was worried that a custom-made dress might not fit by the time of the wedding, so she hadn’t chosen one yet. Instead, she decided to buy a high-end ready-made dress. She had selected several styles but couldn’t decide which one to choose. The wedding was approaching quickly.
Sylvia didn’t hesitate and agreed readily, “Sure, see you tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you, Miss Andrews,” Isla said with a happy smile. Sylvia was a renowned designer with a great eye for fashion.
After hanging up the phone, Isla turned around to see Soren standing behind her, holding two cups of warm milk.
“Drink some milk; it helps you sleep better at night,” he said, handing her a cup.
Isla took the cup with a sweet smile still on her face. “I haven’t seen Miss Andrews in a long time; I miss her.”
“You’re having a bachelorette party tomorrow night and invited several friends, right? Did you invite Miss Andrews?” Soren remembered Sylvia as a beautiful and capable woman.
“Yes, I’ll invite her when I see her tomorrow morning,” Isla said, taking a sip of milk. “I never thought we’d make it this far.”
Soren looked at her still-flat stomach and placed his large hand gently over it. “We already have a baby on the way; why wouldn’t we make it?”
He kissed her forehead softly. “Alright, get some rest. I have to go.”
“Alright…” Isla said reluctantly, watching him leave. “It’s annoying that we can’t live together before the wedding. If you’re leaving, just go quickly.”
Soren smiled and left the Saunders family home.
In Franklin’s villa in Urgford.
After taking a shower, Sylvia sat on the sofa watching TV while drying her hair. It had been a long time since she had been home. She looked up at Franklin, who was about to take a shower. “How about we have lunch with the Wright family tomorrow? It’s been a while since we came back.”
Franklin had just taken his pajamas from the hanger and turned to look at her. “Sure, Aunt and Brayden would be happy.”
After his shower, Franklin saw that Sylvia had prepared a late-night snack: two plates of duck wings and necks in sauce, a small dish of pickles, and porridge with preserved egg and lean meat.
She set the table and smiled at him. “We’ve been busy these past few days and haven’t eaten well. I made some porridge; come and eat.”
Franklin dried his hair before sitting at the table and taking a sip of porridge. “Home-cooked food is always the best. It’s much better than what we had in Middle Evroya.”
No matter how many years had passed, Franklin always found Sylvia’s cooking delicious, even if it was just pickles. Although no one lived in the villa regularly, they had arranged for cleaners to come periodically. So when they returned from Middle Evroya, the house was spotless.
After their late-night snack, Franklin volunteered to wash the dishes. When he returned to the bedroom, he was surprised by what he saw.
Sylvia was leaning seductively against the headboard, her eyes filled with allure. She wore the sexy lingerie he had bought for her…
But at that moment, he had no patience to admire her deliberate attire; he just wanted to kiss her.
When it finally ended, he held her in his arms, kissed her tenderly on the lips, and said with both pain and affection, “Since we learned about the Love Parasite affecting your body, we haven’t used contraception…”
“Let’s leave it to fate when it comes to having a baby. If it happens one day, it’ll be a miracle. If not… maybe it’s just not meant to be,” Sylvia yawned delicately. “I’m tired; let’s sleep.”
Despite her words, she didn’t fall asleep immediately.
It wasn’t until she heard Franklin’s steady breathing that she slowly opened her eyes.
She quietly got up, put on her robe, and went downstairs to sit on the sofa, gazing out at the night.
The willow trees in the villa area had sprouted new buds; winter was quietly retreating as spring began to emerge.
Another year had passed…
Unable to sleep, she picked up her phone and read Jaida’s novel until she realized it was already past midnight.
She quickly put down her phone and went back to bed.
The next morning, Franklin woke up early and ordered breakfast delivery before going upstairs to wake Sylvia.
He found her still sound asleep and called her several times before she slowly opened her eyes and looked at him groggily. “Morning.”
Hearing her hoarse voice and seeing her tired expression, Franklin narrowed his eyes slightly. “Didn’t sleep well last night?”
