novelraw Chapter 412 - 413: Crying Ruins the Makeup
Chapter 412 - 413: Crying Ruins the Makeup
Chapter 412: Chapter 413: Crying Ruins the Makeup
"Come, let me wipe that for you."
Adrian pulled her closer, took out a tissue, and gently wiped her smudged eyeshadow. The black eyeshadow, mixed with her tears, streamed down her pale face in two comical black streaks.
"You’re not allowed to laugh at me," Sienna said shyly.
"I wouldn’t dare!"
Since he had already seen her at her most disheveled, Sienna didn’t bother with false modesty and let him clean her face. However, as Adrian wiped, his movements grew hesitant, and his brow furrowed deeper. What’s going on?
"What’s wrong?"
"Nothing." Adrian pulled his hand back, his expression a little off. Sienna looked at him curiously, but since she couldn’t figure out what was amiss, she didn’t press further.
"Shall we go home now?" Adrian asked.
After a moment’s thought, Sienna said, "No! Let’s go to Phoenix Hill Cemetery."
Adrian looked at Sienna, puzzled. She explained, "You’re my husband, but you haven’t met my father yet. I want to take you to see him."
"You didn’t give me any warning. I dressed casually today, and I haven’t even shaved... How about we go another day?"
Though Dexter Johnson was already deceased, Adrian still considered this first "meeting" very important. Dexter held a significant place in Sienna’s heart, and Adrian made sure to respectfully acknowledge anyone Sienna cared for.
"Don’t worry, my father isn’t one to judge people by their appearance."
When Sienna finished speaking, Adrian looked at her face and suddenly chuckled. Sienna was baffled.
"Was what I just said that funny? What’s the punchline?"
"No..." Adrian glanced at her, trying to suppress his smile. His lips, however, curved beautifully, revealing his delight.
Sienna laughed along with him. "You must be thrilled that I’m taking you to see my father, aren’t you?"
"Yes! I’m absolutely thrilled."
Sienna leaned her head on his shoulder, the heavy weight in her heart lightening a bit. "If my father were still alive," she said, "he’d probably like you too."
"It seems only Madam Johnson in this whole world would dislike me."
Thinking of his mother-in-law, Adrian couldn’t help but get a headache. There’s an Orienta saying: ’A mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, and the more she looks, the more she likes him.’ Why then, did Madam Johnson seem to dislike him more and more the more she saw him?
"Madam Johnson doesn’t like you, but I like you!"
"Then you’ll have to like me a whole lot more, because Madam Johnson really, really detests me! Only if you like me much more can my wounded young heart be soothed."
"Wounded young heart? Adrian Desmond, have you no shame?"
"What does this have to do with my shame?" After saying that, Adrian glanced at Sienna’s face, his eyes filled with an unconcealable smile.
"You’re already old..."
"Hey, Mrs. Desmond, be clear with me. Where am I old? The last time we went grocery shopping at the supermarket, that auntie even called me ’brother’..."
"PFFT..."
"You finally laughed... Sienna, you’re beautiful when you laugh. I love seeing you laugh."
Sienna stuck her tongue out at him, turned her head to the side, and stopped laughing.
"Stingy! You won’t even grace me with a smile!"
Sienna playfully stuck her tongue out at him again, refusing to give him a smile.
Seizing the moment while he was distracted, Sienna stole a quick kiss. Then, she leaned on his shoulder, laughing brightly. Adrian chuckled, resting his cheek against her head. Their figures intertwined, creating a serene and beautiful silhouette.
...
「Phoenix Hill Cemetery,」
This was a private cemetery, or more accurately, the Johnson Family’s burial ground, as everyone interred here was a member of the Johnson Family. Upon arrival, Sienna bought a bouquet of light blue cornflowers. Cornflowers had been Dexter Johnson’s favorite flower, and their meaning is "encounter and happiness."
Adrian and Sienna held hands as they walked to Dexter Johnson’s tombstone. As Sienna looked at her father’s picture on the tombstone, tears suddenly welled in her eyes.
"Dad, I came to see you," she choked out, placing the flowers before the tombstone.
"Dad, are you lonely all by yourself?"
Adrian had seen pictures of Dexter Johnson before. He struck Adrian as a gentle man... He reminded Adrian a bit of his own uncle. Years ago, Adrian’s uncle had been killed by enemies, his body never recovered. In the Desmond Family cemetery, there was only a cenotaph for him. Not being able to find his uncle’s remains and give him a proper burial was one of the greatest regrets of Adrian’s life.
"Adrian, I’m talking to you. What are you thinking about?"
"Huh?"
Sienna frowned at him, clearly unhappy with his distraction. "I was just talking to you, and you didn’t even hear me."
"I’m sorry, what did you say?"
"I told you to greet my father."
"Ah, right."
Adrian took out incense sticks, lit them, and placed them in the censer. He performed a deep bow to Dexter Johnson, even kneeling—a profound gesture of respect for his father-in-law. In Abyanabad, Adrian held a prestigious status and wasn’t required to kneel even before the Royal Family, yet he knelt for Dexter Johnson to show his deep respect.
"Dad, it’s Adrian, Sienna’s husband. I’m sorry this is my first time visiting you..."
"..."
Adrian looked at the photograph of Dexter Johnson on the tombstone and said earnestly, "Dad, thank you for raising Sienna so well. I don’t believe in gods or spirits, but I still have to thank whatever divine providence brought her to me.
She has given me a child and a home, bringing me a happiness I had never known before!"
"..."
"I want to thank you, because without you, there would be no her!"
Adrian kowtowed heavily, his forehead striking the marble slab with resounding THUDS. The sound made even Sienna frown.
After completing the ritual, Adrian rose. Sienna asked, "Does your head hurt?"
"Are you worried about me?" Adrian winked at her. Sienna turned her head away haughtily. "A few kowtows, and you’ve already plucked the prize my father cultivated? That’s letting you off too easy!"
"I think so too! I definitely got the better end of the deal."
"Adrian, could you wait for me outside? I want to talk to my dad alone for a bit."
"Alright."
Although Adrian didn’t want to leave Sienna, he stepped aside when he saw how insistent she was. He didn’t feel at ease, so he didn’t go far. He stood behind a tree, watching Sienna kneel in front of the tombstone, crying and talking. Her voice was low and mixed with choking sobs, so Adrian couldn’t hear what she was saying.
...
"Dad, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I allowed Sabrina Johnson to do such insulting and defamatory things to your memory... You don’t know, after that happened, I had sleepless nights. Only now that I’ve helped clarify the truth do I dare to come see you."
"..."
"Dad, it won’t be long now before I can avenge you. Once I bring Sabrina Johnson and Frederick Stewart to justice, I’ll come tell you the news right away..."