Chapter 1419: Our Promise—May This Day Return Year After Year

Although the fireworks had ended, the two of them were not in a hurry to leave and stayed for a while at the top of the mountain.

The winter in the north is quite monotonous; all the eyes can see is large patches of white. Because many firecrackers were set off, the air wasn’t very good, filled with the smell of gunpowder.

“Achoo…” Sienna Johnson sneezed.

“Caught a cold?”

Sienna shook her head and rubbed her nose, “No, it’s just too cold outside; my nose can’t handle it.”

“Let’s go then.”

“Okay.”

The two of them, hand in hand, walked down the mountain.

The road was covered in snow, and the sound of firecrackers rose and fell around them. Sienna guessed it must be close to midnight; the new year had arrived again.

“Adrian…”

“Hmm?” Adrian Desmond looked at Sienna, who was smiling. She said, “Happy New Year, Adrian.”

“Happy New Year.”

Sienna tightened her grip on Adrian’s hand, hoping they could have each day like today, year after year.

…

When they returned, the children couldn’t stay awake and had already gone to bed.

Sienna went to check on several children, who were asleep in one room. Curly wasn’t sleeping soundly and had one leg pressed against Dylan’s chest, so Sienna took it off.

Sheehan and Dominic were squeezed onto a small bed, heads touching, sleeping soundly.

Sienna went to check on the twins; the nanny was taking care of them, so Sienna wasn’t too worried.

“Madam…” the three nannies greeted Sienna as she came in.

“Hugo didn’t make a fuss, did he?”

“No, we held him to watch the fireworks today; he got tired and fell asleep early.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“It’s no trouble,” the three of them said, flattered.

Because Sheehan had been harmed by a nanny before, they were much more cautious when hiring more. These three nannies were all found by Adrian. Sienna didn’t know much about their backgrounds.

Sienna asked if they were going home for the Lunar New Year, but none of them were going.

“Just leave one person to watch over them, and the rest of you can rest early,” Sienna said.

“Yes, Madam.”

After checking on the children, Sienna returned to the main hall to join everyone in staying up for New Year’s Eve.

On New Year’s Eve, after watching the fireworks, Pauline Briggs wasn’t tired at all, feeling quite spirited. She invited everyone to play Mahjong, waiting for the arrival of the new year.

Originally, the plan was to set off the fireworks at midnight, but because the children couldn’t stay up that late, they did it after dinner.

“Adrian, Kiya, come play Mahjong,” Pauline warmly invited.

Adrian really didn’t want to play cards with his difficult mother-in-law. Winning wasn’t right, and losing wasn’t right either.

Kiya, on the other hand, was quite interested in Oriental Mahjong. Pauline, pleased, looked at Kiya, and seeing Adrian dawdling, she said, “Adrian, what are you doing? Hurry up, we’re only waiting for you.”

Adrian said to Sienna, “I don’t want to play.”

Sienna advised Adrian on how to please her mother, “It’s rare for my mom to be in such high spirits, and it’s New Year’s Eve. Just play with her. Remember, don’t always win, and don’t always lose. It’s good to win twice out of ten games.”

“Okay.” Adrian reluctantly went over.

More than playing cards with his mother-in-law, Adrian wanted to spend time with his wife. His wife was usually busy with work, and during the new year, he just wanted to spend more time with Sienna.

“Mom, how long are we playing today?” Adrian asked as he sat next to Pauline, drawing tiles.

Pauline laughed, “It’s the New Year, we’re happy, so we play until we’re satisfied.”

Adrian: …

…

While Pauline and Adrian played Mahjong, Sienna chatted with Rose Collins.

Nana wasn’t there, so Rose asked, “Where’s Sally? Why didn’t I see Sally?”

Sienna said, “I didn’t let her come over.”

Sally’s affection for Marvin Rafael wasn’t a secret. Although Sally didn’t talk much, Rose really liked her. But since her son didn’t like Sally, there was nothing Rose could do.

“Sally is a good child. I believe Sally will find her own destiny.”

Sienna smiled, “She will.”

Rose looked at Sienna. Sienna had always been beautiful and smart from a young age. Seeing her so happy now, Rose felt particularly delighted.

“Mom, why are you staring at me?”

“They say a woman nurtured by love becomes more beautiful, and I find this true. No wonder you’re getting more beautiful.”

The word “nurtured” reminded Sienna of the events in the small Forest, and she blushed, lowering her head to hide her embarrassment.

“What are you shy about?”

Rose looked at Adrian playing Mahjong, and Adrian was handsome, with an aura that young girls nowadays would call “cool.”

Young girls these days like cool men, and Rose was worried.

“Adrian, keep an eye on him, don’t let him run away…”

Sienna, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry, said, “Mom, what are you talking about? Where could he run to?”

“Just make sure to keep an eye on him.”

Sienna felt there was something behind Rose’s words and asked, “Mom, what do you really want to say?”

“Nothing.”

“Did you see something? … Did Adrian have an affair with another woman?”

Rose saw Sienna misunderstanding and quickly shook her head, “No, no, don’t misunderstand.”

“Then why bring this up during the New Year?”

Rose looked around and said, “Do you know Barnabas Smith?”

“Who?”

Rose’s brow furrowed tightly, and she spoke in a low voice, “I’ve been holding this in my heart for a long time, and I’m bursting. I’ll tell you, but don’t say anything.”

Sienna also furrowed her brow.

It turned out to be a cliché story of infidelity. And coincidentally, today in the small Forest, the one who got cozy with Richardson Smith’s wife was Barnabas Smith.

“… That Barnabas Smith is quite good-looking, he married the Village Chief’s daughter, and his wife just gave him a son. Everything was peaceful and harmonious. Who knew that Barnabas Smith would do such a thing, and I happened to catch them. Now, whether I say something or not, it’s a dilemma…” Rose said, troubled.

“…”

“Sienna, what should I do? If I don’t say anything, I feel guilty towards Richardson and Emily. But if I do, these two families will be ruined.”

With her son married and her daughter happy, Rose didn’t have a worry in the world, until she stumbled upon Barnabas Smith’s infidelity.

Sienna thought for a moment and said, “Mom, it’s better not to meddle in such family matters.”

“But…”

“Things like this can’t stay hidden forever. You happened to catch them, but others will too eventually. They’ll be found out sooner or later. Just stay out of it…” Sienna didn’t want Rose to get involved.

Rose looked at Sienna, knowing that Sienna had always considered issues comprehensively, and nodded in agreement.