Chapter 356 Embrace New Life

Chapter 356 Embrace New Life

"Pretty good. Studying, working, taking care of Mom. Staying busy." Amy nodded, her voice soft.

"Did you miss me?" Rose's question was so direct that Amy jerked her head up, meeting Rose's deep gaze. Warm affection burned in those clear eyes.

Amy's cheeks burned at once, and her heart pounded like a drum.

Over the past three years, it wasn't as if she had never thought about Rose.

That dangerous, mysterious woman had become a red mark seared into Amy’s heart.

On nights abroad, Amy would sometimes remember the cool touch of Rose's fingertips and her brilliant yet distant smile.

"I..." Amy opened her mouth, at a loss for words.

She was afraid. Afraid this was another dangerous game. Afraid she would fall into an uncontrollable whirlpool.

Yet the flutter in her heart, which she had forced herself to suppressed for three years, surged under Rose's direct gaze and nearly shattered the wall of reason.

Rose looked at her flustered but expectant expression and chuckled softly. "Amy, I know what kind of person I am. Most of the places I've been aren't exactly clean. I can't give you an ordinary, stable life, and I might even bring trouble into your life.”

Rose paused and stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them. Her voice dropped, carrying a dangerous allure and unmistakable sincerity. "But over these three years, I’ve kept thinking about you. About the way you looked when you cried, when you pretended to be strong, when you blushed... It's a hassle, but I can't forget."

She reached out. This time, she did not touch Amy's face. Instead, she gently took Amy’s slightly trembling hands. Those hands had learned drafting and crafting at Seraphim, had grown callused, yet were still slender.

"I won't force you. But I don't want to lie to myself anymore either. Amy, I want to try. Not s if I were keeping a pet, but by seriously being with you. Do you dare?"

Amy looked at their clasped hands. In that moment, all her fears and concerns seemed to be defeated by the clear flutter in her heart.

She didn't want to go against her true feelings anymore. She didn’t want to miss this dangerous yet intensely attractive possibility because of fear of the unknown.

Amy squeezed Rose's hand back. Though her fingertips still trembled slightly, her gaze grew steady. "I don't know what the future holds. But I want to try. With you."

Rose's eyes suddenly lit up with dazzling brilliance. The emotion that flashed through her was close to wild joy, making her whole being vivid and radiant.

She squeezed Amy's hand hard, her smile bright and radiant. "Okay."

When the two of them appeared hand-in-hand before everyone, the atmosphere was clearly different. Amy’s flushed face and the lingering light in her eyes, Rose's undisguised tenderness in her gaze—everyone except the innocent Arthur and Marlowe understood immediately.

Elodie was momentarily stunned, then smiled.

Brandon raised an eyebrow, thoughtful, but said nothing.

The most shocked of all was Rachel.

Seeing the unmistakable intimacy between Amy and Rose, her eyes widened and her mouth fell slightly open. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.

Her sweet, quiet sister Amy? With Rose, the female leader of Selman?

That pairing shocked Rachel more than any business twist ever could.

"Amy, you two?" Rachel pointed at them, barely able to get the words out.

Amy's face reddened further as she hid slightly behind Rose.

Rose remained calm. She gently pulled Amy to her side and curved her lips at Rachel. "As you can see, Ms. York. I hope you'll be kind to us from now on." The words were meant for Rachel, but also for Brandon and Elodie.

Brandon saw Rachel's adorably shocked expression and couldn’t help chuckling. He teased softly in her ear with endless affection. "What, you're allowed to never imagine marrying me back then, but Amy can't have an unexpected romance?"

Indeed, how wonderful fate was.

Had Rachel ever imagined years ago that she would spend her life with someone as unfathomable as Brandon and bear his children?

Everyone had their own path and their own right to pursue the happiness that moved their heart.

As long as it was genuine, mutual, and protective.

Rachel gradually accepted it and even felt happy for Amy.

"As long as Amy is happy," Rachel finally said softly, nodding at Rose. Her eyes held both blessing and request. "Treat her well."

Rose put away her casual attitude and answered solemnly. "I will."

The evening sunlight streamed into the living room, bathing everyone in a layer of warm gold.

A newborn's cry, children's laughter, lovers' whispers.

All the love and hate, schemes and calculations, hardships and struggles seemed to melt into a scene called home and love.

Rachel wasn't the only one reborn from the ashes.

Everyone, in their own way, had broken free from the past, embraced new life, and found their own sense of belonging and light in the bonds of love.

Their stories might still have unknown chapters, but this moment's completeness and hope were enough to light the path ahead and warm the rest of their lives.