TRCR 134

Rebecca helped Lily into the cardigan.

Lily stomped her feet impatiently, watching Rebecca fasten each button one by one.

At first, Lily had been entranced by Rebecca’s gentle touch. But the once-awkward tenderness now felt natural, as if it had always been there.

“There. All done. Now you can run and play.”

At Rebecca’s words, Lily shot off toward the beach like a puppy unleashed.

Her tiny footprints dotted the quiet sandy shore in neat little rows.

Lily paused to feel the sand grains wrapping around her bare feet, then began frantically gathering seashells.

“She’s so happy…….”

Yulian clutched his chest, crushed by guilt, and stared blankly at Lily’s joyful face.

His expression was deeply pained, but Rebecca offered no comfort.

This, too, was a debt he had to repay.

“Becky unnie!”

As the servants set up the parasol, Helena and Livia came running toward Rebecca from afar.

Lily, who…