The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 130- such a sweetheart

"Ahhh!"

Darkness swallowed her vision, and Janet screamed in panic.

"Charles!"

Janet reached out, grasping desperately at the air—but there was nothing, no one to hold on to.

"Janet!"

Charles had just reached the doorway when her cry pierced the air. He immediately turned back, rushing inside. As he threw open the glass door and saw Janet curled up in fear, clutching her head while staring at the mirror like she’d seen a ghost—his heart nearly shattered.

"What happened? Janet, I’m right here!"

"I... I think I went blind..."

Janet shook her head slightly. But when she heard Charles’s voice, her eyes slowly refocused. Vision returned, and the first thing she saw was the familiar, handsome face she knew so well—eyes filled with worry and that deep affection that always steadied her heart.

"You couldn’t see? Can you see me now?"

Charles’s tone turned urgent as he waved a hand in front of her. But before he could do more, Janet grabbed him tightly.

Just a moment ago, everything had gone completely dark. That overwhelming, helpless void—it had scared her more than she dared to admit.

Was it just her imagination?

Why did her vision feel like it was getting blurrier lately?

"I-It’s probably nothing. Maybe I was just seeing things..."

A single tear slid down her cheek. Charles caught it with his long, slender fingers. Without another word, he slipped one arm around her waist and carried her into the living room.

"Janet, are you feeling unwell anywhere? Let’s go to the hospital, just in case," he said, his gaze carefully scanning her pale, fragile face.

"No... It’s not my body—it’s my heart that feels off."

Janet closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, she saw the same warm surroundings, felt the same familiar arms around her. She leaned into Charles’s embrace, burying her unease deep inside.

"As long as you have me, that’s all you need, Janet. Don’t overthink it. Let me handle everything."

Charles kissed her gently on the cheek. He knew she hadn’t fully recovered from the blow she suffered yesterday, but that was fine. As long as she stayed by his side, he would make sure she saw every person who hurt her crumble one by one.

"I’m hungry. Let’s eat."

Janet sniffled. She didn’t want her sadness to spread to him. The least she could do was act normal.

"Alright. Fiona made your favorite corn porridge."

Charles helped her change into fresh clothes, and when she cautiously stepped down the stairs, there was a strange light flickering in his eyes.

He hated seeing her like this—silent, subdued. He would bring the Louis family down. Soon.

"Tonight, I’ll take you somewhere special."

After breakfast, Charles fetched a coat from upstairs and wrapped it around her shoulders. Then, he took her hand and led her out to the garden for a walk.

Janet didn’t say much. She just nodded quietly, obedient as ever.

Before long, Charles’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then stepped aside to take the call in private.

Janet didn’t ask. She could tell it was business-related—most likely Giles calling again.

By noon, she had dozed off. When she woke up and didn’t see Charles, she knew he was in the study. Without disturbing him, she quietly went downstairs.

"Janet, go change. We’re going out."

Charles called out as he came down the stairs. When he glanced out at the garden, he saw her still standing there, gazing blankly at the sky, completely lost in thought.

By the time Janet returned to her room, Charles had already picked out an outfit for her—a soft, pale pink gown with a delicate shawl draped over it.

When she turned and saw him standing there in a sharp black suit, she blinked in surprise.

"Are we going somewhere formal?"

"Not exactly," Charles replied casually. "Just dress comfortably."

He walked over, gently adjusted her shawl, and took her cold hand in his as they headed downstairs together.

It wasn’t until they arrived that Janet realized where they were going—SK Group was hosting a celebration party for the newly completed Golden Bay Resort, a project that had originally belonged to Black Rock Co. The grand opening was tonight.

As soon as they stepped into the glittering hall, Janet noticed a familiar, arrogant silhouette looking straight in their direction.

"Janet! Over here!"

A high-pitched voice sliced through the air. As Janet walked beside Charles, the voice pulled her attention to the side. She turned to see Angela in a fluffy princess-style dress, holding a little girl—no more than four—standing beside Samantha and waving enthusiastically at her.

Janet remembered Angela had mentioned her before. The little girl was Samantha and Brian’s daughter.

"You should go say hi."

Janet looked at Charles, silently asking for his permission. He gave her hand a reassuring pat and nodded.

"Okay."

With his approval, she walked toward Angela and the others. The last time they met was at Angela and Shaun’s daughter’s birthday party—she hadn’t expected to see them again so soon.

"Isn’t Samantha’s daughter just adorable?" Angela beamed as she gently pinched the little girl’s cheek and motioned to Janet. "Maisy, be good—say hi to Auntie Janet."

"Hello, Auntie!"

Little Maisy wore a white chiffon dress, her delicate features exuding grace and quiet elegance. There was something about her—an innate sense of nobility that reminded Janet a bit of Brian.

"You’re such a sweetheart, Maisy."

Janet couldn’t help but smile. Looking at this beautiful little girl made her heart ache with a mix of envy and tenderness. She instinctively touched her stomach.

Would her own baby take after Charles—calm and steady? Or be more like her—quiet and gentle?

Deep down, she hoped for a girl. She knew Charles liked girls who reminded him of her, just as much as she did.

"Is Maisy the same age as Callum?"

Janet took the girl from Angela’s arms, inhaling the soft, innocent scent unique to children. The smell instantly brought Callum to mind.

"Mm, she’s two months older than Callum," Angela said with a chuckle. "Look at her—so much more well-behaved than my little troublemaker. I swear, that girl throws a fit every time she doesn’t get her way. I don’t even know where she gets that temper from. She’s more attached to Shaun than me these days."

"Janet, are you feeling unwell? Maybe you should put Maisy down—she can walk on her own."

Samantha had noticed the pale, almost translucent look on Janet’s face. Concerned, she gently helped set Maisy down and led them toward the sitting area.

Maisy clearly adored Angela. Once inside the hall, she clung tightly to her hand and followed behind Samantha and Janet. Within moments, the pair had disappeared into the crowd.

Janet’s eyes wandered, scanning the crowd. Then she spotted Charles—elegant and striking under the chandelier’s glow, holding a glass of champagne and chatting with Brian.

Off to the side, Shaun stood next to a cold, stern-looking man. Janet recognized him—it was Steven, someone she’d briefly met once before.

A moment later, Samantha returned with a glass of juice and handed it to her.

"Thank you," Janet said softly. She watched Samantha exchange a glance with Brian and couldn’t help the wistful smile on her lips.

"You and Brian... You must be very happy together, huh?"

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