Boat Against the Current

Her words and sudden tears caused River to panic. In the four years they had been together, he had never seen Lucille look so helpless and upset.

No matter what happened before this, she would only ever smile brightly at him — because she never wanted him to think she was losing faith in their love.

He did not know what exactly had happened, but he still hugged her on instinct. “I’m sorry, sweetie. Don’t cry, I shouldn’t have done that. I only lost control because you welcomed her into the family.”

After that, he tried to kiss her again. He was even gentler than usual, but Lucille pushed him away again.

“Period.”

“Even after so long?”

“Yes, probably because I had a fever that day.”

Worry flashed through River’s eyes when he remembered how weak she was during her fever. He stopped pressuring her, instead carrying her into her room tenderly. He turned off the lights and hugged her in bed.

Lucille was too tired to keep her eyes open. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

River stared dazedly at her peaceful sleeping face under the night lights. A bunch of messy memories ran through his head. It was only at three in the morning that he finally brushed a tender kiss on her forehead and drifted off to sleep.

The curtains were not drawn. The morning sunlight woke River up.

Lucille was still fall asleep next to him. She turned slightly, and his numb arm began to feel sore.

River opened his eyes and saw that the clock showed nine in the morning. He was stunned.

Why didn’t his biological clock wake him this time? The family always had breakfast at this hour, so he quickly leaped out of bed.

He opened the door, planning to creep back to his room. However, he had barely taken a few steps before Victoria appeared at the stairs. She froze when she saw him coming out of her daughter’s room in his pajamas.

“River?!”

River could not help but look at his messy clothes. His heart was about to leap out of his chest.

Victoria was starting to put two and two together. Her expression turned stern. “River, why were you coming out of Lucy’s room?!”

River had just woken up, and his brain was malfunctioning. Just as he was at a loss on how to explain, the door suddenly opened behind him.

Lucille appeared, properly dressed. She looked at the two of them calmly. “Morning, Mom. Thanks for waking me up for breakfast, River.”

So it was all a misunderstanding. Victoria’s heart settled back in her chest, and she waved at her children. “Well, hurry up and come down for breakfast.”

“Okay.” Lucille quickly walked to her mother’s side and held Victoria’s hand as they went down the stairs. After that, though, she froze.

Sophia was sitting at the table, waving at her with a smile. “Hi, Lucy! I’m here to discuss the wedding with River. I hope you don’t mind.”

Victoria replied with a smile before Lucille could say anything. “What are you talking about, Sophia? Lucille is River’s sister, and you’re his girlfriend. Why should she mind when you’re discussing your wedding?”

She then gave Lucille a look.

Lucille understood. From now on, she was just his sister. Why should she mind?

She sat at the dining table and listened as Sophia bugged River about their wedding.

“River, how about a garden wedding? Or should we get married at the beach? Do you want a diamond ring, or do you like any other gems…?”