Chapter 23
Lance and Sylvie returned to Presworth. They stopped in front of a lavish, stunning villa. Vibrant, blooming roses lined the entrance, enhancing the charm of the two–story home.
The villa’s door slowly opened, and a woman wearing a Cravonian–style dress stepped outside.
Lance’s mother, Rita Blythe, smiled and took Sylvie’s hand. “We finally get to meet you, Sylvie. The whole family’s been curious about the woman Lance won’t stop talking about, and now we get to see you in person.”
Rita slid the emerald bracelet off her wrist and onto Sylvie’s. “Now that I’ve met you, I can’t help but like you too.”
“Come in!” she said, excitedly pulling Sylvie inside. “Oh no, the food’s still on the stove!”
With a laugh, Rita tapped her forehead and hurried off.
A mountain dog–Donut–came running over at the sound and started circling Sylvie excitedly. Then, he obediently lay before her, placing one large paw on her shoe.
Donut kept sniffing her fingers before suddenly jumping into her arms affectionately. Since he was fully grown, his weight was too much for her, and she ended up getting knocked over.
“Donut!”
Lance hurried over to pull the dog away but noticed Sylvie had started crying with Donut in her arms.
“Remy…”
It had been years since Sylvie had felt the warmth of a dog, and she couldn’t help thinking of Remy. Seeing her tears, Donut grew anxious, pacing around as if he was afraid he’d hurt her.
Sylvie quickly reassured Donut, and only then did he settle down, gently licking the tears off her face. Laughing, she playfully begged for mercy.
Lance helped Sylvie up and gave her a helpless smile. “Sylvie, I’m not sure you’ll be able to get used to my family.”
Sylvie hugged him and grinned. “I love your home! It’s warm and full of life!”
Lance’s father, Gilbert Yule, had gotten off work early to meet them. The moment he opened the door, he pulled Sylvie into a warm hug. He was a tall, handsome Fremorian with deep blue eyes, just like Lance’s.
“Dinner’s almost ready. Why isn’t Julie back yet?” Rita asked, setting the plates on the table as she checked the clock.
“Julie’s my older sister. She’s a sculptor. She’s been swamped lately because of her exhibition in Presworth.” Lance gave Sylvie an apologetic look and lightly brushed his fingers over hers.
A young woman hurried into the dining room. The moment Julie Yule spotted Sylvie, her expression brightened. “So you’re my sister–in–law! You’re stunning.” Before Sylvie could reply, Lance gently tapped Julie’s hand. “Julie, don’t scare my girlfriend, okay?”
Julie quickly put a hand on her hip and playfully poked Lance’s forehead. “You’re the one who shouldn’t interrupt while I’m getting to know my sister–in–law, understood?”
As Sylvie observed the playful teasing among the Yules, her heart warmed.
Worried that Sylvie might not be accustomed to Fremorian dishes, Rita had prepared an entire spread of Cravonian dishes instead,
Gilbert, thoroughly enjoying Rita’s homemade Cravonian dishes, exclaimed eagerly, “Sylvie, I’m so glad you’re here. It’s been forever since I’ve had Rita’s Cravonian dishes. I’ve missed it so much.”
Julie was already helping herself to more food as she added, “I haven’t had Cravonian food in ages. I’ve been craving it.”
Beside her, Lance flashed a smirk at Sylvie. “They’re a bit much, huh?”
Sylvie shook her head firmly. “This is how I’ve always pictured a family should be.”
Together, the family happily dug into the dinner Rita had prepared.
After dinner, Julie went to turn on the TV in the living room.
“Yesterday, the bodies of a man and a woman were found in Room 1309 at Presworth Public Hospital. Medical examiners from Presworth Police Department believe the murder weapon was a knife found at the scene…”
Julie turned off the TV and muttered, “The crime rate in Presworth has been getting way out of hand lately.”
Holding Sylvie’s hand, Lance walked over to Julie and noticed her worried expression. “What’s wrong?”
Julie sighed. “Nothing major. They found two bodies at Presworth Public Hospital–both of them were Cravonian. One of them was supposedly the CEO of some big company back in Cravonia. His last name was Parker, I think.”
Sylvie frowned. “A Cravonian with the last name Parker?”
Lance looked at her with concem. “Sylvie, did you know them?”
Sylvie shook her head. “No, they weren’t anyone important.”
Lance led her toward his bedroom. Just as he was about to close the door, Julie’s hand shot out to stop him.
“Sylvie, you should stay here,” Julie said with a smile from the doorway
Rita grinned at Sylvie as well. “We won’t get in the way of your time with Lance.”
Sylvie’s cheeks flushed, and Lance quickly jumped in “Mom, Julie, stop teasing her.” He walked them out of his room. “You’re too much. Parents in Cravonia aren’t
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Chapter 23
usually this direct.”
Rita gasped and quickly covered her mouth. “I’m sorry, Lance. We’re just really excited you brought your girlfriend home for the first time.”
Lance saw them out, along with Gilbert and Donut, who’d come to watch. He quietly shut the door and walked over, wrapping his arms around Sylvie where she sat in the chair.
“I’m sorry about that, Sylvie.”
“It’s okay. I really like Mr. and Mrs. Yule, and Julie, too.”
Lance nestled his face against her neck and murmured, “And what about me?”
Sylvie gently ran her fingers through his soft hair. “Of course, I love you.”
Lance picked Sylvie up and laid her on the bed.
“Lance…”
“I’m just so happy, Sylvie.”
Desire burned in Lance’s eyes. The waves of emotion in his gaze lapped at her ankles, as if trying to pull her into the depths of love.
Lance kissed Sylvie, their tongues moving together like swirling ocean currents. Her fingers trailed down his back, where his shirt had slipped halfway off, drawing a sharp breath from him.
They moved together like a boat adrift at sea or like two sea creatures tangled in each other. The endless tide dragged them under, carrying them away to a hidden place, warm and damp with passion.
After they cleaned up, Lance pulled Sylvie into his arms and softly hummed a Fremorian love song into her ear.
“The rose blooms bright,
The nightingale sings light.
My love and I walk beneath the moonlight,
Never to part again…”
Sylvie closed her eyes, completely at peace. She and Lance would never be apart.
