Filed To Story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
Alexander walked over and hugged her shoulders. He whispered some consoling words, “No one can tell who was right or wrong about that affair. We’re already punished. Just act like everything is gone….
“Is it? You’re just trying to make yourself feel better.”
Francine leaned against Alexander’s shoulders, full of melancholy.
“Don’t you think the kids are suffering the consequences of our actions? They love and understand each other but can’t be together. They still can’t get together though they already have Adie and Abby. I wonder if this is a punishment from god.”
“You’re overthinking. There must be something wrong with them since they can’t be a couple. It has nothing to do with us. We didn’t stop them from being together either…” Alexander refused to criticize himself.
Enlightened, he added, “Stop being obstinate. They made their choices. It might be better if they’re separated, given the kind of resentment between both families.”
“Maybe!” Francine closed her eyes and slowly learned to let things take their course.
Of course, she wished to see them make peace. Then, the children would have more time to live with her.
But they were separated for a long time, and did not intend to make peace. Besides, Flossie was about to marry someone else. It seemed like the probability of them getting back together was very low. Anyway, things might not get better even if they made peace.
The problem between them was huge and could not be easily resolved. If that was the case, they couldn’t be happy together.
Halston went upstairs and returned to his room. Then, he gently closed the door but did not turn on the lights. His figure was enveloped in darkness.
Although he had hidden everything about him in the dark, his sadness did not cease in the least.
The engagement news between Flossie and Justin was spread far and wide. Halston had read all about them a few days ago.
They looked like a perfect match on TV. They even attended some in-depth interviews by the mass media. They talked about how they got to know each other and fell in love with each other. They described how they were a perfect match and it was written in the stars. They yearned to spend the rest of their lives together.
Halston knew the media loved to exaggerate things, but he was inevitably heartbroken when he read those words. He would wonder if they had fallen in love with each other based on those words, and if they were a perfect match or soulmates.
After all, Flossie knew Justin before she got to know him. Both Flossie and Justin were top hackers. They were the legendary perfect match in the world of hackers.
It seemed as though they had more to do with each other compared to him…
Time passed by.
It was soon the day for the engagement ceremony between Justin and Flossie.
The Baldwin family held a grand ceremony while adhering to tradition. It was both traditional and romantic.
Flossie put on a red slim-fit silk gown with intricate black and gold embroidery. Her long hair was delicately pinned up, showing off her fair and slender neck. She looked elegant.
“How pretty!”
Margaret stood in front of the vanity table and looked at Flossie, whose face was dolled with exquisite makeup. She looked gratified, as though she were looking at her daughter.
“If your parents saw how pretty and elegant you were, they would be very happy.” Margaret gently placed her hands on Flossie’s shoulders and commented, “You married Mr. Guajardo when I wasn’t around. You must have suffered a lot. But things will get better now… I’ll stay with you and protect you forever. I’ll be your strongest support.”
Back then, Flossie was left alone when her family was ruined. She married Halston without anyone on her side. She must have suffered so much criticism and coldness.
But things were different now.
Rence was not alone like she was back then. She had a lot of supporters and protectors. Now, she had the strongest family.
“Thank you for always staying by my side, Margaret. You raised me. You must be worried about me with so many things that happened these years, and you took great care of the kids. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to you and how much I rely on you.”
Flossie acted like a child and leaned backward into Margaret’s arms coquettishly.
Smiling, she said, “Everyone from the Baldwin family is so nice to me. They won’t let me suffer. You just have to enjoy a great time with me.”
She believed that the Baldwin family would be nice to Margaret since they had accepted anyone related to her. They had accepted her, Quinton, and her two children.
Margaret could stay at North City with her and wouldn’t have to work so hard to take care of the children alone. It was time for her to retire and rest well.
Margaret was stunned when she heard that. “Ms. Flossie, are you planning to move and stay here?”
“L…” After a pause, Flossie nodded honestly. “Yes, I plan to do so.”
“But your business and connections are all at Beach City. Plus, you came from there. Isn’t it too meddlesome to move here? It’ll involve a lot of things. What if…”
Margaret wanted to say that it would be very humiliating if Flossie fell out with the Baldwin family and had to move back to Beach City in the future. However, she held herself back from saying that since it was unlucky to talk about such a thing during Flossie’s engagement ceremony.
Although she did not think highly of their romance, she would unconditionally support Flossie since it was the latter’s choice.
At first, Margaret had thought that Flossie had casually found a replacement. Unexpectedly, Flossie wanted to move to North City. It seemed that she was serious about it.
“What if we get separated in the future?” Flossie said. She could tell why Margaret was confused and finished the rest of the latter’s words.
“Well, yes!” Margaret said.
Margaret decided to be frank since Flossie had said so.
“I can tell that you don’t sincerely love Mr. Baldwin. Your marriage is just a way to avoid reality. Why are you so harsh on yourself if that’s the case? Now, you’re making such a big fuss about moving here. If you fail to get along with him and have to return to Beach City in the future, many people will gossip about you. They’ll say nasty things about you. Why do you have to put yourself in such a condition?”
“Margaret, you don’t understand…”
Flossie looked at herself in the mirror. She looked very charming, like a bride in ancient paintings. Everyone would be charmed by her-including herself.
She knew very well that she was the one taking the lead in her romance with Justin. They could go on forever as long as she didn’t end it. She was just afraid she could not hold on and wanted to stop, and the only reason that she wanted to stop was probably because of Halston.