“It’s been too long since I slept here; I’m not used to it,” Sylvia said, not daring to tell him she had stayed up late reading a novel. Fortunately, she usually had good energy.
After washing up, she looked fine except for some dark circles under her eyes. She applied some BB cream and concealer to cover them before heading out.
The couple went directly to Urgford’s largest and most upscale bridal boutique where Isla and Soren were already waiting.
Seeing his old friend, Soren patted Franklin on the shoulder. “When are you two going to have a wedding?”
Everyone knew Sylvia was Mrs. Maskelyne, but they had never held a wedding…
It felt like something was missing.
“Maybe later,” Franklin said with a hint of something in his eyes. He still had unresolved matters around him and Sylvia.
A wedding… He had thought about it during Darius and Isabelle’s wedding-how would he plan his own wedding with Sylvia?
His lips formed a straight line as he stared intently at Sylvia from afar.
Sylvia frowned slightly and met his intense gaze. What was he thinking?
Why was he staring at her like a wolf…
Hadn’t he been satisfied last night?
“Miss Andrews, what’s wrong? Don’t you like this dress?” Isla asked again when she noticed Sylvia hadn’t responded after talking for a while.
Sylvia smiled awkwardly and snapped back to reality. “This dress is great-elegant and dignified while showcasing your figure perfectly. But… I think this one might be even better. Why don’t you try both?”
She held up another wedding dress for Isla to see.
Isla blinked in surprise. “I hadn’t considered this one before; why did you choose it?”
“Try it on and you’ll see,” Sylvia said with a smile without further explanation.
Isla first tried on the dress she liked and then tried on the one Sylvia had chosen.
When she stood in front of the mirror, she was stunned.
“Oh my! This dress is amazing!”
The pure white skirt was crafted with countless pleats covered by a layer of soft tulle like a thin mist over the folds.
White roses spiraled down from the shoulders along vine-like patterns on the perfectly tailored dress with its flared skirt making her look like a princess from an oil painting-elegant and magnificent.
Most importantly, it concealed her slightly protruding belly while accentuating her waistline.
It suited her perfectly-pure and flawless. “What do you think?” Sylvia asked Isla with a smile.
Isla twirled around in amazement. “It didn’t look that special on the hanger but wearing it is incredible! I’ll take this one!”
After choosing the wedding dress, Sylvia also picked out a red dress for Isla to wear during the reception.
“You have such good taste,” Isla said, holding Sylvia’s hand warmly. “I’m so happy we found such a beautiful dress. Let’s have lunch together afterward. What do you want to eat?”
“I’m afraid I can’t join you for lunch,” Sylvia explained about their lunch plans with the Wright family.
Isla looked disappointed but understanding. “Alright… But you must come to the bachelorette party tonight.”
“Of course,” Sylvia agreed readily.
At that moment, Soren and Franklin stood up as well. “What did you pick? Let me see,” Soren said curiously as he approached Isla while glancing at the store staff packing away the dresses.
“You’ll have to wait until the wedding,” Isla said mysteriously with a smile.
Soren affectionately patted her head. “You’re so playful.”
After leaving the bridal shop, Franklin and Sylvia headed straight to the restaurant where the Wright family was already waiting in a private room.
Mrs. Wright greeted them warmly with a smile. “It’s been so long since we gathered together; it’s all thanks to Darius and Isabelle’s wedding.”
“Sylvia, you look even more beautiful! How are Grandma and Uncle? Is Aunt close to her due date?”
“Franklin! How have you been lately?”
She asked several questions in quick succession, making Sylvia laugh as she took her seat. “Sis, you’re asking too many questions at once; I don’t know which one to answer first.”
“Answer them one by one,” Mrs. Wright said affectionately while holding Sylvia’s hand. “We must visit Aettosa when Aunt has her baby.”
“Alright dear wife let’s order first see what Franklin Sylvia want eat.” Cody interrupted handing menu Franklin.”Franklin take look.”