Attracted By My Ex-wife

But Anne didn't find any strangeness in Rose's choice. Gently, she said "There are no set rules in love. There had been stranger things. In the end, it all comes down to one's own choice. What other people may find unreasonable might not be so bizarre for someone else."

Anne and Rose's bond as sisters were slowly but steadily being mended as the days passed, like winter trees waking up to spring. At that moment, it had felt right to speak for her.

"You're right," Selma answered with a wry smile. She too had changed a lot, and was still changing even now. She had realized that her thoughts were a too little old-fashioned, and she was learning to accept things with a more open mind.

"Mom, it's done." Just as the three of them were thinking about what gifts they should give Rose and Mark, Eddy called.

There was expectation in his young voice. He looked at Anne with his big watery eyes, silently demanding her attention.

As they all looked at the boy, they were filled with awe.

It had only been ten minutes, but Eddy had already finished three sets of jigsaw puzzle and another set of building blocks.

Even some adults found the tasks challenging and would take time to complete them all, but Eddy had breezed through them. It was child's play to the boy. Anne felt pride spread through her chest at her son's little feat, but said nothing about it and merely smiled.

Bending down, she held Eddy's hand and watched his eyes light up with joy, his earlier dissatisfaction replaced with a big, almost cheeky grin.

"You and your little tricks. Edward, it's good to see how quick you think of ways to get praise, but don't do it too much. You might get in trouble if you take things too far," Kevin said, taking a wrongful amusement at his own son's displeasure. Call him childish, but if he didn't know any better, he would have already taken serious offense at how easily Eddy got Anne's love. And yet here he was, the husband, going through unthinkable lengths just to please his wife only to get leftovers while his son happily basked in his mother's affection.

"What are you saying?" Two stern voices asked in unison as two pairs of eyes narrowed at Kevin.

He had almost flinched at the bite of their glares. His eyes went from one woman to another and found no sympathy. They crowded around Eddy protectively, as if Kevin was the enemy. He wanted to complain. How was this fair? It was like the people around him were steadily forgetting him in favor of the little boy in their arms. And to think that he had been with them far longer, he felt more depressed. Sighing, he shut his mouth and resigned himself to his fate for what would seem to be a long, long time. He'd just go to Sam. At least he would listen and understand the woes of a spurned husband.

Bottles of beer lay sprawled on the spacious balcony of the Feng Family. Two men were sitting on the floor, their shoulder hunched forward and uncaring of their appearances.

There was no trace of embarrassment on them. The sun was setting, and dusk painted a heavy curtain of soft orange hues.

More bottles of wine were piled haphazardly behind Kevin and Sam. By now, both of them were more than a little drunk.

Despite his intoxication, Kevin had still managed to look arrogant. It was almost comical how he held on to his persona. Sam was more laid-back, just sitting quietly.

"Sam, Mark is getting married. You know, I have hated him for a long time," Kevin suddenly said. He was not usually one for talking, but the alcohol had loosened his tongue. Besides, Sam was one of his best friends, and he didn't feel the need to hide his feelings.

However, to Kevin's disappointment, Sam, his trusted friend who shared both life's joys and bitterness with him, burst out laughing. His displeasure was almost enough to sober him up.

"What are you laughing at?" Kevin asked in discontent.

Sam took a moment to catch his breath and asked, "What? Are you afraid that he would take Anne away?"

"Why would I be? Anne is mine. No one else can have her," Kevin said, his words filled with confidence.

of wine and said, "You're lucky that she likes you. If not, I doubt you would dare to be this presumptuous. You'd be nothing but a blubbering mess if that

for Anne before. It was not something he had meant to happen. It just did, and he had no control over it. She was a stubborn woman, denying even to herself that she loved Kevin. There was a time when he had wanted to take

you like the back of my own hand. I could tell that you had feelings for her. Unlucky for

likes you. That

destined to be with me. And as for you, just marry

confessions and even more words that they had left unspoken. After a silent beat, they broke off into smiles, no longer needing explanations, or gratitude, or apologies. Wordlessly, the two men understood and returned to drinking, a quiet comfort settling over them like a strong

in thoughts of the ones they loved, their lips curved with faint smiles.

what is it now?" Sam

He knew from experience that his bastard

knew. "Sam, don't you

You just couldn't bear to see other people's happiness, could you? Doesn't it ever cross your mind that if it weren't for you, they would

and looked at Sam. Instinctively, Sam knew two things: one, that Kevin was up to no good; and

He might as well join him if he couldn't stop him. The

day of the

was faring well. It was as if the sky had blessed this day with fine weather. The

so naturally, there was

in a white wedding dress. Mark looked equally dashing in his bridegroom's suit. The two were looking at each

such a family as theirs, weddings were always long and grand. It was customary for the best man and the bridesmaid

That was, until today.

mischief. He held her hands

him sternly in an attempt to hold him back. This could not

In his panic, Sam's voice came out a little too

moment, everyone's eyes were focused on him, their confusion evident. It seemed that Sam had

it came as a surprise that he suddenly wanted to

instead of showing any impatience, asked politely,

do next. On one hand, he thought it improper for him and Kevin to stir up trouble, and on a wedding no less, but he could no longer back down at Kevin's expectant face. The man might as well have held him at gunpoint,

is a little too

with people. There were hundreds of guests. What on earth was Sam

slightest. "I'm sure you can see that the room is full of people. May I ask why you think so?"

circumstances. He smiled and said, "Indeed, there are many people here today.

few activities," the guests started

became much more relaxed. Emily breathed out a sigh of

you suggest?" Mark

his question, Sam took out a piece of

were only four or five bullets. The first few suggestions were helpful to

contents thoroughly, a small frown appeared on his face. Sam had come well-prepared. Mark was put on the spot, as he couldn't show any unwillingness at the wedding, not