Together Apart: Her White Moonlight Has Returned Too-Chapter 199: Living in the Present

Cleo Sutton looked incredulously at the woman in front of her. She urgently picked up the photograph on the table.

A black-and-white photo, showing a little girl with twin ponytails, smiling sweetly, looking only about two or three years old.

"Do you think you can fool me with just any photo?"

Melinda Shelby sneered, "Cleo Sutton, take a closer look at this child. Her eyebrows and eyes when she was young look exactly like yours when you were younger."

Cleo Sutton gazed at the photo, somewhat yearningly at the girl’s face. Could this really be her daughter?

"Unfortunately, after growing up, she doesn’t look so much like you anymore." Melinda Shelby said slowly, "She probably takes after her father more."

Cleo Sutton’s hands trembled uncontrollably, "Where is she?"

Melinda Shelby’s gaze swept over to Vera Yves not far away, a fierce light flashing in her eyes, "If you want to know, tell Tristan Valentine to destroy what he has."

Cleo Sutton regained her composure, "Tell me where she is, and maybe I can persuade Tristan to spare you."

"Cleo Sutton, what right do you have to negotiate with me?"

"Just because you came to me."

Melinda Shelby looked at the woman in front of her, as if returning to that afternoon many years ago. Though her body had weakened considerably, her eyes were as determined as ever in her memory.

"You’re nothing but a third party who broke up someone else’s family. I think if Old Mr. Sutton knew from the afterlife that his beloved daughter was a man’s mistress for so many years, he would be deeply ashamed of you."

Cleo Sutton stared straight at her, "If he knows in the afterlife, you shouldn’t have a peaceful night’s sleep."

Melinda Shelby sneered, "Cleo Sutton, I can let you find her, or I can ensure you never see her."

"Everyone has to pay for the mistakes they’ve made." Cleo Sutton put away the photo. "You should be no exception."

Melinda Shelby tightened her grip on her coffee cup, "Do you truly believe that Tristan Valentine can put me away?"

Cleo Sutton’s voice was calm, "That day will come, it’s just a matter of time."

Seeing Cleo Sutton turning her wheelchair around, Vera Yves hurriedly stood up and walked to her side to help push the wheelchair.

Watching Vera’s eager demeanor, Melinda Shelby stood up, gracefully smoothing her hair. "This is just an appetizer, our game is just beginning."

Vera Yves glanced at Melinda Shelby, watching her leave calmly and composedly.

On the way back, Cleo Sutton’s mood was much improved, though Vera Yves had thought she would be affected by Melinda Shelby.

Cleo Sutton clutched the photo; her child hadn’t died but lived well, smiling so happily. She surely lived a blissful life, which was enough for her.

In the afternoon when Vera Yves returned to the villa, she found Mark Yves lounging on the sofa, his arm already free of the splint and only wrapped with a white bandage.

Vera Yves walked over and kicked him. "You still know how to come back?"

Winston Valentine happened to be coming down from upstairs with Harry Yves.

Mark Yves was about to say something but glanced at Winston Valentine and mumbled, "This is my home, of course, I know how to come back!"

If Winston Valentine hadn’t dragged him back from the club, he really wouldn’t have wanted to return.

Not officially remarried yet, but already acting like he’s my brother-in-law?

Vera Yves was still somewhat unaccustomed to seeing Winston Valentine appear so naturally in The Yves Family. She shot a disdainful glance at Mark Yves, "How rare, you still remember this is your home."

Winston Valentine walked into the living room, "He’s been staying at a billiards club, the owner is a friend of his."

Vera Yves was a bit surprised, "You brought him back?"

"Who else? You expect him to come back on his own?"

Hannah Hayes happened to come in with a tray of washed fruit, "What are you standing there for? Have a seat."

Putting the fruit on the coffee table, Hannah Hayes glanced at Winston Valentine, her attitude not overly warm but not rejecting either, "Stay for dinner tonight."

Winston Valentine took Vera Yves’ hand, "Then I’ll gladly accept your hospitality."

After sitting in the living room for a while, Vera Yves went upstairs to change clothes, planning to help Hannah Hayes in the kitchen, and Winston Valentine went back to the room with her.

Once the door was closed, Winston Valentine hugged Vera Yves and kissed her, "Did you miss me?"

Vera Yves hugged him back briefly, "I did."

When she saw Cleo Sutton sitting across from Melinda Shelby, she indeed thought of him. Growing up in such a dysfunctional family, his childhood probably didn’t hold much happiness.

Winston Valentine hugged her tighter, inhaling her fragrant scent, "Then kiss me and show me how much you missed me."

Vera Yves stood on tiptoes, pecking his lips lightly.

His lips chased after hers, kissing her deeply, and Vera Yves was left gasping for breath. Winston Valentine smirked, tapping her nose, "Seems like I missed you more."

Half an hour later, they went downstairs together. Vera Yves had changed into casual clothes, her cheeks still flushed, and she slipped off to the kitchen to help.

Hannah Hayes glanced at her, "Took long enough changing clothes, anyone would think you were picking out a formal dress."

Vera Yves felt a bit guilty.

Hannah Hayes continued, "If you really like him that much, remarry him. Your dad and I won’t stop you."

"Mom, has he fed you some sedative to switch sides so quickly?"

Hannah Hayes looked at her with exasperation, "Am I switching sides? I just see that you’re not on the same level as him. All your little tricks are useless against him. You might as well just remarry him and save your dad and me some worry."

Vera Yves: ...

"I think it’s fine the way it is now."

"How old is Winston Valentine this year? How many days do you think he’ll allow for this situation? Even if he’s not anxious, The Valentine Family surely will be. When you got married before, Old Mrs. Valentine was constantly urging you to have children. Do you still hope for a lifelong romance without marriage?"

How much must you love someone to want to marry them? Vera Yves gazed out the window, lost in thought. How much must you love someone to forget past hurt and embrace them wholeheartedly?

"I never thought about spending my life with him." Vera Yves said softly, "Isn’t living in the moment good enough?"

Hannah Hayes had prepared about a dozen dishes, a grand feast, each tried seriously by Winston Valentine, showing great appreciation.

Hannah Hayes was in high spirits, inviting him to stay for tea after the meal.

Harry Yves turned on the TV, and one channel happened to be replaying the second episode Vera Yves had recorded. Watching the serious look on her face as she diagnosed and interacted with a patient, Harry Yves’s expression darkened a bit.

Hannah Hayes noticed his displeasure and tried to change the channel, but Harry Yves took the remote control, "Let’s watch."

The screen showed Vera Yves and Noah Hayes discussing a patient’s condition.

The patient had a gastrointestinal illness compounded by menopausal stress, causing significant mental strain, having visited several hospitals with no resolution.

When the episode aired, Vera Yves was busy forming a team and hadn’t had the time to watch.

She remembered having discussed the treatment plan with another elderly gentleman adept in internal medicine, who gave her a thumbs-up for her proposed treatment plan. Vera Yves had smiled at him in response.

But after the show was edited with music added, it seemed like she and Noah Hayes were exchanging tender glances.

Vera Yves was left speechless, an inexplicable chill running down her spine.