The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 131- a Promise of Forever

"I can tell Charles really cares about you, Janet. You need to hold on to him," Samantha said with a playful wink. Her alluring eyes sparkled with sincere blessings, but for some reason, Janet felt a wave of unease wash over her.

Why does it feel like... I might lose him someday?

Just as her gaze drifted to the crystal-clear reflection in her glass, a gentle piano melody began to float from somewhere above. Janet turned in surprise at the same time as Samantha let out a soft gasp.

Angela had sat down at the grand piano in the center of the hall, Maisy nestled quietly in her arms. Her fingers moved across the keys with graceful precision, and the notes that flowed from her fingertips were like a melody from the heavens—ethereal, dreamlike, and utterly beautiful.

In that moment, with her angelic beauty illuminated by soft light, Angela looked as if she had wings. Maisy sat silently beside her, her sweet smile radiating warmth and tranquility. The scene stirred something deep in everyone’s hearts.

"I had no idea my wife played the piano so well!" Shaun’s eyes were filled with admiration, utterly captivated by the elegant woman on stage. It was as if he were watching a real-life fairytale unfold before him.

As the music swept through the open-air courtyard, the lights overhead flickered on, bathing everything in a romantic glow. One by one, couples began to step into the center, moving in sync to the rhythm.

Janet’s hand was suddenly enveloped in a warm, familiar grasp.

"I don’t know why, but watching Samantha and Angela always makes me feel happy," she said softly. Their joy was infectious. She admired Samantha’s natural grace and Angela’s playful spirit.

They made her feel something she hadn’t felt in so long—genuine warmth.

A sense of family. Something she had never found in the Louis family. Something real. Something that wrapped around her like a soft blanket on a cold day.

"So... your happiness doesn’t come from me, huh?"

Charles’s deep voice whispered near her ear. One hand slipped gently around her waist, his palm radiating warmth that seeped through her thin dress. There was a hint of jealousy in his tone.

"That’s not what I meant!"

Janet looked up and found his handsome face mere inches from hers. His breath tickled her skin, and she instinctively leaned back. But the moment her eyes met his obsidian gaze, her heart skipped a beat.

"Janet," he murmured. "I’ll make sure you’re just as happy as they are. Trust me."

His hand traced gentle shapes across her back. She could feel it, even through the fabric—the distinct motion of three letters being drawn: I. L. Y.

Her eyes widened slightly, heart trembling.

"Mhm... I believe we’ll have a future. We have to."

Janet didn’t know what kind of promise she could give him right now. She wasn’t ready—not with the way things were. He was so good to her... too good. And that terrified her.

Because if she lost him, would she even be able to stand?

But... she couldn’t forget. She couldn’t let go of the injustice that had happened to Cornelia. She had to get justice for her mother. She couldn’t let her die for nothing.

Suddenly, the music stopped.

Darkness swallowed the room. Janet gasped, heart racing—was she losing her vision again, like earlier that morning?

Before panic could escape her lips, two familiar lips pressed gently against hers.

She didn’t need to see to know who it was.

His scent enveloped her. The kiss was light, soft, and protective—no urgency, no heat. Just a quiet reassurance that he was there.

Seconds later, the lights blinked back on. Charles released her lips and stepped back, just as if nothing had happened.

Only then did Janet realize—the blackout had happened exactly during the "kiss moment" of the evening. All the couples around them had done the same.

Her cheeks, once pale, now glowed with a rosy hue. A subtle flush of color made her look more alive than she had in days. Charles’s furrowed brows finally relaxed.

Angela, still holding little Maisy, let her daughter press the final piano key. The hall erupted in warm applause as the mother-daughter duo descended from the stage. Janet caught Angela’s gaze and gave her a look of admiration.

Angela grinned, winked, and pulled a silly face before trotting off to join Shaun.

"I didn’t know you had this secret talent," Shaun said, amazed.

His wife’s light was impossible to ignore tonight.

"That’s because you don’t care about me enough!" Angela slapped away Shaun’s mischievous hand without hesitation, her tone full of righteous indignation. She snatched the champagne flute from him and brought it to her lips—only for Shaun to swiftly intercept her wrist.

"Wifey, not this one. Try this instead."

Shaun’s reflexes kicked in. He grabbed a glass of grape juice from a passing waiter and replaced the champagne with it.

"So, my darling wife thinks I don’t care enough, huh?" Shaun stroked his chin thoughtfully, then leaned in with a goofy, fawning grin. "How about we go on another honeymoon? Just the two of us."

Ever since their daughter was born, he had felt like he’d fallen to second place. Honestly, the cold treatment had started ever since Callum arrived. Shaun had been dying to steal some alone time with his wife—Angela’s unexpected comment was music to his ears.

"Settle things with your son first, then talk to me about it," Angela said with a sly smile as she darted out of the hall, giggling. She knew full well—if Callum found out they were sneaking off without him, Shaun would be the one getting an earful later.

"What’s a son compared to my wife? No wife, no son to begin with!" Shaun muttered as he jogged after her, grumbling dramatically while the grin on his face only grew wider.

Watching them banter, Janet couldn’t help but chuckle. A soft smile lingered on her lips. When she looked back over her shoulder, she caught Charles staring at her with those warm, soul-melting eyes.

Flustered, she reached up and covered his eyes with her hand. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you’re my wife. Why wouldn’t I look?" Charles pulled her chilled hand down, enclosing it in his own. His voice was low and pampering. "Are you tired? Let’s go home."

He knew she hadn’t been feeling well lately. As he turned and walked back into the hall, Janet watched his tall, confident figure disappear through the doors. Moments later, he returned—this time with Brian and Samantha following behind him.

Janet wasn’t sure what Samantha had just whispered to Charles, but she saw him nod slightly. When his eyes met hers again, there was a fleeting shadow in them. Without saying a word, he took her hand, bid farewell to Brian, and the two left the open-air venue in his sleek black Bugatti Veyron.

"Do you like it here?"

Charles’s voice was calm as he slowed the car on their way back. Outside the window, the resort road was lined with soft, warm lights. Janet gazed out at the breathtaking scenery—water fountains spraying high into the night air, glimmering glass structures glowing like crystal.

"It’s beautiful," she replied earnestly with a nod.

Once this place opened to the public, it would no doubt attract countless visitors. Janet admired Charles’s sharp vision—he had a knack for finding potential, and this project was clearly going to be a success.

"I’ll build you your own resort someday, too. How about that?"

Charles glanced at her sideways while steering with ease. Janet blinked, caught off guard, her eyes sparkling with disbelief.

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