Chapter 88 A Wish to Meet
Lily had entered college at fifteen.
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Because she was so much younger than her ssmates, they always treated her like a little sister–friendly, but never close.
Outside of school, she used to have a few good friends.
But after Mathilda returned to the Ginger family, all of those so–called friends quickly became Mathilda’s.
Worse, they fawned over the newly returned “true daughter.” going so far as to bully Lily just to earn favor.
She had gone to a college roommate’s wedding once, but after graduation, everyone scattered to different cities. They gradually lost contact.
It had been a very, very long time since Lily had any real friends.
“I… I’m not in Capital City right now.”
After hesitating for a while, Lily decided that she’d wait until she was truly ready before meeting James in
person.
“After the New Year. When I get back from my hometown, I’ll <b>treat </b>you to a meal.”
Reading that she wasn’t in Capital City made James feel unexpectedly disappointed.
A part of him even wanted to track her down, to find her no matter where she was.
But he held back. If he pushed too hard, he might scare her <b>off</b>.
After the New Year…
Only twenty days <b>away</b>.
Twenty days, and he’d get to meet her.
Lily hated lying–especially to a friend.
But she had just lied to James.
She wasn’t out of town. She <b>was </b>still in Capital City. And that made her feel deeply ashamed.
In <b>an </b>attempt to make up for it, she started sending him red envelopes–five of them <b>in </b><b>a </b>row, <b>each </b>for
200 dors.
<b>James </b>had just been about to ask when exactly they’d meet when his phone was suddenly bombarded with transfer notifications.
Then several more inessages followed:
James. New Year’s almost here. Happy <b>New </b>Year in advance <b>Here’s </b>a little money–get yourself something Kastyllin turning into <b>a </b><b>rich </b>girl. I’ll send you even more next time!?
Chapter 88 A Wish to Meet
James blinked.
Then <b>a </b>warmth bloomed slowly in his chest.
Never in <b>his </b>life had he imagined that one day, a girl would send him New Year money.
He opened them one by <b>one </b>five red envelopes, totaling 1,000 dors.
To be honest, it was the smallest New Year money he had ever received.
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From his grandparents, red envelopes usually contained bank cards, property deeds, <b>or </b>shares–figures measured in billions.
Transfers from nc or <b>Nancy </b>were always followed by long strings of zeroes.
But none of them <b>had </b>ever made him feel as happy as this 1,000 dors.
He didn’t even pretend to refuse it. Instead, he replied simply:
“Mm. Happy New Year. See you after <b>the </b>holiday.”
After all, once he divorced Lily, everything that was his would belong to her. There was no need for polite formalities between them.
“See you after the holiday.”
They exchanged a few more messages before calling it a night.
Lily felt a strange mix of anxiety and anticipation.
What does James look like?
He was probably the serious, uptight type. A stern old–fashioned guy.
Maybe even balding<b>? </b>
Beer belly<b>? </b>
Well, whatever he looked like, she had already decided–he would still be her friend. She wasn’t shallow enough to judge by appearances!
After dinner, Lily spent some time chatting with Grace <b>and </b>Nancy before <b>heading </b>back upstairs.
Afraid she’d identally “offend” James again, she was <b>extra </b>cautious tonight. She didn’t even dare <b>wear </b>her usual sleepwear <b>and </b>chose full–length <b>pajamas </b>instead.
Normally she couldn’t sleep when dressed so heavily, but tonight, her thoughts were filled with imagining <b>what </b>James <b>looked </b>like–and she fell asleep surprisingly fast.
James returnedte after being called to the study by nc.
When he stepped back into the bedroom, Lily was already fast asleep, curled up under the soff light
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19.23 Fri, 18 Jul
Chapter 88 A Wish to Meet
He looked down–and saw her nket had been kicked to the floor again.
The Luke estate maintained a springlike climate year–round, but the temperature did dip at night. Sleeping like that could easily get her sick.
The nket <b>on </b>the floor was an eyesore.
<b>But </b>with Le in his heart, James didn’t want any physical contact with Lily.
So in the end, he simply turned away and left for the study, ignoring her.
As the night deepened, James instinctively sent Le a “Good night” message andid down to rest.
That night, he dreamed of her.
She stood in a misty field, her voice soft and sweet, “James, I finally get to see you. I’m so happy.”
“Mm.
His <b>voice </b>was calm, but inside, the yearning roared like a tide.
Even he, normally soposed, couldn’t hold <b>himself </b>back. He sprinted toward her like <b>a </b>man possessed -like a gale–force wind.
<b>And </b>finally, with all his strength, he wrapped her tightly in his arms<b>. </b>
“<b>James</b>, I missed you so much all these years. Did you miss me?”
“Mm.”
His voice remained faint.
He wanted to maintain his usual steadiness, that perfect control.
But with her in his arms–body warm, breath mingling–hisposure began to crumble,
Chapter 89 Dreamscars
Chapter 89 Dreamscars