Vicente towed Nina toward the one-meter-high box and ordered the others, "Leave us, please. Cali, please accompany my mom for a while. We'll see you back at dinner time."
"Yes, sir." After that, all the servants left followed by Cali and Mrs. Nangong.
Nina looked at Vicente in confusion. "Why did you send them away?"
"Because I want you to have this moment to yourself." Vicente raised her eyebrows slightly. "Go ahead. Open the box."
"Okay." Nina stared at the delicate bow sitting on top of the box. Once she slipped that bow free, she could take off the lid and peer inside.
She wondered what was in the box. Could it be John who came here for her?
Questions ran wildly in her mind. When her fingers touched the ribbon, she suddenly held back and bit her lip.
For half a year, she had no contact with the people in Lexingport City. She lived the same life as before, only this time, she had twin babies growing in her belly.
All her life, she had always felt that time passed quickly, but now, she felt that half a year was an eternity.
Without Vicente's company and the children she was carrying, Nina would not have known how to get through the past six months.
Vicente said that the gift in the box was from Lexingport City. No matter how long she spent away from that city, it would always remain the same for her. It would always hold a special place in her heart.
After all, she met a lot of good people there—good friends who loved her sincerely and a husband who cherished and protected her.
Nina's fingers trembled slightly. She still had not pulled the knot loose.
"What's wrong? Don't you want my gift?" Vicente put her hand on Nina's shoulder and was surprised to find that her body had gone stiff. She went to stand behind her and gently massaged her shoulders. "Don't be nervous. Open it."
With tears in her eyes, Nina took a deep breath and tugged the ribbon loose.
"Happy Lunar New Year's Eve, Nina." Slowly getting up from a crouching position inside the box, Noah smiled at Nina.
Nina's hand shot up over her mouth, her eyes wide with glee and astonishment. She tilted her head back to look up at Noah and blinked twice to make sure that she was not dreaming. It was not John, but all the same, Nina was ecstatic to see someone from Lexingport City.
"Noah..." Then, an ocean of tears escaped Nina's eyes.
She was not expecting to see Noah.
When Nina called his name in a hoarse voice, Noah felt his heart ache.
"How are you?" Noah tucked Nina's hair behind her ear and saw her face, which was round because of pregnancy. Her usually pale skin now glowed, making her look even more beautiful.
Her amber eyes were wet, but they gleamed with joy.
Noah looked at her bulging belly and smiled gently. "You're going to be a mother."
"Noah. It's really you." Tears still streamed down Nina's cheeks.
Noah was really standing in front of her.
He cared about her as much as her brother did.
He was her senior, and he had taught her many things.
And he had gave her lollipops.
Hearing his voice now and being close enough to touch him, Nina could not help sobbing. It just dawned on her how much she had missed him.
Looking at her tearful face, Noah reached out and gently wiped her tears. "Why are you crying?"
Nina wanted to reply, but her answer just got trapped in her throat between sobs. She just shook her head and pressed Noah's hand harder against her tearstained cheek.
Noah stepped out of the box and held Nina in his arms. He rested his chin on her forehead and said, "Don't cry. You're going to make me cry, too."
Nina rested her head on Noah's chest and listened to herself weep. Noah's heartbeat was strong and steady against her ear.
"I've missed you so much, Noah. And I miss John, Mimi, James, Emma, and Chester, too."
Noah caressed the back of Nina's head and said softly, "We've missed you, too."
She betrayed me!'
Before Vicente could launch into a full-blown overreaction, Nina was already hobbling toward her, her eyes glistening with apology. "Noah's my friend."
"You..." Vicente angrily walked over and glared at Nina. Then, she raised her chin and looked at Noah with dark, murderous eyes.
Keeping his face neutral, Noah said politely, "I won't tell anyone. You can trust me."
"No. I haven't known you long enough to take your word for anything." Vicente pulled Nina to her side. Her grip was firm, but she was still careful not to handle her pregnant wife too hard.
Nina held onto Vicente's arm and promised, "Noah is a man of his word. If he says he won't tell anyone, he won't."
"Don't talk to me. I'm angry with you." Vicente turned her head and stared at Nina with furious and disappointed eyes.
Nina just lowered her head. The truth was, she did not realize that Vicente was really angry.
Vicente had never been angry with Nina. At least not until now.
Vicente had her guard way up, and there was no way Noah was getting through.
On the other hand, she knew Nina was not a careless person. Since Nina decided to tell Noah the truth, it meant he was reliable.
Vicente became less angry. She stared at Nina and said, "I can't trust him, Nina. As long as he's here on C Island, I'll keep my eye on him around the clock. We've come so far. I can't have all our efforts end up in vain."
Nina glanced at Noah, and he dipped his chin at her as if telling her to make a decision.
"Fine." Holding Vicente's arm, Nina leaned in and whispered into her ear, "You'll have no problem watching him during the daytime, but what about during the night? Don't forget that you're..."
She stopped there and gave Vicente a meaningful glance.
Vicente looked at her body,
and her eyes widened. How could she forget that she was a woman?
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