Chapter 628
Florence still could not be bothered to acknowledge him. She turned only to Diana. “Then what do you think we should do?”
“Let’s go see her first,” Diana said. She knew how much her mother worried about Sydney. “Once she’s recovered a bit and the baby is completely stable, we’ll find the right moment to tell her, okay?”
The memory of Sydney’s pale face from the night before had kept Diana awake for most of the night, haunted by the fear that something might go wrong. Thankfully, she had checked with Julian that morning and knew the situation was improving.
Even so, she did not dare show up and drop a bomb by blurting out, “We’re sisters by blood.”
For the Huttons, finding Vee again was a once–in–a–lifetime joy. Albus and Elizabeth had rushed overnight from Brimcrest, so elated that they had nearly gone straight to the Sterling family to acknowledge her.
But for Sydney, things were different. She had survived all those years of hardship alone. Now she had a loving home and a thriving career. Her life no longer needed the Huttons to rescue her in the snow. They could not afford to arrive too late and then add more weight to her burden.
Given Sydney’s temperament, once she learned that Florence had lived with a disability for years because of her, guilt would be unavoidable. The baby might not withstand another emotional shock so soon.
Naturally, Florence cared most about Sydney’s health. As long as Sydney was well, she could finally rest easy.
“All right. Hurry and have people prepare the foods Vee likes, along with some gifts. And don’t forget something for Julian’s grandmother too.”
This would be their first visit since learning Sydney’s identity. Even without a formal acknowledgement, they had to treat their youngest daughter properly.
“I’ve already arranged everything,” Diana replied. “Don’t worry.”
At the clinic, Marcus learned about Sydney’s condition and immediately placed her on extended leave, instructing her to focus on rest and caring for the baby.
After breakfast, Sydney settled into a chair in the backyard and soaked up the sunlight to get some calcium. Yoyo sprawled by her legs, tail swishing lazily from side to side. 1
When Julian came out with a plate of fruit, this was the scene that greeted him.
He slowed to a stop, his thoughts drifting. It probably happened because this was not the first time he had seen something like this. It had simply been so long that the sight felt almost unreal.
Back then, the girl also loved sunbathing, and Yoyo always stayed close to her. The only difference was that there had been just one lounge chair, shared half by the girl and half by the dog.
Now she was pregnant, and Yoyo had grown too big. One chair could no longer hold them both. Yet the sunlight remained the same. So did she. So did Yoyo.
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Chapter 628
+25 Bonus
Julian snapped back to himself and glanced at the mangoes on the plate. They were still her favorite, unchanged for ten years. A soft smile curved at his lips.
Hearing movement, Sydney turned and met his gaze. She squinted slightly against the light, her voice bright with delight. “Mango?” (1
“Mm.” Julian nodded and walked over. He speared a piece with a fork and brought it to her lips. “Is it sweet?”
She took a bite. Rich sweetness filled her mouth, and she looked up at him at once. “Very sweet. You should try some too.”
Sydney had beautiful eyes. When she looked at him like this, her lashes curved upward, and her clear, luminous gaze reflected only him.
Something stirred in Julian. His voice dropped a notch. “Can I try them?”
“Sure.”
She had barely nodded when he bent down, cupped her chin, and kissed her without warning.
Her eyes flew open. ‘In broad daylight?!‘
Thankfully, he knew when to stop and took only a brief taste. Even so, he still commented with exaggerated seriousness, “Yeah. Very sweet.”
His tone sounded proper enough, but the teasing glint in his eyes betrayed him.
Sydney felt both embarrassed and annoyed. She forced herself to ignore the heat creeping up her ears and shot him a glare. “Get lost!”
“Oh?” A voice sounded behind them, deliberately wounded. “So now that you’re with him, you’ve learned to be heartless too? I just got here, and you’re already telling me to leave?”
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