Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
Since Halston’s back was still injured, he was only able to either lay flat or sit upright. He couldn’t stand at all, nor could he exert himself, so Flossie was tasked with driving the car.
“Lean back against that pillow and stay still. Oh, and tell me if you think I’m going too fast.” Flossie grabbed hold of the steering wheel with both hands, suppressing her instinct to speed.
This was the slowest she had driven in her entire life.
Sitting in the back seat with a pillow secured behind his back, Halston calmly questioned, “I heard from Xavier that you like speeding on the road, and that you were the champion of an underground race. You must feel pretty upset driving at this speed, huh?”
Flossie sighed miserably. “I won’t lie, I do feel really uncomfortable, but I have to drive slowly for the sake of your back.”
She had also secretly decided to find the opportunity to go to 81 Curve to have some fun while Halston wasn’t around.
The ’81 Curve’ was the most difficult route in the area, with several risky turns, and was a natural racing course. The road had 81 turns in all, thus the name.
Many underground racers enjoyed racing there, and as a result, many had died there too. Although racing was no longer permitted on the track, many people still went to race there at night. Flossie was one of those courageous individuals.
Halston grinned as he looked out the window at the greenery that flashed past him. “You can go as fast as you want; I’m not as weak as you think. You don’t have to hold back in front of me.”
Flossie used to hide her real feelings in order to be the ideal wife in front of him. The more she strived to be flawless, the more he loathed it, and it had created a tremendous gap between them. He couldn’t fall in love with someone who buried her emotions behind a mask, but he was so passionately in love with her now that she had ceased caring about his opinion and was genuinely herself.
“I read somewhere that the person who makes you feel the most relaxed and comfortable is the person who is best suited to be your life partner. I hope I can be that person for you.” Halston wasn’t a talker, and he wouldn’t read self-help books, but he meant every word he said.
Flossie was taken aback when she heard this. She’d never expected to hear such things from him. Then again, she figured he was just trying to make their act seem more real. The very notion of being with him again terrified her!
“Well, if someone suddenly reveals their true self, it might not make others happy. It might just scare them away,” Flossie said coldly.
“Maybe that’s because they’re not used to it. Even an obedient puppy can turn into a wolf,” he stated lightly.
“What are you talking about? Stop wasting my time.” She knew what he was implying, but since she was embarrassed, she pretended not to understand him.
The mood in the car shifted to something serene and pleasant. They didn’t say anything, but they had undeniably become closer.
They arrived at the Guajardo Residence in the afternoon.
Flossie parked her vehicle inside the garage, then unlocked the trunk and pulled out a wheelchair.
“Sit on it,” she instructed Halston.
“There’s no need for that. I’m not handicapped – I can get around.” He rejected her and attempted to go forward on his own.
“Quit moving!” She stopped him and barked, “Stop arguing and get in the wheelchair.”
Halston was dominant by nature, but he abruptly relinquished his authority and sat dutifully in the wheelchair as Flossie requested.
“I’m very happy, Flossie.” He turned to face the woman who was pushing his wheelchair, and said pleasantly, “I hope you’ll support me like this for the rest of my life.”
He felt like she actually cared about him. Regardless of the truth, he had to hold on to his happiness.
The Guajardo Residence.
Timothy was overjoyed, and his eyes welled up with tears as he saw Francine bring Adie and Abby home.
“Kids, this is the grandpa I mentioned. He’s the Guajardo family member who likes your mother the most and who your father fears the most.” Francine gladly introduced Timothy to the children. After interacting with them for a few days, she had come to understand their thought process – anyone friendly to Flossie and hostile to Halston was an ally.
She had become their ally by criticizing Halston on occasion, and she hoped that by introducing Timothy in such a way, the children would warm to him.
To Francine’s delight, her plan worked. Adie, who was usually cautious, approached Timothy on his own.
He raised his head and looked at Timothy’s wrinkled face, then gently hooked his finger around the old man’s wrinkled finger and murmured, “Great-grandpa, I can tell you’re a good person. Thank you for looking after my mother.”
When Abby saw this, she went up to her brother and happily told him, “Adie, you finally agree with me that people who look good are good. We should assess people based on their looks!”
She then turned around and smiled charmingly as she grasped Timothy’s other hand in her soft, delicate palm. “My name is Abby, Great-grandpa. You’re the sweetest old man I’ve ever met. You must have been attractive when you were younger, so I’m certain you’re a decent guy!”
