Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike-Chapter 419 - 398: The Family of Three

Quentin Thorne took Sienna Thornton around to each table, introducing her to the family relations.

The relatives already had great respect for Quentin Thorne, and upon hearing how outstanding Quentin’s eldest daughter was, they couldn’t help but feel envious.

Among the Thorne Clan’s relatives, Quentin Thorne held the highest official position, but there were also many officials and entrepreneurs who were influential in major state departments. Everyone exchanged business cards with Sienna Thornton, courteously offering their help should she ever need it, declaring they were all family.

A year ago, when Sienna Thornton was still working at a law firm, receiving such a stack of business cards would have thrilled her. She was still happy now, as each card was a nod to her and Quentin Thorne’s face value.

At the end of the luncheon, Quentin Thorne took Sienna Thornton to discuss adding her to the family registry with the clan president.

Upon seeing the father and daughter looking just alike, the president asked no questions, said nothing, and simply added "Sienna Thorne" under Quentin Thorne’s branch.

Seeing her name under Quentin Thorne and Ian Grant, Sienna Thornton couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret and sadness inside.

While she hadn’t often longed for her parents to reunite, seeing her name listed under Quentin Thorne and his wife made her yearn for a complete family.

On the way back, she drove along the provincial road and saw the sunset over Linden, the orange-yellow sun hanging slanted in the western sky, the unharvested winter wheat turning a vast expanse of golden in the spring.

She remembered when she was a child, Melinda Linton harvesting wheat in the fields, while she sat in the shade doing homework, watching her mother labor tirelessly. At that time, she often thought, why do other kids have both parents harvesting wheat together, but her mother was always alone...

Sienna Thornton drove with tear-filled eyes, her heart aching, her vision blurred to the point where she could no longer drive.

She simply pulled over to the side of the road, gazing blankly at the countryside sunset, snapped a photo and sent it to Simon Forrester, along with a message—

"I miss you, baby. Would you give me a home?"

...

As Simon Forrester stepped out of the old house, planning to call Sienna Thornton to ask if she wanted to have dinner at home, he received her message before he could even dial.

This was the first time she sent him such a picture and text, setting his heart a bit on edge, prompting him to quickly call her back.

When the call connected, her voice was choked with tears, making his heart leap with worry: "Did they bully you? Where are you? I’m coming right over!"

On the other end, Sienna Thornton didn’t say a word, prompting him to jump straight into his car, slamming on the accelerator, turning the sedan into a race car as he sped out of the old house.

Thinking Sienna Thornton was truly bullied, his heart ached to breaking, cursing out the Thorne family, as he sped out onto the road only to find himself stuck in rush hour traffic at the alleyway entrance. His anxiety peaked as he honked impatiently and clumsily comforted Sienna Thornton over the phone.

After a while, Sienna Thornton calmed down, sniffing as she spoke: "It’s nothing, just got a bit emotional. I’m on my way back now, should be home in about an hour. If you get back first, start cooking."

Hearing this, he finally released his grip on the horn, exhaling with relief: "You’re really alright?"

"Really, if I’m lying, I’m a puppy."

Puppy?

In an instant, he recalled their night in Norport, and how she nuzzled around him, his gaze and tone softening as he gently replied: "You’re already a puppy... my little puppy."

Over the phone, Sienna Thornton broke into laughter.

Hearing her laughter brought peace to his heart.

. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Sienna Thornton entered the house, changing into slippers at the entryway.

"I’m back," she called into the house.

No response came, reminding her that Simon Forrester should be busy cooking, prompting her to head toward the kitchen.

The kitchen sliding door was pulled shut firmly, and Simon Forrester, wearing an apron, busily worked at the stove.

She climbed up two steps, pushed open the door, and entered, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, laying her chin on his shoulder, watching him stir-fry beef in the pan.

He turned his face to kiss her: "Go take a shower first, it’ll be ready by the time you’re done."

"What are we having tonight?"

He listed several dishes, all her favorites, which instantly lifted her spirits. She kissed him on the cheek before turning to leave the kitchen.

.

After soaking in a bath, putting on a face mask, and pondering over some things, Sienna Thornton finally felt much better.

She wasn’t one to dwell on sadness, but facing such changes in life brought momentary sorrow. A bath, a meal, a good night’s sleep, and she’d wake up ready to face the world again.

When she changed into her at-home clothes and stepped out, Simon Forrester had finished his shower as well, holding a hairdryer, waiting for her in the living room.

He sat on the sofa, extending his arms: "Come here, let me hold you."

She chuckled, dashed over, and pounced into his arms.

He hugged her tightly, softly asking: "Why were you crying on the way back? Hm?"

She buried her face in his neck, gazing up at his handsome profile with damp eyes, her fingers gently trailing down his distinct nose: "When they added me to the family registry, seeing my name under Quentin and Ian felt a bit hard."

Simon Forrester realized immediately why she had sent such a photo and text in the afternoon.

He tightened his arms around her, holding her close: "Once you marry me, your name will be in our family registry, right beside mine, with our children’s names beneath."

"I know," she said forlornly, "I noticed Ian Grant’s name next to Quentin’s."

A few days ago, when Quentin Thorne brought her new documents and copies of the household registry, Simon Forrester thought she was calm about it, assuming it didn’t bother her, but hadn’t realized she suppressed it until the emotions surfaced today, making her cry.

Simon Forrester truly didn’t know how to comfort her in this matter.

He understood her hopes, that she really wanted her name alongside her parents’, but that was indeed difficult, very difficult.

"What did you ask me about this evening?" Simon Forrester changed the subject, "If I could give you a home?"

The little head wrapped in a towel nodded against him.

He laughed: "Forget a home, I’ll give you whatever you want."

"I don’t really want anything else..."

He gazed down at her, pinching her cheek playfully: "Usually having no particular wants means you’ve got it all, nothing lacking."

She thought for a moment: "That makes sense."

He stood up, helping her dry her hair, focused on blow-drying when he suddenly said: "No worries, when we get married, your parents will have to sit together, you three will take pictures! Then we’ll get an epic portrait of the three of you framed and hung at home, way better than being written in some registry!"

Sienna Thornton: "..."

She didn’t speak for a moment, then suddenly shifted, hugging Simon Forrester’s waist with a force that surprised him into falling back onto the sofa.

She followed him down, hugging him with a muffled laugh: "That suggestion might be a bit immature, but it’s doable!"

She laid her face on his chest, as he held the still blowing hairdryer in one hand and gently patted her back with the other, telling her all sorts of funny stories to make her laugh.

Watching her gradually cheer up brought joy to his own heart as well.