Since She Met Lucian

Just as Lucian handed over the framed painting to Nicholas, Nicholas's smile widened to form a pleasant grin.

No matter who had made this painting, Nicholas was moved by Lucian's intention.

Lucian had always been aloof ever since Fiona passed away. He seldom returned to the Zhan mansion for the Spring Festival. Nicholas found it both surprising and pleasant to have dinner with his son.

Fannie stayed silent and just stood in one corner, glaring at Amelia at the same time.

"Mom, this is what Amelia chose for you." Lucian took the clothes from the bag and handed them to Fannie.

Fannie's expressions changed at that. Her face turned from slightly surprised to indifferent in a few seconds. She looked coldly at Amelia and said, "I have many clothes. I don't need these."

Amelia's heart trembled when Fannie rejected her gift bluntly. After recovering from her shock, she forced a smile.

Before she could open her mouth, Lucian interrupted, "All right." Lucian's expression was cold and icy when he stuffed the clothes back in the bag.

"It's the New Year's Eve, Fannie. Why can't you at least pretend to be happy?" Nicholas couldn't stand still after seeing Fannie's behavior. Seriousness floated in his eyes when he gazed at her.

Fannie clutched her fist tightly and glared at Nicholas. She took multiple breaths to suppress her anger. "Do I have to grin all the time just to make you happy?"

Nicholas was speechless and sighed deeply.

Fannie ruined the serene atmosphere between Lucian and his father.

Lucian ignored Fannie and walked toward Amelia. He held her hand gently and whispered soothingly, "It's okay."

Amelia's lips stretched to form a faint smile. Her heart didn't have a trace of anger or distress anymore. She had expected Fannie to behave like that anyway.

After eating, both Nicholas and Lucian went to the study while Amelia waited in the living room.

Fannie was calmly staring at the cup in her hand, and she sipped it again. Fannie seemed calm on the surface. She didn't even gaze at Amelia with her displeased expressions. Amelia glanced at the woman and shifted uneasily on her seat as if she wanted to say something. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. What if she ended up annoying Fannie again? The silence made her feel even more awkward.

"I know Lucian and his father like you already, but I won't. And don't worry, I won't accept you for the rest of my life," Fannie said coldly.

Those words made Amelia's heart feel suffocated. She averted her eyes and looked down.

Before silence between them could become even more awkward, Lucian walked downstairs and took hold of Amelia's hand. He didn't even glance at Fannie and said, "Happy New Year, mom. We should go home."

face away. She picked up her coffee and continued to drink, ignoring Amelia's and Lucian's

out his frowning wife, deciding to head home. They were silent for their entire journey. Just as Lucian got out of the car, he observed a weird expression on Amelia's face. "Amelia, didn't you promise not to take Fannie seriously?

touched her forehead and asked, "Did

playful smile on his lips. He urged her to sit on the couch and asked,

when

dramatically beating drums before revealing some mystery. Lucian took out two red packets from his coat and handed them to Amelia. "This one is from father,

at the red packets in a daze. The packets had a lot of money. Her heart floated

handed just before dying. Amelia used to feel distressed at this time of the year because she would be reminded of that painful memory. When she looked at the two red packets in her hand, her eyes moistened. She didn't know what to

with her family members. That meant Lucian and Amelia were alone in the huge villa. It was Amelia who decided to cook

the dishes she would make. Just as Amelia was about to

Amelia couldn't believe what she heard. 'He can't even wash the

don't have to take care of the chores tonight. You have done enough already. Go and watch TV."

didn't believe in Lucian's cooking skills, but

didn't like to be stared at by others while cooking. Just as he opened the fridge, he felt someone's stare on his back, and he turned

she had to leave. "All right." Amelia pouted and watched TV

took over her heart, and she sneaked into the kitchen. Lucian was standing in the dining room, holding a bottle of red wine. He placed it on a round table draped with a red cloth. In the middle, she could see a giant white candle bursting with yellow light. Then she saw him taking other

and covered her mouth. She was so

second. "Amelia, please turn off the lights." He

table, he backed up and looked at his arrangement. The entire table was decorated with lily flowers on the edges with candles in the middle. Two plates filled with delicious

at the table decorated with candles, and a

pulled her in his embrace. The atmosphere seemed both romantic and bright. That was when she returned to Earth and looked at Lucian. Candlelight reflected on his handsome face, carving out everything perfectly. Her heart jumped to her throat upon seeing

cakes entered her lungs, and she closed her eyes. Her

face. "Mrs. Amelia, have a seat, and try it." A faint smile graced Lucian's

cooking, but she could tell that he

smiled. Her heart was deeply moved. "You know, this is my

first time too." He beamed at

were fixed on Lucian as he guzzled the wine. He looked alluring in the candlelight, making her heart skip a

with it. Their eyes met one another, and

to her mouth and emptied it

but he didn't feel like setting too many restrictions on her. Back when they went for dinner in a western-style restaurant, he had realized the fact that Amelia loved her freedom. They were at home anyway. He could take care of her,

he could do anything, a small figure fell in his arms. Just as he realized who he was, she snuggled closer. He held

went soft in his arms. Her cheeks were burning because of

face lit up in yellowish color. A trace of warmth spread in

She put her hands on the nape of his neck and pulled him closer, kissing