bChapter /bb274 /b

    The young man walked away, disappointment written all over his face. “He’s gone,” Skr shrugged and reminded Yosef, “We can stop pretending now.”

    Yosef did not let her go and said, “He’s still watching us over there. What if he realizes we’re just pretending andes back bto /bbbother /bbyou /bagain?”

    Skr looked over and saw that the young man was indeed still watching them. “Then just hold my hand,” she said. Holding bhands /bwas

    much more eptable than Josef putting his arm around her.

    Yosef held her hands and said, “Many others on the beach can’t take their eyes off you.” Although Yosef said casually, Skr could sense ba /b

    hint of jealousy in his tone.

    Skr looked around and noticed that several young men were indeed sneaking looks at her. But the moment their eyes met, Josef bbeside /b

    her, they instantly looked away.

    To prevent a repeat of what just happened, Yosef stayed close by their side. Adam called out enthusiastically, “Dad! Mom! Come bbuild /bba /b

    sandcastle with me!”

    However, Yosef just nced at the pile of sand and tly refused, “No, thanks.”

    Skr wanted to join Adam, but could not with Yosef still holding her hand. “Let go of my hand. I want to y with Adam,” she said.

    Yosef released her hand. Just as Adam saw this, it suddenly dawned on him that he had an utmost mission.

    ‘I’m supposed to help Dad win Mom’s heart. How could I be the one getting in their way?‘ he thought.

    Adam suddenly jumped up, grabbed his mom’s hand, and shoved it back into his dad’s. “Mom, Dad’s injured and weak. If some bad guys show up and take him away, that would be terrible! You stay with himb; /bI’ll build the sandcastle by myself.”

    Skr felt a bit exasperated. ‘Come on, he only injured one hand; it’s not like he’s bedridden. How does that make him weak?

    ‘Moreover, we’re on a crowded beach. It’s not like bad guys lurking around every corner,‘ Skr thought to herself.

    “Adam’s right. I’m feeling pretty weak right now and need someone to protect me. Skr, I’m counting on you to keep me safe,” Yosef said with a clear, lightly amused tone.

    Skr nced at him and teased, “Mr. Campbell, since when did a minor injury make you so dramatic?b” /b

    Yosef blinked innocently and said, “Didn’t you say I could always count on youb, /bSkr?”

    Skr was rendered speechless by that one line. She gave a light snortb, /bturned her head away, and refused to talk to him. Her eyes fixed bon /b

    the little kid instead.

    Adam had his little bottom sticking out, huffing and puffing as he built a sandcastle with all his effort. Unfortunately, bhe /bhad bchosen /bba /bbspot /btoo close to the water. A wave rolled in, and the sand castle vanished in seconds.

    Adam’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he eximed, “My sandcastle is gone!”

    Skr patted Adam’s head and said, “Let’s move farther back so that the waves won’t reach us.”

    Undeterred, Adam moved to a new spot and resumed his grand sandcastle construction project. Skr was looking at bAdam/bb, /bwhile bYosef’s /bgaze remained fixed on her.

    Suddenly, the crisp sound of a camera shutter broke out. Hearing the sound, Yosef band /bSkr turned their heads bin /bunison toward Re

    b“/bExcuse me, I’m a photographer. That was such a beautiful moment just now that i couldn’t resist capturing bit/b, I hope byou /bdon’t mind sa man

    bsaid/b.

    Holden Sheppard, a photographer, approached them with a camera hanging around his neck. “This is my business card, Holden bsaid/bb, /bhanding it to them to prove what he said.

    Skr took the business card and asked, “Can we see the photo?”

    Holden retrieved the photo he had just taken and said, “Your family is incredibly good–looking. You’re by far the most photogenic family bve /bever photographed.”

    “Thank you,” Skr said politely. Seeing the photo, she froze for a moment.

    In the photo, Yosef’s gaze rested on her, filled with tenderness and affection. Her heart fluttered, and her fingers curled slightly