Chapter 382: I Only Wanted Ice Cream

Summer remembered that night—Trevor had pulled Peyton from the pool, and she had become the target of everyone’s mockery. That same night, this man had dragged her up here, wild and unruly like an untamed stallion. That kind of reckless freedom—raw, unrestrained—was something she had never felt before. She couldn’t say for sure that it was the moment she fell for him; but it was definitely the first time she’d felt something different toward him. Back then, Summer didn’t understand what that feeling was.

Looking back on it now, it must have been something close to warmth. The sky above the hilltop stretched wide like a deep navy canopy, dotted with stars that sparkled like gems—so bright they seemed close enough to pluck right out of the sky. The air was fresh with a hint of damp earth. She couldn’t help but take a few extra breaths.

They got out of the car and leaned against the convertible. From where they stood, the neon lights of the city below and the vast canvas of the sky above spilled out before them like a vivid painting.

“Make a wish,” he said.

“There aren’t any shooting stars yet.”

Fraser let out a quiet laugh. “This time, I’ll make it come true for you—you don’t need to wait for them.”

Summer rolled her eyes, though her gaze shimmered like water. She didn’t make a wish this time, because what she wanted most was already standing beside her. She just wanted to relive this place. After a moment, Summer gently rested her head on his shoulder.

Fraser felt her soft weight and lifted his gaze, eyes locking on her profile—fair, beautiful, eyes bright and dark, lips delicate and tender. His eyes darkened even more. He suddenly wanted to kiss her hard, to mark her with his scent; he wanted her to be his, completely, down to her bones. But he held himself back—even though they were already expecting a baby. He still wanted to make everything feel right for her. To give it all the meaning it deserved. Because tomorrow, he was going to propose to the girl he’d loved for so many years.

So Fraser simply reached out and pulled her into his arms, fingers brushing over the small swell of her belly. His voice was low and husky. “You cold?”

“Fraser.”

“Hmm?”

She blinked slowly, her voice soft and distant. “I’m not very strong. I’m not that tough. Sometimes I even cry, though not too often.”

Fraser’s black eyes sparkled like obsidian, and his smile deepened, warm and gentle. “I’m not looking for a rival, Summer. I’m looking for a wife. Why would I want you to be strong? Listen to me—if it’s you, then you’re already the best there is.”

Summer felt her eyes start to burn. Since when did this man get so good with words?

Meanwhile, in a rundown apartment building, Nate and Laurett sat with dark brows and bitter expressions. They were only in their sixties, but looked like they were pushing eighty. They never would’ve thought that after a lifetime of struggle, they’d lose everything. And now that they were back in Havenbrook, they had to sneak around like criminals just to go outside. If they attempted to ask their daughter what had happened, she would just snap at them. Don’t ask. Just be careful when you leave the house! She’d talked big a while back—said she’d take them overseas, give them a life of luxury. And what had come of it?

Not only were they worse off than before, they were living in worse conditions than they ever had in Havenbrook. Her new boyfriend had not only drained her bank account, but had started hitting her—dragging the two of them into it, too.

Sigh. Every time they thought about it, they couldn’t help but wonder how life had turned out this cruel. They had spoiled their daughter rotten growing up. That had only made her arrogant, proud, and convinced she was meant for more. Who would’ve thought it would become her fatal flaw?

Laurett let out a heavy sigh. “You’ve already been divorced once. After everything Mason put you through, didn’t you learn anything? How could you not see this guy for what he was? Being good-looking isn’t everything! You can’t eat a pretty face!”

Sienna’s face was bruised and swollen; her eyes looked hollow. She kept pacing back and forth across the room. She’d never planned to come back. She’d figured she could just get some money from Helen and go live the good life. But fate—it really seemed to enjoy messing with her.

He was hot—sharp brows, tilted eyes, that perfect side profile. Everything about him exuded irresistible charm. She remembered seeing someone that good-looking once before—the heir to the Graham family. There was a stubborn streak in her that refused to quit.

Why did Summer get to end up with someone like Fraser? Why did I get stuck with scumbag Mason? So when she met Alan, she thought, Finally, this is it. This is my true love. She threw everything into it. And now—Sienna laughed coldly—turns out it was all just a facade.