When Olivia Young arrived at the flower boutique, she saw a crowd of people buying bouquets.

The shop was closing down, everything was on discount—flowers, coolers, vases, even the display racks.

“You’re here!”

Annabelle Winters handed her a bundle of Apple Jacks roses. “These are for you. May your future be filled with happiness, peace, and success in all things.”

“Thank you.”

Cradling the flowers, Olivia Young walked with Annabelle Winters to the restaurant next door.

“My treat today.”

Annabelle Winters passed her an elegant menu.

“Well, in that case, I won’t hold back!” Olivia Young laughed and ordered a few dishes. “So—have you decided where to go?”

“Australia. They speak English, it’s quiet, plus you can see koalas and kangaroos. My little brother loves those.” Annabelle Winters glanced out the window as she spoke.

When she first came to the capital for college, Annabelle Winters had thought she’d live here forever. Who could’ve imagined that, in just a handful of years, so much could change?

She wasn’t only leaving the city—she was immigrating abroad.

“As long as it makes you happy. If it doesn’t, pick somewhere else. You’ve got what it takes. I’m just helping speed up the process—once you’re overseas, you can do whatever you want. As for Grace Gordon and John Cook, I’ll keep an eye on things for you.”

Inside, Olivia Young was practically cheering.

Yes, yes, yes—Plot, you’re out!

She and Annabelle Winters had both slipped free from the narrative straitjacket.

It felt wonderful.

Now she wouldn’t have to worry about her family going bankrupt, or her brother breaking his leg, or herself leaping to her own death.

“Thank you! I don’t even know how to thank you enough.”

“If you really want to thank me, just live a good life.”

After all, this is a romance novel, right? Whoever Annabelle Winters chooses, that’s the true male lead.

Who knows, maybe overseas, she’ll have her own whirlwind romance.

She hasn’t slept with Grace Gordon recently, has she? Please don’t let the plot turn into ‘ten babies running around’ territory…

Well, probably not.

The two chatted and ate, bantering about Grace Gordon.

Olivia Young had spent five years abroad for school—she hadn’t seen much of the grown-up Grace Gordon. But she definitely remembered the novel.

As a kid, Grace Gordon had been a polite little gentleman. But as an adult? A total handful.

He wavered between two women, indecisive, always wanting it both ways.

Well, serves him right now.

Both his ‘white moonlight’ and his stand-in were gone. That’s what he gets.

After lunch, Olivia Young hugged Annabelle Winters goodbye.

“Beauty recognizes beauty. Wanwan, you’re stunning.” Olivia Young whispered praise into her ear before leaving with her flowers.

Annabelle Winters stood there, suddenly realizing why Olivia Young had charmed so many people.

She really was irresistible—not just pretty, but adorable and strong-willed and gentle at heart.

A few days later, Annabelle Winters and her younger brother Annie Winters left the capital.

Olivia Young didn’t go to the airport herself, but she sent someone on her behalf. Watching their car disappear, Olivia Young finally felt at peace.

She gathered her little daughter in her arms. “Sweetheart, Mom isn’t going to die anymore. You won’t have to grow up in a single-parent home.”

“What’s death? What’s a single-parent home?”

“Olivia Young! What are you saying?”

Olivia Young glanced at Frederick Fairfax, then back at the adorable clock on the wall. “It’s four o’clock already? You’re home?”

With a cool, handsome face, Frederick Fairfax stalked closer.

“Olivia Young, what did you just say to our child?”

He honestly couldn’t follow her logic any more. He needed an explanation.

“Let’s all calm down, okay? Don’t glower—it’ll scare the baby.” Olivia Young soothed her daughter. “Dad just came home from work early, that’s all.”

“Sweetheart, go play with Auntie Lin for a while. Mom and Dad have some serious grown-up stuff to discuss.”

Well—not that serious.

“Honey, I…”

“You. Be quiet.”

Olivia Young: “...???”

Frederick Fairfax, you’re really getting bold, huh? Now you dare to snap at me.

“Sweetheart, sweetheart—”

Frederick Fairfax scooped their little girl into his arms and handed her off to the nanny. Then, with no warning, he picked Olivia Young up bridal-style.

Olivia Young hooked her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, smacking a couple of noisy kisses.

Frederick Fairfax’s face remained stony.

“Are you just pretending to be cool, or are you actually mad?”

“Actually mad.”

Olivia Young meekly ventured, “I was just joking…”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t believe me—”

“Haven’t you lied to me plenty of times, Olivia Young?” Frederick Fairfax pressed.

(⊙o⊙)… Quite a few times, actually.

Olivia Young leaned against his chest. “Cheche, there were reasons every time I lied to you.”

“Including the time you lied about being pregnant?”

“Yes, yes. Back then you were so sick—I was scared that telling you the baby was yours would make you force me to get an abortion...” Olivia Young’s gaze was bright and sincere. “Look, my eyes are honest, aren’t they?”

Had Frederick Fairfax not already been fooled by those eyes before? Oh, plenty of times.

This time, though, he was determined not to be so easily taken in.

He tossed Olivia Young onto the bed.

“Why do all our serious talks end up here?”

Olivia Young deftly rolled off the other side of the bed.

Frederick Fairfax was fuming. He tugged his collar, tilting his head slightly. “Come here.”

“Nope.”

“Olivia Young!”

“You’re yelling at me? I’m telling Grandfather!” Olivia Young tried to pat her thigh.

Ah—she was wearing a skirt. No pockets, no phone. Where had she left her phone?

Completely forgot.

“Fine, let’s go to Grandfather right now. I’ll ask you in front of him why you said something like that. He’d hate to hear it, too.” Frederick Fairfax demanded, clearly unable to understand her.

Death? Single-parent household? How terrifying!

He circled around the foot of the bed. “Unless you explain it to me clearly.”

Annabelle Winters had already left. John Cook was under investigation. Grace Gordon might have feelings for Annabelle Winters, but not that deep.

He didn’t even go chasing after her abroad.

And Olivia Young hadn’t been forcibly dragged into the original plot again.

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

“Honestly… I had a nightmare. I dreamt that I died.” Olivia Young bit her lip as tears welled up. “It was terrifying. When I woke up and realized it was just a dream—honey…”

She ran into his arms, sobbing. “I really thought I’d never see you again…”

Frederick Fairfax was still mad, but his arms instinctively went around her.

He rested his forehead against hers. “You couldn’t come up with a better excuse?”

“Sure I can! Actually, we’re all living in a cheesy substitute romance novel. Grace Gordon is the male lead, Annabelle Winters is the heroine, and I’m the evil supporting character—the original ‘white moonlight’ he could never have. The source material is all about the love-hate mess between the three of us. I only had that one-night stand with you so I wouldn’t get dragged into the plot.”

Olivia Young spun the tale with a straight face—but it was the honest truth.

If Frederick Fairfax didn’t believe her, there was nothing she could do.

“That’s even crazier than your last excuse.” Frederick Fairfax’s lips curled into a smile. “If we’re in a novel—the heroine has to be you!”

“If you’re the heroine, the male lead can only be me. No way it’s Grace Gordon. You’re my wife, the mother of my child, young madam of the Fairfax family—a story where fate beats out childhood sweethearts.”

Olivia Young smiled, “Or maybe it’s a marriage-first, love-later story!”