Chapter 16
She looked at me, and I looked back at her.
Neither of us said a word.
I was just mentioning something in passing, who knew Rowan had such a good memory?
Viola chuckled, raising her wine glass, “Well, that’s all in the past. Here’s to… to both of you, may your love last a lifetime!”
Rowan gave a slight smile, “Thank you.”
After the toast, I scurried behind Rowan, muttering under my breath, “Why did you have to bring that up? It’s all ancient history.”
He laughed, saying, “I was curious.”
“Really curious?” I teased.
“Yep.”
I hesitated for a moment before grinning, “Come closer, I’ll whisper it to you.”
I leaned in and murmured a secret into his ear.
Rowan’s eyebrows lifted, amusement dancing in his eyes.
I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt, “What if she really did that and dragged me along? Mr. Crawford, wouldn’t you be embarrassed? Hahaha…”
The room echoed with my joyful laughter.
Rowan just watched me, his gaze as tender as a soft summer breeze.
After the wedding, guests were free to enjoy themselves at the beachfront resort.
In the evening, I swapped my wedding dress for something comfortable and pulled on a floppy sun hat. With Rowan holding my hand, I skipped along the sandy beach.
“You always said you’d take me to the beach, and we never came,” I said, kicking up sand.
“When was that?” he asked, curiously.
“Oh! When you were 38,” I replied without thinking.
Rowan frowned slightly, murmuring, “That’s a bit old.”
“Not at all!” I smacked my lips thoughtfully. “You were still handsome at 38, just a bit quieter, more reserved.”
At 38, Rowan had a steadiness that made him irresistibly attractive.
Rowan seemed lost in thought, and his replies during our conversation were occasionally distracted.
Later that night, as soon as I entered the bedroom, I was “detained.”
A dangerous aura enveloped me, his warm chest against my back sent shivers down my spine.
Click. I was locked in.
Rowan’s voice, usually cool, was now tinged with desire, “Does that old man know you as well as I do?”
I paused, suddenly realizing what had been bothering him all day. He was jealous.
I burst out laughing, “Hey, you-”
Rowan cupped my chin, his eyes in the mirror seemed to hook into mine.
“Couldn’t resist a tease?” he chuckled softly, “That’s because he couldn’t manage it…”
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“Don’t say that.”
“You’re defending him?”
His voice was dripping with jealousy.
“No, it’s not that,” I protested, exasperated. “When you remember this ten years from now, will you still feel the need to prove yourself?”
Rowan paused, then seriously replied, “In principle, yes.”
“And while you two were competing, who had to suffer? Me…”
He ignored me, still gazing at my reflection, “I really wish that old man could see this…”
I covered my face in embarrassment, “Stop it.”
Rowan silenced me with a kiss, whispering with undeniable possession, “Sonia, you are mine.”
That night might have been the most emotionally charged moment of my life.
I had to concede that he was more impressive than the 38–year–old man of the past, and yet, he kept reaffirming that he was still quite impressive.
As the night deepened, moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on his face. Rowan was asleep.
I gently touched his face, warmth spreading in my heart.
There were countless times when I held the hand of the 38–year–old Rowan and sighed, “If only we had been together sooner.”
For a whole decade, we lived as two miserable strangers.
During those years, I think I might have developed feelings for him. On those nights when he quietly tucked me in, there were moments when I wanted to hold him tight and say: “let’s make up.”
But the accident with Miles had always been a thorn in my heart.
Those feelings I barely admitted to myself always surfaced at the worst times, stabbing painfully into my consciousness.
Reminding me that Rowan had once “harmed” my family.
Perhaps it was the prolonged repression, so when the misunderstandings cleared, love surged forth, allowing me to enjoy a brief yet romantic period of passion.
I liked him longer than I had ever realized.
“Sonia, why are you awake…”
Rowan’s voice, still heavy with sleep, broke the silence.
I cupped his face, leaning in to leave a soft kiss on his lips.
“I love you.”
Underneath my hand, his heart began to race wildly again.
This man is still so easy to tease.
“I love you too.” He caught my fleeing lips, taking control, deepening the kiss.
His sudden intensity caught me off guard.
“Hey, you… what’s up?”
“I had a dream,” he murmured.
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10.22 G
Chapter 16
“What?”
Rowan opened his eyes, a storm of unreadable emotions swirling within them.
“I dreamt of our past lives.”
I held my breath, asking, “Really?”
“Yeah,” he brushed aside my disheveled hair, looking at me as if I were a treasure, “Sonia, I’m so grateful we
have another chance.”
The night stretched on, the moon shy, the wind entwined.
Warm scents floated, the curtains stirred gently, ringing the chime in the corner.
It was the sound of hearts beating in rhythm.
I became a gentle sea, embracing the moon, whispering softly, “When did you start liking me? Was it at the wedding?”
The moon replied, “No, I’ve liked you for a very long time.”
(The End)
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