Timothy was taken aback by the two youngsters, and he burst into joyful laughter. He clutched the children’s hands firmly and smiled heartily, tears streaming down his cheeks. “You two are my great-
grandchildren, and the Guajardo family’s heirs. I never imagined this day would arrive.”
He looked up at the sky, and smiled fondly. “Are you seeing this, Maurice? They are Halston and Flossie’s children. The Guajardo and Evertheart families will go on. I can finally face you in the afterlife!”
When Alexander heard this, he grimaced, his eyes wet with unshed tears. “What are you talking about, Dad? We just got reunited with the kids. We should be grateful for this opportunity, so don’t say anything negative. You’re going to live a long life.”
Francine’s eyes welled up with tears as well. “That’s right. You’re still alive and well. You’ve recently reconnected with the children, and you must remain with them until they reach adulthood. You have to see the birth of their grandkids!”
“I know my health best,” Timothy declared, waving his hand and taking a deep breath with difficulty. “I’m already glad you attempted to find me an ideal heart that would allow me to live my life. God has been kind to me in allowing me to live till I see my great-grandchildren. I have no regrets if I die today!”
When Adie overheard this, he couldn’t help but be concerned about Timothy. “Great-grandfather, are you sick?”
“Yes. I’m becoming old, and my body is weakening… But don’t worry,” Timothy remarked as he stroked Adie on the head. “It’s completely natural. Humans will age, and death is both the end and the beginning of life. I feel we will cross paths again for sure.”
Francine frowned and sighed. “Dad, that’s too deep. The kids won’t understand.”
“No. I see what you’re saying.” Adie’s lovely face was serious as he nodded. “Great-grandpa is saying that his life will never end. He will reappear in our lives in a different form.”
“Oh, I understand now!” Abby murmured excitedly, blinking her wide eyes. “One day, Great-grandpa will transform into a star and guard us at night. Or maybe he’ll transform into a tree and protect us from the wind and rain, or transform into a cat and keep us company.”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I mean.” As Timothy listened to them, tears welled up in his eyes, and he felt a surge of pride. “It’s no surprise you’re Flossie’s children. You’re both very intelligent, and your thinking is very mature. Your emotions are also stronger than your father’s. It’s the Guajardo family’s good fortune to have gotten such good genes from the Ellsworth family.”
Alexander was astounded by his grandchildren’s intelligence, but he wasn’t about to give in as he protested feebly, “Dad, Halston’s genes aren’t bad either. If the children supposedly inherited their mother’s emotional intelligence, they must have inherited their father’s intelligence as well.”
“Nonsense!” Timothy rolled his eyes at Alexander. “Did you know Flossie is a top student? She skipped grades and pursued her master’s and doctoral degrees in the most difficult subject, physics. Halston cannot compete with her – he’s only good at business.”
Flossie had wheeled Halston into the living room just as Timothy was criticizing him, and Halston instantly scowled.
“Oh, Flossie, you’re here with Halston! How thoughtful of you!” Francine approached them and joyfully embraced Flossie. She paid no attention to Halston, who was seated in the wheelchair.
“It must have been exhausting for you to drive here while taking care of this nuisance, Flossie. Come and take a seat. Do you want anything to drink?” She guided Flossie to the sofa and sat next to her, then instructed the servant to prepare the best coffee possible.
“I’m not thirsty or tired.” Flossie didn’t have the time to entertain Francine’s excessive cheerfulness as she glanced at Timothy, her eyes teary as she said, “Grandpa Guajardo, I’m sorry for being late. I had no idea…”
When Timothy heard this, he scoffed, “What do you mean by late? I’m still alive and kicking! I can eat two plates of food at the same time, and I’m a great deal stronger than all of you kids put together!”
“That’s good.” Flossie nodded with a wobbly smile, trying to keep her emotions in check.
The kids rushed into her arms to comfort her. “Mommy, don’t be sad. Great-grandpa promised to be a star and protect us.”
“Yes. We’ll all eventually become stars and meet in the sky!” Flossie was touched by her children’s words.
Everyone talked and laughed together, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Only Halston sat alone in the wheelchair, looking depressed. Nobody bothered talking to him or even pushed him around.
“Have you all finished talking? Is anybody going to pay attention to me?” He couldn’t keep his cool any longer. “I hurt my back, you know. Isn’t anybody coming to assist me to move?”
Timothy looked at him and remarked flatly, “You’re a big man. Aren’t you embarrassed to admit that you damaged your back?”
“It’s not like you broke your back,” Alexander scoffed. “What are you whining for?”
