Chapter 3435: (END)

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Aware of the many eyes around them, embarrassment finally caught up to him. He tightened his grip on her hand and used it to shield his eyes. “Sorry. I’m really sorry.”

“That’s all right.” A soft smile curved her lips as moisture gathered in her own eyes. “It’s alright, you fool.”

Once the ceremony ended, Ernest and Elissa were quickly surrounded and guided toward the garden outside.

Voices rang out from the crowd. “It’s time for the bride to throw the bouquet!”

Across the lawn, Marshall and his friends were already fired up, positioning themselves eagerly. “Elissa! Toss it this way!”

“No — the bouquet is mine!”

Not far away, Hadley glanced at Eric with a flicker of curiosity. “Does Marshall truly want to marry?”

“Perhaps,” Eric said. “That’s what he told me.”

“What?” Hadley’s expression shifted. “I thought he mentioned he was still waiting for the child’s mother.” Marshall already had a three-year-old child born outside of marriage. According to what people said, the child’s mother came from a modest background, and because of that, the Myers family had rejected her completely and pressured Marshall into keeping the child while cutting ties with her. For many years after, Marshall had continued to wait, believing she would eventually return. Up to this point, she still had not shown up.

“So does that mean he wants to move on? Has he finally stopped waiting for her?”

𝖳𝘩е mо𝘴t рор𝘶lar ո𝘰𝗏𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝗈𝘯 𝗴𝗮l𝘯𝗼𝘷е𝗅𝘴.со𝗺

“I honestly have no idea,” Eric said, shaking his head. “That part of his life is personal. If he doesn’t bring it up himself, I can’t pry.” At times like this, the difference between men and women became plain. Even close male friends often avoided deeply private matters, and so Hadley chose not to push the topic any further.

“Mrs. Scott!” Melba suddenly rushed out from the crowd, her voice flustered. “Ma’am!”

Judging by how frantic she looked, Hadley asked, “Has Aaron woken up?”

“Yes.” Melba nodded quickly. “He kept crying when he couldn’t find you.”

Hadley exhaled. “Where is he?”

“He’s in the back room.”

“We should go.”

“I’ll come along,” Eric said.

Together, they made their way to the back room. Inside, Aaron cried at the top of his lungs, and no matter how the nanny coaxed him, nothing seemed to calm him down.

“I’m here with you,” Hadley said as she stepped in, opening her arms toward him.

“Mrs. Scott.” The nanny hurried forward and placed Aaron into her embrace.

Almost instantly, the crying stopped — as though someone had flipped a switch the moment he settled against his mother. The nanny passed Hadley a bottle of milk. “Ma’am, here you go.”

“Thanks.” Hadley settled into a chair with Aaron cradled against her and began feeding him, her expression hovering somewhere between amusement and quiet exhaustion. In a soft voice, she teased him gently, “You really are a troublesome little thing.”

Although Aaron did not understand her words, his wide eyes stayed locked on his mother and refused to look anywhere else. Both small hands wrapped tightly around the bottle, and he drank with eager determination.

After he was finally full, Eric lifted him up to help him burp. His face immediately crumpled as he threatened to cry again.

“Hold on — don’t start yet,” Eric said quickly, adjusting his son’s position so that Hadley remained in his line of sight. “See, your mother is right there.”

The moment Aaron spotted her, his body relaxed, and he leaned quietly against his father’s shoulder.

“Now he looks completely alert,” Hadley said with a light laugh. “We should take him outside for a walk.”

“That sounds good,” Eric agreed. “It’s also a great time for some photographs.”

Out in the garden, guests were already gathered, everyone busy taking photos with the bride and groom.

“Alright, everyone, listen up!” Brady called out. “Guests, please hold on for a moment — family members first! Come to the center so we can take a group photo.”

Eric stepped forward holding Joy, while Hadley moved beside him with Aaron in her arms, the two of them standing shoulder to shoulder. Across from them stood Ernest and Elissa, with Ernest carrying Ethan while Elissa kept hold of Locke’s hand. At the very center, the elderly family members were already seated and waiting. Brady then guided Colleen over and positioned themselves beside William.

“Okay.”

“We’re taking the picture now.”

And in that moment, time stood still — surrounded by blooming flowers, bathed in a wide stretch of warmth and golden light.

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The End.

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Message from Noa: Lovely Tuesday for you dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. ( • ᴗ – ) ✧

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