Chapter 18
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Gill. I didn’t know… I mean, I’d never dare to trouble Ms. Decker. I’m sorry!”
The young man flushed bright red. His “twisted ankle” seemed to miraculously heal, and he dashed off faster than a rabbit.
Evangeline turned to Sterling with a smile. “Thanks for the rescue.”
She didn’t think much of it. After all, there was no romantic relationship between her and Sterling. He must have simply been helping out.
Having worked with Sterling, Evangeline had come to realize just how kind he was. He wasn’t just a flawless face. He was patient, gentle, and compassionate. Being around him was not only easy on the eyes but also incredibly comforting.
Sterling, however, gave her a sly smile. “It’s my duty to help my fiancée.”
“What?” Evangeline was utterly stunned.
At Sterling’s suggestion, they returned to the Decker residence.
Kayden and Eliza stammered, but they couldn’t hide their excitement.
“Well… you see, the Gills were our neighbors back then. You two got along so well that we couldn’t resist arranging a marriage,” Kayden admitted sheepishly.
“When the Gill family moved overseas, we figured young people these days prefer choosing their own partners, so we didn’t bring it up,” Eliza added with a nervous laugh. Evangeline dug into her childhood memories and vaguely recalled a playmate.
That playmate had been strikingly beautiful, almost doll–like, and for years, Evangeline had assumed that person was a girl. She hadn’t expected it to be Sterling
As she looked closer, his features did resemble what she remembered. But now, they were fully matured, becoming entirely masculine and strikingly handsome.
Kayden carefully said, “Now that our plot has been exposed-”
“What plot, darling? That sounds awful,” Eliza corrected. “Since the deed is done, why not just give it a thought, Eva?”
Evangeline was at a loss for words.
The phrase “the deed is done” didn’t sound much better, and it was rather inappropriate. After all, her relationship with Sterling was completely innocent. Sterling addressed her parents with sincerity, “Mr. Decker, Mrs. Decker, Eva just learned about this as well. If you permit, I’d like to officially court her.” Kayden joked, “I’ll reluctantly agree!”
“You’d better work hard at it,” Eliza said with a smile.
Faced with her parents‘ unanimous support and Sterling’s earnestness, Evangeline couldn’t help but ask the question on her mind. “Why did you agree to star in my short drama in the first place?”
Sterling’s expression immediately turned serious. “I swear, it was purely because I admired your talent.”
Thinking back to his understanding of the script and how perfectly he fit the role, Evangeline chose to believe him.
The weight in her heart eased.
With the Deckers‘ blessing, Sterling began his pursuit of Evangeline. He made no effort to hide his feelings from the world.
Evangeline couldn’t help but reflect on the stark contrast between Sterling’s openness and the secrecy of her five–year marriage to Joseph.
She realized that when someone truly loved her, they couldn’t wait to share that love with the world.
Sterling’s unwavering and genuine love gradually won her over. Eventually, she decided to share her past life’s experiences with him. It didn’t feel right to keep her history a secret when he was so open with her.
If he found her past troubling, Evangeline would understand.
But Sterling didn’t seem to mind at all. All he had in his eyes was concern–concern for the days she’d been hurt–when he hadn’t been there to stand by her side.
“Thankfully, we still have the future. Will you give me the chance to share it with you?” he asked softly.
Evangeline smiled from the bottom of her heart. “Yes.” She placed her hand in his.
From that moment on, Evangeline knew she had someone who loved her wholeheartedly.
With Sterling by her side, she never suffered another moment of injustice.
They were equally matched in their careers as well. Every project they collaborated on became a massive success.
Their first film together achieved results so outstanding that it secured a place in cinematic history.
Evangeline realized that good relationships would uplift both partners and allow them to grow together.
At the film’s celebration party, Sterling proposed to Evangeline in front of everyone, and she accepted with a radiant smile.
The news of their engagement lit up every headline, accompanied by waves of well–wishes.
From the very start, their love had been open and full of joy.
As the farailies began planning the wedding, an unexpected visitor appeared—her old system.
“I’m sorry, Evangeline, Joseph has developed a way to communicate with me and is demanding your return. Could you go back and tell him to let go?”
Evangeline’s immediate reaction was refusal. To her, Joseph was a distant memory. She had no desire to be entangled with him again.
But the system presented two reasons that made her reconsider.
First, Joseph’s affection for her had reached 100 points. This fulfilled her wish to become healthy. Their relationship had created a bond that needed closure. Ignoring it might affect her life
in this world.
Second, the system was desperate for her help. If she didn’t return, Joseph’s relentless research and rage might soon result in the system’s destruction.
Evangeline didn’t keep the situation from her parents or Sterling, “I’ve thought it through. I need to go back for the sake of closure,” she said.
Kayden, Eliza, and Sterling all understood this, but they couldn’t bring themselves to let her go alone. They insisted on accompanying her.
1
At first, the system refused, but eventually, they offered so much money that the system had no choice but to report to the higher–ups. Finally, it agreed to their request.
Moreover, thanks to their financial Influence, they activated a new feature. All four of them could enter Joseph’s world, bringing everything from the real world with them. This time, Evangeline wouldn’t be alone, joseph would never again have the chance to harm het.
