Chapter 778

Only Janice could feel whether Wade was suitable for her.
Even if Ariel, as an onlooker, could tell that Wade might not be all that enthusiastic, Janice’s feelings were real. It wasn’t something that could be dismissed with a few words.
Janice didn’t quite understand.
Chad stepped forward. When he noticed the hope in Janice’s expression, his gaze darkened as he said, “Call me if anything comes up, okay?”
Janice waved her hand. “Okay. You’re treating me like a kid.”
Chad said nothing more.
As he prepared to leave, his gaze swept over Wade.
Jayson, on the other hand, didn’t concern himself with anyone except Ariel. Once the meeting wrapped up, he simply took Ariel’s wrist and led her out.
Ariel glanced at his profile. There were actually a few things she wanted to ask him.
After Ariel, Jayson, and Elsie left, the group reached the exit. Alicia hadn’t gotten into her car yet.
Bradley, familiar with Wade, nudged his shoulder and smirked at Janice. “Well, well, Wade. You’ve been hiding a fiancee from us all this time, huh?”
Roland added, “How could you do this? You never even introduced her.”
Wade wasn’t interested in the conversation.
Alicia just smiled. “Wade’s a quiet one. You know that.”
Roland exclaimed, “Well, he’s not quiet in his actions. He treats you really well.”
Alicia looked down, smiling softly, and didn’t deny it.
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Janice stood nearby, a strange feeling knotting in her chest.
Wade’s circle of friends was so familiar with Alicia, yet she had never been part of it. He had never mentioned her even in passing. No one knew she was the woman he was about to marry.
Before getting into the car, Alicia glanced at Janice, who was still looking down and distracted. “Jan, let’s chat another time. I won’t disturb you and Wade. Have him take you out for a drive and have some fun.”
Janice found herself measuring her words and actions, only able to nod in front of Alicia. It was probably because Wade was always so attentive toward her.
Wade walked Alicia to the car and bent slightly. “Tell me when you’re home.”
Alicia stuck her tongue out. “Alright, stop nagging.”
Their bond was something ordinary siblings could hardly compare to.
Janice clenched her fists again.
Bradley and Roland got in their cars one by one, leaving only Janice and Wade.
Wade looked at her. “Any plans?”
He clearly didn’t know how to celebrate her birthday.
Janice shook her head.
Wade gestured. “Come on, get in. I’ll take you out for dinner.”
Janice was nervous because they hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Wade hadn’t returned to Croinia for two years. Today was their first meeting in a while, and a small hope fluttered in her chest.
She got into the passenger seat.
As she settled, she noticed something in Wade’s car that didn’t match his usual rugged image.
Hanging from the rearview mirror used to be a good luck charm she had gotten for Wade. But now, it was replaced by a cute little rabbit charm.
Wade’s life as a special operations pilot was dangerous, and training could sometimes go wrong.
So Janice had made a special trip to a renowned shrine to pray for the good luck charm. She had hiked all night- 13 straight hours–just to reach it, hoping he would always stay safe.
Now the good luck charm she had prayed for was gone. It felt like her symbol had been silently erased.
If she remembered correctly, Alicia loved rabbits.
Janice’s heart twisted. After a long moment, she finally asked, “What happened to the good luck charm I gave you?”
Wade froze as he fastened his seatbelt, then replied casually, “Probably lost it.” (3)
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Chapter 779
Wade’s words hung in the air. Get full chapters from.net
The flicker of light in Janice’s eyes dimmed, and her throat suddenly felt tight. She couldn’t quite name the feeling. Nothing seemed wrong, yet everything pricked at her chest, sharp and insistent.
She hadn’t expected Wade to say the words “lost it” so casually, as if the good luck charm didn’t matter at all.
But he knew how she had gone through all that effort to get him the charm.
Back then, Wade had looked at her with a mix of helplessness and exasperation. Patting her head, he asked, ” Are you serious? Will this thing even work? Why go to all this trouble?”
Janice had done it willingly, so she replied proudly, “This is my way of showing I care. If the heavens see my sincerity, they’ll watch over you and keep you safe.”
She even remembered the softness in his eyes back then. Even though he wasn’t someone who easily expressed his emotions, she had felt a subtle difference at that time.
Now, her good luck charm was gone.
Janice stared at the rabbit charm that had replaced it. After a long moment–one that even made Wade think the matter was settled–she asked, “Can you take this off? I don’t really like it. It doesn’t suit you.”
Of course, she didn’t ask who had hung the rabbit charm there. She knew, but she didn’t pry. She only voiced her
own wish.
Wade had started the car. Glancing at the light purple rabbit in his peripheral vision, he asked, “Does it really bother you that much?”
His tone held no particular emotion, but Janice sensed that he didn’t want to take it off.
She knew she might be overreacting and letting her imagination get the better of her. Maybe she was even being … unreasonable.
After all, everyone knew Wade and Alicia were siblings. She was the only one making a fuss, yet she couldn’t help feeling upset.
However, Wade didn’t seem to notice her mood.
Janice pressed her lips together and looked away. Finally, she summoned the courage to ask, “Wade, do you not like me at all?”
Wade frowned at that question, and a flash of surprise crossed his features. He hadn’t expected her to ask something like that.
He glanced at her. “Don’t overthink things.”
His reply hit Janice in a way she couldn’t describe. It felt like the emotions she needed to confront had suddenly lodged in her throat.
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But since Wade already said that, what else could she even say? Any words she said would just be dismissed as her “overthinking“.
She exhaled softly. “Oh.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Wade didn’t try to coax her further. Considering their lifelong acquaintance, he believed there was no reason to obsess over such small matters, as they never had any significant issues between them.
The car pulled into a restaurant parking lot.
This place was usually hard to get a reservation at, but Wade had arranged it as soon as he left the clubhouse. After all, it was a birthday celebration. It deserved some planning.
Janice stepped out first.
She looked up at the restaurant. It was a place she genuinely liked, and a small lift came to her spirits. She reminded herself not to overthink and not to get caught up in worries.
She was about to turn to Wade to ask what he wanted to eat, only to see him still in the driver’s seat, talking on the phone.
She couldn’t hear the conversation, but his brow furrowed sharply. “Is it serious? She hurt her calf?”
The voice on the other end of the line responded.