18

Geoffrey remained in his original position, leaning against the headboard, gazing at Aileen with her back to him.

After lying down for a while, there was finally some movement on her left side. Her closed eyes opened again, staring at the small table lamp across from her, while Aileen's mind was filled with countless thoughts.

Including her past life, she had never pried any information about him from his mouth.

Suddenly, Geoffrey moved closer to her, his broad chest pressing against her back, and the scorching heat spread to her. Aileen quickly closed her eyes.

Although he had just rejected her, his strong and powerful hands wrapped around her, embracing her entirely. A hint of alcohol mixed with a light vanilla scent invaded her nose.

Geoffrey's chin rested on top of her head. "Give me some more time."

Aileen held her breath, and her sense of melancholy was shattered by this simple sentence.

Struggling to turn around, her amber eyes met his unfathomable gaze, scanning from his eyebrows down to his sharp jawline.

Her fair hand touched his chin, feeling slightly prickly. Geoffrey was taken aback but allowed her to do as she pleased.

"Geoffrey, buy me a light pink skirt, alright?"
Once again, Angie's popularity on Instagram had waned, and Aileen couldn't help but wonder if she had unintentionally offended some influential figure.

With Cary's powerful background, it took three days for the news to be taken down.

In the dressing room, she picked the most elegant pink skirt. When she changed into it, Aileen was astonished by her reflection in the mirror.

The light pink silk skirt complemented her fair skin, giving her a tender and rosy appearance. The well-designed dress accentuated her petite frame, adding a touch of youthful sweetness to her elegance.

As she closed the closet door, Aileen couldn't stop smiling. That night, she had casually mentioned it, and Geoffrey unexpectedly bought her an entire wardrobe of pink skirts!

Today was the anniversary of Aileen's mother's passing, and she wanted to look beautiful. During her years abroad, she hadn't had the opportunity to pay her respects.

"The things are ready; we can leave now."

"Are you really coming with me?"

Geoffrey's book paused in the air, and the sunlight glinted off his wire-framed glasses, seemingly enchanted by her appearance.

His voice was slightly husky as he said, "Let's go."

The cemetery was surrounded by verdant pines and cypresses, and a cool autumn breeze swept through. Aileen adjusted her hat. Her father had passed away before her mother, and after her mother's death, their ashes were buried together.

The photo on the tombstone was taken on their 10th wedding anniversary when the three of them traveled to France. Due to her mother's spontaneous idea, seven-year-old Aileen became their photographer.

Looking at the black-and-white picture, her father's kind brows and her mother's gentle smile, Aileen held her mother's favorite carnations and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Dad, Mom, Aileen came to see you."

After arranging the offerings, a large hand touched her trembling shoulder.

Her gaze fell on the corner of the tombstone, where someone else had also paid respects to her parents. She thought those heartless relatives would stay away.

As she knelt down to place the flowers, she couldn't help it, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I used to be so willful and didn't listen to your words. I'm sorry... I couldn't grow up to be someone you could be proud of."

As she spoke, she sobbed, and Geoffrey watched her with a heartbroken look in his blue eyes.

He placed his large hand on hers and said seriously to the tombstone, "Hello, I am Aileen's husband, Geoffrey."

"To me, Aileen is the one and only. Thank you for raising her so well. Please rest assured, from now on, I will protect her."

Hearing his words, Aileen couldn't control herself anymore. Seeing her eyes almost swollen from crying, he took off his coat and draped it over her small frame, the oversized black suit accentuating her delicate figure.

On the path outside the cemetery, Aileen was reluctant to leave. If it weren't for Geoffrey's concern about her catching a cold, she would have wanted to stay there all day.

"I'll go bring the car over. Wait for me here."