While Tommy was seriously learning, Isaac was teaching Irene too, specifically the posture.Still, Irene was smart and needed just an hour to start skiing on her own, although still not doing amazingly just yet.Thankfully, she would not fall since Isaac was right behind.On the other hand, Baby was brought along but could only play with the snow at the children's corner since he was too young to ski.They then took a cable car to the mountain top, and the overlooking view from above was unreal.The snow that never melted and the lofty height of the peak was a sight to behold. The snow itself was an epitome of white pureness and beauty, while the towering green trees sparkled with an emerald glow beneath the sun's splendor.And on the peak, Irene marveled at nature's masterpiece—surrounded by the clouds, it felt like they were up paradise.Leaning against Isaac's shoulder, she murmured, "This place is so beautiful."Isaac glanced at her. "We can stay here for a while."Irene w
Zachary's tone then changed sharply. "What right do you have? Who are you to question me, huh?!"His gaze was cold as ice.He had kept making compromises for Lulu to the very end, but she only cared about herself, refusing to accept him or try to make things work with him, even if it was Star's sake.Now, she was even ready to leave!How was he supposed to take that? How was that supposed to not hurt? How could he still stop himself from lashing out?Lulu could certainly feel his disappointment, and yet…Her eyes turning red, she asked, "Did you have to do it like this?""Like what?" Zachary retorted."You know I care about Star.""Do you?" Zachary laughed. "Don't you care only about yourself? If you did care about Star, you wouldn't be so stubborn, not giving a damn that she would be growing up in a broken family and leaving just because it feels right to you.""I could have gotten myself some young, pretty face," he continued, his tone getting sharper as he went on. "But wo
After all, Zachary knew very well that Lulu had put Irene up to this.And he also knew that Lulu would always keep everyone at arm's length if he did not push her, which was why he refused Irene."It doesn't matter who asks," Zachary said bluntly, holding her gaze as he spoke earnestly. "We both know what Lulu is worried about, and I told her that I don't care about that. And if I don't care, what is there to worry about? But she's the one who refused to get over herself, so if I keep making compromises, she would just stay that way and never open her heart to anyone. All I ask is for her to come around for Star's sake."Irene was left silent for a long while since Zachary was right, but as a fellow woman, she would see things from Lulu's perspective too."She's still traumatized after what happened," Irene said, pursing her lips. "I understand her concerns, and she's worried that you'd take exception in the future. Even if you love her now, you know how fickle love is.""I won't
Irene found it hard to begin since she was worried about shocking Lulu, but she had to ask."Are you traumatized?" she asked vaguely.Lulu was taken aback but sat down again as she came to her senses and said bluntly, "Very."Irene nodded. "I know a good psychiatrist. Why don't you get a consultation?""Why?" Lulu asked, puzzled."Zachary's different now that I've met him again," Irene explained, holding Lulu's hand and assuring her gently. "Even if he couldn't before, he can protect you now. Don't reject him immediately—can't you try for Star's sake?"As Lulu turned silent, Irene pressed tenderly, "Do you really want Star to grow up in a family with a single father, or with a stepmother? Zachary said we can't decide on something that hasn't even happened yet, and I agree with him. What about you?"Lulu thought about it and decided that Zachary was right.She hung her head. "It's all my fault.""No," Irene said, shaking her head. "Neither you nor Zachary are at fault. You both
Zachary was a little surprised. "Is this a trick so she can reach Star?""No," Irene replied. "Lulu's not like that. You know her.""I really don't." Zachary chuckled exasperatedly.After all, he had never expected Lulu to get together with Martin York.At first he thought she just wanted to spite him, so it really hurt when they really got married and things appeared to be going well for them.In fact, Zachary felt hate for Lulu, though he eventually came around—why obsess with getting her, if she could be happy instead? He was the one who let her down first, allowing her to slip through his fingers because of his own incompetence.Martin's death therefore felt like providence, and he wanted to seize that chance."I won't let her down this time, Irene," Zachary said, determined."I believe you." Irene nodded, convinced. "And I can see your resolve.""Yeah, but not Lulu." Zachary sighed."She has more concerns from her standpoint," Irene argued."You really are two peas in
Lulu almost reached up in reflex to wipe her tears, but she pretended to be fine."I thought you were out," she said nervously."Irene told me that you don't want to see me," Zachary replied. "But I had the feeling that we'd have to face each other anyway, so it's ideal to run into each other without warning like this.""Yeah." Lulu nodded, relieved.Zachary's eyes remained glued to her. "You don't have to feel embarrassed. There's no reason for us to act like strangers.""Yeah," Lulu murmured softly, pursing her lips."Star hasn't been crying a lot, actually. The new babysitter does her job well and shows a sense of responsibility even if she's not Star's mother. I lied since I wanted Irene to pass the message and make you worry."Lulu looked up. "When did you become such a schemer?""Does that count as a scheme?" Zachary asked in return. "I'm just trying to get you back to me and Star. If you want to call me selfish, I'll admit to it."Before Lulu could say anything else, he
"Because of Martin," Lulu admitted, but also partly to gauge if Zachary took exception.Seeing the slight change on his face, she asked, "Do you take exception? He's my past, and you'll have to face it all the time if you want to be with me. Have you really thought about it?""No, I don't take exception," Zachary replied. "I'm just shocked that you tried to abandon Star. Don't think that lowly of me.""He was the one who told me to keep her," Lulu said.She was not testing Zachary this time, but was telling him that Martin York was a good man.Zachary said, "I know."-The next day, Lulu and Irene went to the psychiatrist together, and Lulu told her that she met Zachary yesterday.Irene was not surprised. "How do you feel?"Lulu mused to herself for a while before saying, "He changed a lot."Irene smiled. "Did he change for the better or for worse? Do you prefer him the way he is, or the way he was?"Lulu thought about it. "He's just different."Zachary used to be bright an
Lulu shook her head. "That's not it.""Then what do you believe is the reason?" the psychiatrist asked.Lulu was stumped at the actual question and stared quietly at him."Your mindset is wrong," he said bluntly. "You didn't want that experience, did you? You were forced, you were the victim—that means you're still pure, and you need to understand that."It was a revelation for Lulu.She had always been burdened by those memories, but she had indeed been forced and was the victim."You're keeping yourself caged by morals," he continued. "Morals which you dictated yourself when everyone who knows it knows that you're innocent. They don't care about it, because they feel for you and care for you."Lulu indeed felt much kindness just then, from Martin's colleagues and Irene—especially Irene, who kept her company during her darkest moment, encouraging her and assuring her."What do you say is a person's reason for being?" he then asked.Lulu shook her head, unable to answer again.