No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Looking in the mirror, I tried hard to smile, reminding myself that I needed to be happy and cheerful, aiming for happiness every day.

As I descended the stairs, Jacqueline had whipped up breakfast and swapped the living room's décor to the festive ones we only use for Christmas.

"Felicia, come right back once you and Conrad finish the paperwork. We'll celebrate properly and hash out the wedding details," Jacqueline seemed more excited than I was.

"Sure!" I replied.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Jacqueline looked at me. "You look stunning today. A white coat would have been more striking."

"I'm wearing a white dress already," I explained.

Don't sweat her old-school tips. Times have changed-colors aren't a big deal now. Felicia, just wear what you feel great in. Ignore Jacqueline's advice." Herschel interrupted, changing his tune for me.

I smiled, feeling a warmth in my heart.

Jacqueline pulled me to the dining table, and besides the usual lavish breakfast, there were two eggs and a sausage arranged in a way that made my cheeks flush.

Before I could ask, Jacqueline whispered, "This is an old family tradition, meant to wish you and Conrad a child soon. It's not about preferring boys over girls, just hoping you two will have kids quickly, regardless of gender."

My face turned red, and looking at the eggs and sausage on the table, I found them hard to eat.

"Just symbolically eat a bit," Jacqueline said as she sat down, peeling an egg for me and handing it over.

I couldn't refuse her expectation, so with flushed cheeks, I took a bite of each and buried my head in my cereal.

I didn't realize Conrad wasn't there until I almost finished. "Jacqueline, where's Conrad?"

"He didn't come down yet?" Jacqueline said as we heard footsteps from the stairs. Conrad came down then.

I couldn't be sure, but it looked like his gaze just kind of fell.

A sudden heaviness dropped in my heart as he approached. "Felicia, I consulted with Master Mathew about the timing. He said 10:58 am would be the best for us to do the paperwork, so we don't need to hurry."

"Oh," I replied softly, the joy in my heart fading.

I knew of Master Mathew, Conrad's spiritual advisor.

Jacqueline and Herschel quickly agreed, "Best to listen to the master."

Conrad sat down to eat, quickly finishing the hearty breakfast. While he wasn't devouring his food, he ate faster than usual.

Jacqueline passed him the remaining eggs and sausage without a word, and he ate them without question.

"Felicia, wait for me at home. I need to prepare something," he said mysteriously.

Jacqueline winked at me, hinting it was a surprise for me.

Thinking of the reward he mentioned the night before, I watched him leave, then headed upstairs.

But no sooner had I taken off my coat than my phone rang. It was Ivan, "Morning, Ms. Hudson, congratulations."

It seemed Ivan knew Conrad and I were getting married.

I smiled, "Morning, Ivan. What's up?"

"Ms. Hudson, I've sent you an address. Can you come over? I'm waiting here. Mr. Wagner has a gift for you," Ivan said, his tone laced with mystery. "Sure!" I replied and hung up.

Arriving at Crystal Bay Villas, Ivan

was there waiting for me. Without a

word, he handed me a set of keys, and Drealized Conrad's gift was a house.

He understood me and knew I yearned for my own space no matter how good things were with the Wagher family. My heart was enveloped in sweet, warm, and slightly tangy emotions as if bitten by a tiny bug.

set

I unlocked the door with a joyful heart, and the bright interior dazzled me. Stepping in, one foot in the door, a familiar figure emerged from the bedroom.

Seeing Haley in her pajamas, I froze on the spot.