After dinner, Xylia and Joshua each returned to their own homes.


    Xylia appeared calm, butte at night, she was still jolted awake by a nightmare.


    She dreamed of events that had happened abroad many years ago, dreamed of the small dark room in the attic of the Ford Mansion, and dreamed of that warehouse filled with a foul stench.


    Xylia sat up and turned on the bedsidemp. It took a long while for her to calm down.


    She picked up her phone, intending to scroll through some videos to ease her mood, and saw two messages.


    One was from her biological older brother. [We talked about it, and we’ve decided toe to Jupiton and bring you home.]


    The words “bring you home” sent a warm rush through Xylia’s chest.


    The second message was from Joshua, sent just a minute ago. [I’ve hidden a surprise for you in the living room. If you can’t sleep, go take a look.]


    Her curiosity was piqued, and the faint fear she felt earlier began to fade. She turned on the living room light. The soft yellow glow of the ceiling lights made the room feel warm and cozy.


    She looked around but didn’t notice anything unusual. Just as she was about to ask Joshua, she noticed that the drawing board she had left in the living room had been moved.


    She walked over and saw a small box ced beside it. Confused, she picked up the box. The moment she opened it, her tears nearly spilled over.


    It was the pendant her grandmother had given her.


    The pendant had been shattered by Tessa. Xylia had carefully collected the broken pieces. She never imagined it could be repaired.


    She picked it up, her hands trembling, as she feared dropping it again.


    The pendant had been restored. There were faint traces of repair on the patterns, but the pieces fit perfectly together, making it look whole again.


    Her phone buzzed again–another message from Joshua. [Did you see it?]


    Xylia’s eyes blurred, and finally, the tears began to flow. [I saw it. Thank you.]


    [Could you please open the door?] Joshua asked.


    Xylia held the pendant tightly and, almost instinctively, rushed to open the door.


    Joshua, who had been worried about her nightmares, looked at her face streaked with tears, and a flicker of panic appeared in his eyes.


    20 vouchers


    Before he could say anything else, Xylia threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly. Joshua stiffened, his mind going nk for a moment.


    “Thank you, Joshua. Thank you so much,” Xylia said.


    The pendant her grandmother had given her was the only link she had to her. She had once tried to fix it, but the pieces were too small, and she didn’t have the skill. She had failed.


    She never imagined Joshua would repair it for her. She was deeply moved.


    Joshua’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. His hands hovered in the air, unsure, as he didn’t dare to return her


    embrace.


    The warmth of her soft body pressed against him, and the faint scent enveloped him<b>, </b>causing his face to flush and his heart to race.


    He had always been cautious, never daring to hope for more with Xylia, afraid of scaring her. But now, with her in his arms, he couldn’t control himself. He was dying to marry her and bring her home.


    Fortunately, Xylia quickly regained herposure. She pulled away from Joshua. By then, Joshua had already collected himself, smiling gently at her.


    Xylia, realizing what she had just done, felt a blush rise on her face. “I’m sorry, I got a little too emotional.”


    “It’s okay, I don’t mind.” Joshua’s smile remained warm. He even wanted to hold her a little longer. But he knew he couldn’t be too forward. He had finally gotten this close to her, and he couldn’t risk ruining it now.


    Xylia held the pendant in her hand, her eyes full of wonder. “How did you fix it?”


    Joshua smiled. “When you were moving, I identally saw the pendant fragments. Since you kept them, I figured it must be important. I’ve learned a bit about jewelry repair, so fixing it wasn’t too difficult.”


    Xylia’s eyes lit up. “You know jewelry repair?”


    Joshua nodded. “Just a little.”


    It was all thanks to Eliza. She was a jewelry appraiser who could also repair jewelry. Joshua had learned by working alongside her.


    He looked at Xylia and saw the excitement and gratitude in her eyes. There was no fear in them. Only then did he feel reassured. “I still owe you an apology for taking your pendant without asking.”


    Xylia shook her head. “You have already helped me a great deal.”


    They stood at the door, talking. The night breeze whispered through the windows, making a soft whooshing


    sound.


    Only then did Xylia realize she hadn’t invited him inside. But it waste, and it didn’t feel quite appropriate for a man and a woman to be alone at this hour.


    She hesitated for a moment, and <b>just </b><b>as </b>she was about to speak, Joshua spoke first<b>. </b>“I just wanted <i>to </i>see your


    E 20 vouchers


    reaction. Now that I’ve seen it, I’ll head back. You should get some <b>rest</b><b>.” </b>


    Xylia looked at him. “Thank you, Joshua.” This was the third time she had thanked him tonight.


    Joshua looked a bit helpless<b>, </b>his eyes warm as <b>he </b>gazed at her. His charming eyes sparkled under the light from inside. The smile on his lips carried a yful undertone.


    He leaned slightly forward, meeting her gaze. “I told you, I’ll ask for it back.”


    The crisp scent of his cologne filled Xylia’s senses. While she was momentarily stunned, he had already opened the door to his apartment and gone inside.


    Xylia stood at the door for a few seconds, smiled, put the pendant away, and entered. She would repay Joshua for his kindness.


    *****


    The next day, at the Ford Mansion, Orion’s condition had worsened. The doctor suggested hospitalization, but Orion refused, insisting on staying at home.


    Connor entered Orion’s bedroom, holding the medicine. Orion shifted his gaze from the family photo in his hand to Connor’s face.


    Connor handed the medicine to Orion. “Grandpa, Dad is already on his way back and will arrive tonight.”


    At this moment, Orion looked even thinner and more haggard than before. His gaze, no longer sharp, now seemed softer.


    He looked at Connor Ford and said calmly, “Connor, it seems I made a wrong move this time.”


    Connor followed Orion’s gaze to the family photo, which included Xylia. He understood his grandfather’s unspoken words.


    “Grandpa, don’t worry. Xylia doesn’t want to divorce me. In half a month, it’ll be the anniversary of her grandma’s passing. To avoid upsetting her grandmother, Xylia will still visit the memorial as the Ford family’s daughter–inw,” Connor said.


    This was Xylia’s grandmother’s wish–to see Xylia live happily with him. Xylia loved her grandmother and would never let her worry. So she was only sulking, hoping he wouldfort her more.


    Orion let out a sigh and said, “Let’s hope so.”


    <b>12:08 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>15