“If I stay in Beach City, I’ll come across Halston. I know that I don’t have much self-control. I might waver again if I see him, meet him, or say something to him. So…”
“So, you chose to leave the city where he stays to prevent that.” Margaret instantly understood Flossie’s thoughts and felt sorry for the latter.
Flossie looked at Margaret and smiled bitterly. She lowered her head, filled with guilt.
“Don’t you think I’m a disappointment and disloyal? He cheated on me, but I can’t forget about him. I can only solve the problem by avoiding it.”
“Not at all!” Margaret hugged Flossie and gently patted her head. “You’re loyal and passionate. Of course you can’t forget about him easily.”
“Yes. I won’t miss him if I don’t see him. Maybe time can help me forget about him and let it go!” A sigh escaped Flossie and said weakly, “This is the only method I can come up with.”
She could guarantee that she would never get in touch with him again, but could not guarantee that she would not waver when he got in touch with her.
Since she had no confidence to control herself, she would cut off all her ties with him just like how she ran away to Sun Island back then. She escaped to a place where she would have nothing to do with him.
North City was a place the Guajardo family could not meddle with.
“If you’ve made up your mind, just go with it. I stand by what I said and will unconditionally support you.”
After learning about Flossie’s thoughts, Margaret decisively chose to support Flossie.
“Don’t worry about the kids. They’re sensible and great at adapting to the environment. I’ll talk to them more. I’m sure they’ll be willing to move here.”
“I’ve wronged them.” Flossie closed her eyes sadly. “I kept bringing them to different places from when they were born. They finally got used to Beach City but had to move to North City. I’ve failed them as their mother.”
“Don’t say that. Your kids should stay with you.” Margaret tried to comfort Flossie. “Okay, this is your engagement ceremony. You should be happy. Stop overthinking.”
Flossie was done getting ready.
As her closest friend, Leia came to North City with Liam immediately.
The engagement ceremony was held in a magnificent hall of a top hotel. The guests arrived one by one and chatted among themselves. It was a luxurious and grand scene.
“Flossie, I’m sorry I’m late!” Leia arrived at the hotel suite where Flossie was waiting. She put her hands together to express her apology. “It’s Liam’s fault! He was out of his mind and insisted on not coming here, but I forced him to and took some time. Please don’t be mad at me!”
“Silly, I won’t be mad at you. Plus, this ceremony doesn’t carry much meaning. The Baldwin family just needs this as an assurance. It doesn’t matter even if you’re absent.”
Flossie looked indifferent and was not at all happy and eager like a bride-to-be.
The engagement ceremony was held to announce to the world about the relationship between her and Flossie. In all honesty, Flossie was resistant to it. She did not want her family or friends to attend, either.
“I told you. This ceremony isn’t simple. She’s used as a tool, and nd I don’t want to help them make it happen.” Liam crossed his arms and looked annoyed.
He was more sensitive than Leia and could tell why the Baldwin family did such a thing given how grand the ceremony was. The ceremony gave him an uncomfortable vibe as if they were trying to force Flossie to say yes.
He had always admired Flossie, but she was forced to get married to someone. He was annoyed with the Baldwin family’s plot and disappointed in Flossie.
“Liam, today is Flossie’s engagement ceremony. Can you please watch your tongue? You make it sound like Flossie is about to risk her life. Why did you say that?”
Leia glared at Liam with displeasure before taking hold of Flossie’s arm.
“Flossie, don’t take him seriously! He’s out of his mind and can’t say nice things. I’ve already taught him a lesson while coming here, but he didn’t recognize his mistake. I’m so mad!”
“No, Liam’s right. This ceremony is just for show. You don’t have to take it seriously.” Flossie calmly adjusted her red coral earrings as if she were an actress about to perform. She calmly said, “Just take it as a gathering.”
“Sure.” Defeated, Leia hugged Flossie. “Have you made up your mind to announce your marriage? You don’t seem that eager or happy. Why force yourself to do such a thing?”
Flossie raised her brows and replied calmly, “I’m not, but I’m not that eager.”
Liam was leaning against the wall, silent. Finally, he could not help but ask coldly, “Then why did you agree to such a thing?”
Flossie exposed the reason why she chose to marry Justin. “I just want to have a steady and calm life. I want to be myself.”
“Then you can marry whoever you want! You don’t have to get married and settle down in such a far place. If worse comes to worst….” After a pause, Liam joked, “You can take me as a replacement!”
When he suggested that, everyone felt awkward.
Leia felt so awkward that she wanted to run away.
“Hey, can you stop flattering yourself? You haven’t settled your messy romance, so please don’t get Flossie involved. You shouldn’t joke like that!”
Similarly, Liam found his joke impudent and admitted to his mistake. “Yeah, I was wrong. Don’t take my joke seriously.”
Both Flossie and Leia were amused. It helped relieve their tension.
“But have you thought it through? After this ceremony, you’ll be a part of the Baldwin family. You can’t regret it by then,” Liam said; he was worried about Flossie.
Everyone knew the Baldwin family’s style. They had such a grand ceremony today. If anything went wrong, the Ellsworth family might be ruined for the second time. Although nobody knew who would win the battle, the trouble could be avoided. Liam was clueless as to why Flossie wanted to take such a risk.
“Yes, I have.” Flossie nodded and added firmly, “I’d thought it through the moment I boarded the plane with Justin to fly here,”
It was the last chance she had given to Halston. She hoped he would appear and take her back to Beach City. As long as he did, she would trust and forgive him unconditionally regardless of the explanation he gave.
Unfortunately, she had flattered herself.
Liam carefully exposed the news that he had heard about. “I heard the Guajardo family is invited to this party too, and that they’re coming.”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.