CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 119: HIS BELOVED

After the people left, the three members of the Sabrina Hayes family finally closed the door and returned inside.

Charles Hayes and his wife were still fuming with anger.

Galina Young was so upset that her heart ached.

Afraid that something might happen to her, Sabrina hurriedly patted her on the back to comfort her. Meanwhile, the thought of divorce surged stronger in her heart.

She really... couldn’t bear it for even a single day!

To be honest, sometimes she really wished Zara wasn’t that man’s child.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation today!

After Galina Young calmed down, her tears began to fall uncontrollably.

She felt sorry for her daughter and her granddaughter.

"Others say that marrying into a wealthy family means living in luxury, but in reality, it’s just about being mistreated. Your father and I don’t really care, but they... They really go too far, not only enslaving you but also treating Zara like this.

My two darlings, so well-behaved and obedient, how could they hurt you like this."

Charles Hayes was full of regret and guilt, "Had I known it would be like this, I would’ve stopped you back then from entering The Hawthorne Family’s doors."

Sabrina felt extremely conflicted, "Blame me entirely—it’s all my fault. It was my insistence on marrying Jordan Hawthorne that led to these consequences... I’ve also dragged you and dad to suffer along with me. I’m sorry, Mom and Dad..."

"What do you have to be sorry for? You’ve been more than generous and dutiful to them, and they’re the ones behaving like animals, not treating you like people!"

Charles Hayes had never blamed her.

He knew the character of the daughter he had personally raised.

She was just so stubborn.

When she loved someone, she’d dedicate herself wholeheartedly, how could she possibly betray someone?

Later, when the two elders calmed down a bit, Sabrina returned to the study room.

Upon entering, she immediately called Jordan Hawthorne.

The man answered quickly, but before he could speak, Sabrina, seething with anger, started, "Jordan Hawthorne, when exactly are you willing to divorce? What’s the point of dragging this on when there’s no affection?

Isn’t Brooke your true love? If you can’t let go, then just go and stay with her!

If you thought I played some trick back then, then when I treated your leg and cared for you day and night, it should’ve balanced out, shouldn’t it?

Not to mention, over these years of marriage, I’ve attended to your needs meticulously, that should be enough, right?

Is your vengeance not over yet? Now you’ve turned it onto Zara! What did she do wrong to deserve such humiliation from The Hawthorne Family!

If you don’t see her as your own, then let go!

Then you can acknowledge the child Brooke bore as your own son sooner!"

After saying this, she hung up the phone harshly, not wanting to hear the man’s voice at all.

Jordan Hawthorne couldn’t get a word in the entire time.

...

For the rest of the day, it felt as if a slight gloom lingered over the house.

It wasn’t until Zara returned in the evening that things returned to normal.

Looking at the adorable little one, Galina and Charles Young felt that perhaps the only good thing about entering The Hawthorne Family was having such a precious little darling.

The next morning, as soon as Sabrina woke up, a pile of messages flooded her phone.

Almost all were promotional messages and congratulations from various companies.

It was only then that Sabrina remembered that today marked the four-year anniversary of her marriage to Jordan Hawthorne.

In the past years, she’d been eager, often buying things to decorate, hoping to create an unforgettable anniversary.

But Jordan Hawthorne had never once spent it with her.

She clearly remembered those times, from being full of anticipation until late at night, hoping in vain.

Finally, it was Nanny Warren, who took the maid Charlotte along, to the garden to pick flowers, to comfort her.

Now, there was no point in keeping these store subscriptions.

Sabrina took time to deactivate her registered accounts one by one and blocked all those merchants.

Once it was all quiet again, she got up to wash and have breakfast.

Tessa Hughes was there as well.

Seeing her, she excitedly said, "You finally woke up, come have something to eat, then go out with me, I know you don’t have work today."

"Where are we going?"

Sabrina was curious.

Tessa smiled brightly, "To take some pictures. I booked a photoshoot—the photographer just returned from studying abroad, and his skills are amazing. People are lining up to book him well into the latter half of the year."

Sabrina wasn’t really interested and wanted to politely refuse.

But Tessa was insistent, "Miss Sabrina, you have such a pretty face, wasting it by not taking any pictures—do you think that’s right? You’re simply wasting such a resource, do you know that?

Ever since you married into The Hawthorne Family, how many years has it been since you took any pictures? Look at your social media, there’s only Zara and maybe some lightning or scenery. Is there a single photo of you?"

After saying that, she turned to Galina and Charles Young to complain, "Uncle, Auntie, look at her, so young yet with so little vitality, tell her something!"

