A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 151

Aurora's face burned crimson as she fled the scene, tears welling in her eyes, utterly humiliated.

Her unexpected stunt had been a major test for Leland, but the results were delightful. Through his actions, Leland had drawn a sharp, definitive line between himself and Quentin. He was different.

Annie was thrilled. She allowed Leland to pick her up, settling comfortably onto his lap as he rummaged through the bags of hair accessories to show her. "Which one do you like best, Annie?"

Her tiny finger pointed at a crystal hair tie adorned with a sparkling, jewel-encrusted cookie charm. It was exploding with cuteness.

Leland picked it up with his long, elegant fingers and summoned his assistant, who was standing by dutifully. "Fletcher, come here."

"Yes, sir."

Fletcher, a man with the ultimate good-natured face, took the sparkly cookie hair tie his boss handed him and carefully hooked it onto his own ear. He then gently removed the little crown clip from Annie's hair and pinned it onto Leland's suit pocket. After pulling out the rough rubber band holding Annie's hair, Fletcher retrieved the crystal hair tie from his ear and expertly tied her hair into a neat little bun. Leland then unclipped the crown from his pocket and secured it right at the base of the new hair tie.

"All done, little princess."

Annie patted her head. It was perfect. The sparkly cookie and the little crown were both in her hair now. She loved it. Giggling with joy, she peeked into the shopping bags. "Mr. Leland, can I share these with my best friends?"

There were too many for one person to ever use. Her friends loved little trinkets, and she wanted to share the wealth. Besides, they had come to celebrate her birthday and had brought gifts. Her mommy had taught her that when you receive a gift, you should give one in return. Warmth was a two-way street.

Mrs. Channing was deeply moved. She wrapped an arm around Winifred's shoulders and whispered in her ear. "Winifred, stay far away from that trash Quentin. You've got a real catch with Mr. Lockwood. The Lockwood family has an impeccable reputation. Their men are fiercely loyal and brilliant in business. The women are just as wonderful—the older Mrs. Lockwood and the others run several charities out of their own pockets to help the underprivileged. They treat their people exceptionally well. Most of their staff stay with them for life. You can imagine the kind of healthy, supportive environment it takes to inspire that kind of loyalty."

Winifred looked over at Annie, who was laughing joyously with her friends under Leland's watchful, protective gaze. Her daughter's face was lit up with the brightest smile. As Annie spun around, nearly bumping into the edge of the table, Leland's large hand was already there, acting as a cushion. When she bobbed her head near the sharp corner of a chair, she bumped harmlessly into his warm forearm instead.

Without realizing it, tears blurred Winifred's vision.

She had been walking a seemingly endless, grueling path. Her children had been despised before they were even born. She had gritted her teeth, endured, and pushed forward in the dark. Even though they had lived in Quentin's large house with him physically present, her children had never, not once, experienced a father's protective love.