Raelynn knew Ian was incredibly indulgent when it came to Lily.
He acted like the perfect father—never missing a birthday, constantly showering her with gifts, and checking in regularly. Even while living abroad, he hadn't dropped the ball once.
She showed the screen to Lily. The little girl had recently learned to read and perfectly understood Ian's message.
Puffing out her chest, Lily said very seriously, "Mommy, I know how to read. You don't need to pass on the message."
She even had her own iMessage account, utilizing voice notes whenever she encountered words she couldn't spell. The kid was developing a strong sense of pride, her little face a picture of utmost concentration.
Raelynn burst into laughter, cupping her daughter's soft cheeks and planting a kiss on her forehead. "Okay, okay! Go change your clothes. Mommy will drive you."
Lily immediately scrambled over to her massive closet on her little legs to pick out an outfit.
Looking at the sheer volume of clothes, Raelynn could only shake her head in awe.
Professor Finch and Celia believed in spoiling the child rotten. They practically wanted to move an entire department store into the house. In their free time, the older couple's favorite hobby was wandering through high-end children's boutiques. They'd buy a dress because it looked pretty, a hat because it matched, a hair clip because it was cute, and a plush toy because it felt soft.
Lily's wardrobe rivaled a princess's.
Celia Finch, having paused her usual travels, had recently come to Kingsford. Seeing Raelynn and Lily heading out, she rushed to the hallway, a spatula still in hand. "Tell him dinner is best served piping hot straight from the wok! Hurry back!"
Professor Finch simply peered over his reading glasses from the thick academic papers he was reviewing. "Drive carefully."
Raelynn waved cheerfully, grabbing Professor Finch's car keys before rushing out the door with Lily in tow.
Back at the gala.
As Ian typed out his reply on his phone, Julian caught something unexpected. Ian had actually... smiled.
It was an incredibly faint smile, almost imperceptible if one wasn't looking closely. But it put Julian on high alert. With the marriage pact still active, even though his sister was missing, Julian felt obligated to act as her fiercely protective guardian, monitoring anything that belonged to her.
"Busy with work, Mr. Hudson?" Julian asked casually.
Seraphina watched Ian, then turned to Julian. "Are your two families just going to leave the engagement hanging like this?"
Julian's usual laid-back demeanor vanished, replaced by an intense seriousness. "He is my sister's future husband. It's a great match, and I'm going to hold onto it for her."
As long as the Yves family didn't cancel it, the Hudsons would have to endure it for at least another two years.
Seraphina could see that beneath his playboy exterior, Julian harbored an unconditional, almost envious devotion to his sister.
She forced a smile. "Your sister is incredibly lucky."
She couldn't help but wonder.
If Julian's sister actually returned, given how fiercely Julian loved her, she would immediately be paraded around their elite circle. Everyone would be forced to cater to her every whim, instantly crowning her the undisputed princess of their world.
And then...

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...