No Renewal My Contract Husband (Nella and Alfred) novel Chapter 388

Chapter 388 The Girl She Used to Be

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The moment Nella stepped out of the building, she spotted Wesley in the distance, holding a small bag filled with all kinds of sparklers.

The two of them, along with Marshal, left the neighborhood and walked to a nearby open area where small fireworks were allowed.

They found a set of steps and sat down.

Wesley pulled out a few sparklers and handed them to Nella. “Here.”

Nella took them and lit one.

Watching the sparkler crackle and fizz in her hand, Nell found herself lost in thought.

She used to love playing with these as a kid during the holidays.

Back when her grandparents were still alive and she was the only child in the family, they would buy her the newest and coolest fireworks on the market.

Then she grew up.

But every year during the holidays, they would still prepare all kinds of fireworks for her, just like before.

Always the latest ones-safe and fun.

And then she married Alfred.

Afraid that Alfred would think she was childish, she would just stand quietly and watch whenever she saw Camelia running around the Keywood Estate’s courtyard with sparklers.

Back then, Camelia kept shoving sparklers into her hands, insisting that she join in.

She still remembered how Alfred had scolded Camelia for dragging her along.

He said Camelia was a grown adult acting so undignified as immature as a child.

Even though he wasn’t talking about her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that his words were meant for her

ears.

Later, Alfred said to her, “If you don’t want to play, then don’t.”

There was no anger on his face, but his blank expression crushed the excitement bubbling up inside her.

Looking back now, she realized she had trapped herself inside the shell of Alfred’s perfect, dignified wife.

She had put on a show for Alfred while making herself miserable.

Maybe, back then, Alfred hadn’t even cared what image he presented.

“Nella?”

Wesley’s puzzled voice pulled her back to reality.

“What are you thinking about? It already burned out.”

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Chapter 388 The Girl She Used to Be

Wesley smiled as he took the burnt-out sparkler from her hand and handed her two fresh ones.

Nella realized she had unconsciously been thinking about Alfred again, and she frowned.

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She changed the subject and asked Wesley, “Were you not happy celebrating at Mr. Regis’s place? You sounded a bit down on the phone.”

Wesley lit her sparkler as he answered, “It’s not that I was unhappy. I’m just not that close with them yet. Spending the holidays together all of a sudden felt a little awkward. My mom’s keeping Grandpa company right now, so I snuck out to find you.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a novelty headband from the bag and placed it on Marshal’s head, then handed her a matching one.

“Come on, let me take a picture of you and Marshal. A sibling photo.”

As he said this, he had already pulled out the camera he brought with him and crouched down a short distance away.

Nella immediately put on the matching headband, wrapped her arm around Marshal, and started making all kinds of goofy poses for Wesley’s camera.

Maybe it was because she was finally letting loose, or because Marshal was playing along, or because she no longer carried the burden of being Alfred’s wife. She found herself able to be silly in ways she never could before.

By the end, even she couldn’t help but laugh.

Nella, happily playing with Marshal in her arms, had no idea that not far away, standing beneath a tree, someone else was watching her. He stood perfectly still, large bag of fireworks in his hand, watching her laugh so freely and carelessly.

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