As soon as Charles Hayes heard, he immediately concurred, "I think Tessa’s suggestion is good. Sabrina, work is important, but you need to enjoy life too. You’ve suffered so much in the past, but from now on, be kinder to yourself."

"Yes, go out more often, it’ll lift your spirits. Also, it’s been a long time since I updated your photo album; we haven’t added new pictures at home for years."

Galina Young spoke about this with a somewhat melancholy tone.

Sabrina feared her mother would worry about her marriage again, so she quickly compromised, "Fine, I’ll go shoot with Tessa!"

Her parents were instantly satisfied.

Tessa flashed a victorious smile.

Sabrina was quite helpless.

After breakfast, the two of them tidied up a bit and set off directly to Mirror Lake.

On the way, Sabrina interrogated, "You’re acting strange. Suddenly dragging me out to take photos, there must be a reason. Be honest, is it because the photographer is handsome?"

"No, am I the type to prioritize boys over friends?"

Tessa retorted, not hiding the truth, "It’s just that today is a dreadful day. I feared you’d feel sad, so I thought some girl time would fill the void."

Sabrina was momentarily stunned, internally moved, but found it somewhat amusing, "Do you think I’d still be upset over something like this?"

Tessa observed her for a moment, then smiled, "Not anymore? That’s good... but you still have to take photos with me!"

Sabrina thought to herself, "Even if I refuse, it’s too late, my parents have already assigned the task..."

Half an hour later, they arrived at their destination.

Mirror Lake is one of Veridia’s famous landmarks and a paradise for photographers.

By the time they arrived, the photography team was already waiting!

This photo shoot had several styles, from ancient costumes, through early 20th-century attire, to modern outfits.

The makeup team was very professional, and since both girls had delicate features, just a little touch-up made them stunning.

During the shoot, there were other unfamiliar photographers around capturing the scenery.

Seeing such a beautiful scene, they couldn’t resist aiming their cameras and continuously capturing the two, snapping away.

Sabrina noticed this and was a bit surprised.

Tessa felt that being photographed secretly wasn’t appropriate and was about to say something when the other party proactively praised them, "Sorry, you both look so amazing, I couldn’t resist. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely give you the photos later and ensure you’ll be satisfied."

Hearing this, both didn’t mind further!

Later, during a break, several men approached.

Some introduced themselves as talent scouts from an entertainment company and wanted to know if they were newcomers to a particular entertainment company.

Tessa couldn’t help but laugh, "No, we’re just ordinary people here for a friendship photo shoot."

The talent scout’s eyes lit up and immediately asked, "Are you interested in joining an entertainment company?"

And handed over a business card.

Neither was interested in becoming a star, but Tessa politely accepted it, saying she’d give it serious thought.

After the break, the two continued to change outfits and take photos.

This time they wore Hanfu.

When Sabrina came out of the makeup room first, she vaguely felt a strong gaze.

She looked over suspiciously, only to unexpectedly meet Jasper Fitzgerald’s eyes.

Seated in a pavilion by the lake, the man had an easel in front of him.

Surrounded by frost-covered willow branches, the man’s silhouette was like a splash of bright color on a canvas, handsome as a deity.

Sabrina was taken aback.

Mr. Fitzgerald... when did he get there?

And how long has he been watching???

She thought of the poses she had been striking during the shoot and felt an inexplicable sense of embarrassment.

Just then, Tessa also came out. Noticing Sabrina’s flushed ears, she found it strange and was about to ask when she also caught sight of Jasper Fitzgerald.

"Oh wow! It’s fate to meet like this? Why are you standing there? Go say hello!!!"

Without waiting for Sabrina to react, she eagerly dragged her towards the pavilion.

In no time, they arrived.

Tessa was the first to greet with a smile, "Hello, Mr. Fitzgerald, nice to see you again. I wonder if you remember me. We met last time; I’m Brooke’s best friend."

Jasper Fitzgerald nodded politely, "I remember."

Then he looked at Sabrina, his gaze deepened, and said, "This outfit suits you well; you look like a young lady from ancient times."

Sabrina blushed slightly and quickly asked, "How long have you been here?"

In a low voice, Jasper replied, "I came earlier in the morning, for a bit of sketching."

Sabrina nodded, "What a coincidence. Are you sketching the scenery here?"

As she spoke, she leaned over to look at his easel, "The scenery at Mirror Lake is stunning, with a thin layer of ice on the surface and fish swimming underneath..."

She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Because she saw herself on the canvas.

Tessa, apparently not understanding Jasper Fitzgerald’s art style, could still vaguely make out his superb technique.

She instinctively admired, "It’s beautiful. Is this Mr. Fitzgerald’s special someone? But... why does she look so familiar?"