Chapter 337: What’s That Big Sister’s Name?
Isla Griffith chatted with Granny Foster for a while, then returned to the inner room and lay on the bed to rest.
The wind outside rustled gently through the treetops. Avenia was so quiet that not a hint of clamor could be heard, like a secluded paradise.
The sunlight filtering through the window felt warm on her skin—not harsh, but wonderfully comfortable.
Isla’s body and mind relaxed, and she gradually grew drowsy. Before long, she fell asleep and had a dream that was at once vivid and distant.
In the dream, there were no cold barriers, no scornful glances, no vicious schemes.
Sean Sterling, dressed in a sharp suit, was on one knee, the diamond ring in his hand refracting a gentle light.
His eyes were filled with deep affection as he looked at Isla, his tone reverent. "Isla, please marry me. I will love you for a lifetime and my heart will never waver."
Isla’s eyes grew misty, and she nodded yes.
What followed was a wedding of the utmost luxury and grandeur.
Crystal chandeliers filled the grand hall, roses and white tulle lined the aisle, and the red carpet was long and brilliant.
The seats were filled with guests, and a chorus of blessings rose from the crowd. Everyone gazed at her with envy.
Simon Sterling and Yvonne Donovan stood by their side, genuine smiles on their faces, treating her with a warmth and affection as if she were their own daughter.
There was no prejudice about her background, no scorn or contempt, and not a hint of rejection.
Married life was stable and sweet, and everything went smoothly. Sean loved her with all his being, spoiled her rotten, and her in-laws treated her wonderfully.
Before long, Isla was thrilled to discover she was pregnant.
Sean temporarily resigned from his position at the company to stay home, never leaving her side to care for her. The entire family treated her like she was made of glass.
After ten months of anticipation, two sharp cries echoed from the delivery room.
A healthy boy and girl were born, fraternal twins.
The little boy had his father’s eyes, and the little girl looked just like her mother.
She held her soft, warm babies, the realness of their touch filling her heart with happiness.
"My darlings, Mommy loves you."
This was the life she had always dreamed of: a loving husband, children, and a happy family.
The dream felt so real, so warm and blissful, that Isla allowed herself to sink into it, unwilling to wake.
The moment she lowered her head to gently kiss her baby’s soft forehead, the entire scene abruptly shattered and disappeared.
The brilliant lights suddenly went out, gentle smiles turned to cold mockery, and the luxurious hall came crashing down.
In their place was the check Yvonne Donovan had thrown at her, Simon Sterling’s contemptuous sneer, and the soul-crushing pain of losing her child—a pain she could never forget...
"My baby, my baby!"
Isla Griffith jolted awake, bolting upright in bed. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air.
A cold sweat beaded on her forehead and soaked her back. Her heart hammered against her ribs as if it would break free.
Outside the window lay the same peaceful, cozy courtyard. The room’s simple, neat furnishings were a stark reminder that the warm, perfect life she’d just experienced was nothing more than a fleeting dream.
Tears streamed down Isla’s face. She wrapped her arms around her trembling body, her heart twisting in agony.
’So, deep in my subconscious, I’ve always been hiding that unspoken hope.’
’The hope for a wedding that was truly blessed, for Sean’s parents to put aside their prejudice and accept me, for the chance to safely give birth to our child, for a truly warm home.’
’But what reality gave me was humiliating disgrace and a heart-shattering loss.’
’Those once-beautiful memories have all turned into thorns in my heart, aching at the slightest touch.’
Isla slowly lowered her head, burying her face in her hands and choking back sobs.
The more real the happiness in the dream, the sharper the sting of reality.
She didn’t know how long she cried. Tears soaked her palms, slid through the gaps between her fingers, and dripped onto the blanket.
The wind outside remained soft, the treetops swayed gently, and sunlight cast dappled patterns of light and shadow through the window frame.
Isla loosened her clenched fists, revealing a tear-stained face. Her eyes were vacant—devoid of light, shadow, and color—holding nothing but a gray, desolate emptiness.
The tranquility of Avenia was meant to be her sanctuary, a haven from her pain.
But now, she understood. Some wounds could not be outrun, no matter how far she fled.
The extravagant hopes and desires she had deliberately buried had never truly vanished. They had only been pushed down into the deepest corner of her heart, only to be laid bare by a beautiful dream.
...
「Aston.」
The streets, lined with towering skyscrapers, were a ceaseless river of traffic. Even the wind whipping between the office buildings carried the city’s unique, frantic pace.
It was a world away from the tranquil, leisurely Avenia.
Finn Foster had just finished his work for the morning. The meeting had gone smoothly, and his ideas and proposals had earned the unanimous approval of the company and his colleagues.
Now, he was ready to make a real splash.
As Finn Foster walked out the company’s main entrance and stepped off the stairs, he immediately spotted two familiar figures standing on the side of the street.
He rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn’t seeing things, and then happily hurried toward them.
"Wren! Adrian!"
Wren Sutton and Adrian Lancaster turned around at the same time, surprised to see Finn Foster.
"Finn," Wren said, looking at him in surprise.
"Wren, Adrian, what a coincidence! This is the first time I’ve run into you two right outside my office." Finn was cheerful and unabashed, his voice full of the warmth and familiarity of family.
"Adrian, I was just about to call and thank you. I refined that idea you gave me, and the company approved it. The boss told me to draft a proposal as soon as possible and put me in charge of the whole project."
Adrian Lancaster clapped his shoulder, pleased and encouraging.
"I told you that you had a lot of potential. Keep up the good work, and you’ll definitely succeed."
Finn was brimming with motivation and confidence, radiating the defiant, trailblazing spirit of youth.
"Thanks, Adrian. I’ll work hard and live up to your expectations."
After he said this, he suddenly noticed Wren Sutton’s eyes were red and swollen. There were faint dark circles around them, and she looked exhausted.
The smile on his face froze. "Wren, you don’t look so good," he said with concern. "Did something happen?"
Wren’s nose stung, and she didn’t try to hide the truth.
"My best friend is missing. We’ve been searching for almost two days and still haven’t heard anything."
Finn immediately grew anxious. Wren’s best friend was like an older sister to him, too.
"Did you report it to the police?"
"The police are actively searching." Wren shook her head, her voice low with despair. She sighed. "But there’s been no news at all."
Finn immediately offered to help. "What’s her name? What does she look like? I can help look for her. Every extra person helps."
He genuinely wanted to help; he wasn’t just paying lip service.