They chat and occasionally look at each other affectionately. Claire is even embarrassed. The bottle of red wine is slowly consumed.
Claire has always been a good drinker, but today it seems to be very intoxicating. The ambience and dreamlike candlelight makes Claire dizzy.
But Claire likes the feeling of dizziness. It seems to make the dreamlike scene and feeling more real. Claire looks at Leo’s reassuring smile when she’s slightly drunk. She realizes that is the happiness she has been pursuing.
Bryce can’t give it to her, and Juan can’t either. Only Leo in the world can make her feel at ease.
Their candlelight dinner lasts until midnight. In fact, most of the time, they are both immerse in the subtle atmosphere.
It is late at night after dinner. Leo takes Claire’s hand and walks out of the restaurant. The moon over the city is still bright and the moonlight makes their shadows long.
“Walk with me.” Claire smiles and shakes Leo’s hand like a teenage girl.
In Leo’s eyes, Claire is more young and lovely than a teenage girl.
“OK.” Leo holds Claire’s hand. They strolls shoulder to shoulder on the empty road.
There is no noise and bustle during the day. It seems that they are the only two people in the city at night.
Claire can feel Leo holding her hand. She seems to be the center of the world. The alcohol makes Claire’s coyness disappear. She smiles happily.
There are two rows of tall street trees standing quietly at night. They are witnessing the aimless stroll of the two happiest people in the world.
But it’s been quiet. Neither Claire nor Leo spakes. Most of the time they are thinking about each other. Sometimes they turn around suddenly and smile at each other.
The night is getting deeper. The wind in the dark sky drives the clouds to cover the moonlight. The wind whistles past them.
“It’s so cold.” Claire unconsciously hugs her shoulders. “And I seem a little sleepy.”
Leo looks around. There is a lake not far away. So he takes Claire and runs to the lake. They sit on the bank of the lake.
Leo takes off his clothes and puts them on Claire, then he holds her tightly in his arms.
At this time, the moon just comes out of the dark cloud. The moon falls on the lake and it is as bright as a mirror. When the wind blows, the lake is sparkling and beautiful.
“It’s good to live. I can see the beautiful world with you when I am alive.” Leo looks up and tells God about his happiness.
At this time, Leo is like a person who has completed a big business or a child who sees the sea for the first time.
Claire is in his arms listening to the sound of the lake. She closes her eyes and smiles. “Mr. Howard, is this how you feel when you are recovering from a serious illness?”
Leo nods and smells Claire’s hair and is intoxicated.
“Yes, I know how precious some things are only when they are lost, such as you and life. I have felt that you and my life are as important.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Genius Son Sells his Mom to Dad
The storyline could have been better -- organization and cohesion of episodes could stand improvement, ending could have been more definitive resolving the many conflicts between the protagonists. Of course, the despicable treatment of Leo towards Claire initially, e.g., selling her off in an auction and giving her to the madam of the club as princess is inhuman and a violation to the wife's rights and honor. I was wondering why she did not leave after these maltreatments. Oh, well, the conclusion [if the narrative ends in Chapter 488] is quite disappointing and anti-climactic. Thank you just the same....
The end of the story is wanting, considering how the episodes build up to conflict after conflict and concluding in yet another conflict. But then c'est la vie! Thank you....