Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 440

At the Turner Manor.

Inside the blanket, the person had gained many spots and marks. Due to lying down, the pure white,

soft, silky pajamas revealed faint traces around the collarbone.

The man’s upper body was bare, his head half–leaning against the headboard. The girl rested against

his smooth chest. On his tanned chest was a painting of intersecting lines, thin and thick, forming a

complex pattern.

The girl extended her arm in front of the man, looking at her palm and then her nails. Finally, she

glanced at the man’s chest with a hint of concern. “Frank, should I trim my nails?”

Frank licked the corner of his mouth with his tongue, his lips slightly dry. He reached over and took a

look at the girl’s hand. Her nails were very pretty, pale green in color, with sparkling diamonds

embedded along the edges. They were transparent and reflected the light from the bedside lamp.

Frank gently touched the smooth nail surface and said with a pleased expression, “No need, it doesn’t

hurt.”

‘Doesn’t it hurt? Seems like I scratched it pretty deep. As Ava spoke, she half–bent her body and

reached out to touch the scars on Frank’s body, saying, “This one’s scabbed over a bit.

Frank was a bit thirsty and needed some water. He was also planning to put on his clothes. Ava kept

touching his wounds and tattoos, making him feel somewhat uneasy. He changed the subject. “Hmm,

are you thirsty, Baby Ava?”

Ava replied, “I’d like some juice, orange juice.”

Frank propped her head gently on the pillow and went to put on his pajamas. “I’ll get it for you now.

Anything else you want to eat?”

“Nothing else.”

“Alright.

Watching Frank’s departing figure, Ava smiled. Actually, Frank didn’t intend to have sex with her

tonight, but she had initiated it. Ava knew that Frank’s time in Sapphire City was limited, so she wanted

to fulfill whatever he desired, including herself.

Downstairs, Frank put on his pajamas and slippers, unexpectedly finding Emma in the kitchen. This

made him a bit embarrassed.

He felt inexplicably guilty. Maybe it was because of what he had done to Ava earlier. Facing her mother

like this made him uneasy. However, he still politely greeted her. “Emma.”

Emma was in the kitchen making swift grain essence soup. Seeing Frank in his pajamas coming over,

she responded with a smile, “Hungry?”

Frank stood politely outside the kitchen, not entering. “Baby Ava’s a bit thirsty and wants orange juice. I

came down to help

her.”

At this moment, Emma was dressed in a jasmine–patterned silk pajama, her hair tied up elegantly at

the back of her head. She responded gracefully, and no other meaning could be inferred from her

words. “Bring the swift grain up for her. Don’t drink too much orange juice at night, as the sourness isn’t

good for her stomach. If she’s thirsty, have her drink water. And this one is for you.”

Frank’s lips curved slightly as he smiled and replied, “Sure, Emma.”

He had a feeling that Emma had specially prepared this for them, but he didn’t expose it. He carried the

two bowls of swift grain on a tray and brought them upstairs.

Ava was already sitting up. Seeing Frank enter with something other than orange juice, she couldn’t

see it clearly from where she sat on the bed. Curious, she asked, “Frank, what’s that?”

Frank placed the swift grain on the table beside them and walked to the edge of the bed. “Emma made

some swift grain. Have some. Need a hand?”

“No need. You were quite gentle tonight. I can get up by myself

Frank fell silent. Did this mean he was too gentle in bed? He felt somewhat insulted by the

unintentional words of Ava.

Completely unaware that her words had touched a nerve with Frank, Ava walked barefoot to the table

and sat down on the floor with nimble movements. Watching this scene, Frank was convinced that she

was right. He had indeed been too gentle in bed tonight.

“It’s swift grain essence soup. Why did Mom think of making this? Whenever my throat wasn’t well, she

always made this, saying it’s good for the throat.”

Given that Emma made the soup late at night, it inevitably left Ava puzzled. Her words confirmed

Frank’s suspicions, and he smiled before calmly replying. “Season’s changing, and Emma is worried

about your throat.”

Ava didn’t delve into the deeper meaning of the response. She just realized it was almost summer, and

it was indeed time for a season change.

“Yeah, it’s almost summer, Frank, do you like Sapphire City?”

Frank had the swift grain made by Emma, feeling content. While continuing to eat, he responded. “I like

it.” Because Ava was in the city.

“I also like Athana and many other people, but I like you the most.

Frank almost choked on his food due to this sudden confession. He cleared his throat and swallowed.

“Finish eating and go brush your teeth.”

In the evening, Ava was relentless in discussing this topic. With a cute smile on her face, she

continued. “Oh, alright. Do you like me?”

Frank wasn’t accustomed to constantly expressing his feelings verbally, but knowing the girl wanted to

hear, he was willing to say, “I like you.”

Ava happily smiled like a child and replied, “Hahaha, noted.”

Frank shook his head helplessly, reaching over to pinch her cheek “Hurry up and eat.”

“Okay.”

After finishing the meal, Frank handed Ava a tissue to wipe her mouth. His phone received a text

message from Hackett. [Enjoying the time with your babe too much and not coming back, huh?]

Seeing this message, Frank’s expression turned cold again. He replied, [Are you fucking falling in love

with me or something? Can’t survive a day without messaging me?]

Hackett replied, [That is mainly because I miss you.]

Frank texted. [Fuck off. Go bother someone else.]

Hackett continued. [Tell me a time. Are you not coming back for my wedding? I’m short of groomsmen,

and you’re important.]

Frank replied, [Remember to pay ine]

Hackett texted. [Aren’t you showing up for free at Trevon’s wedding? Why do I have to pay you? Do

you think I have a lot of money?]

Frank replied seriously. [He’s family.]

Well, this reply left Hackett with no way to respond. No way at all. After all, Trevon and Frank were

family. He thought to himself, “Picking on an outsider like me? Just wait until your wedding. I’ll make

you pay when you get married” Hackett was secretly plotting in his mind.

The next evening. As Rose had to go to work the next day, she reluctantly ended this wonderful trip.

Before departing, she sent a message to Frank. [Dear brother, I’m boarding the plane.]

After sending the message, Rose put away her phone and made up her mind. She had enjoyed

herself, but starting tomorrow, she would need to focus on work.

Edward seemed accustomed to the fact that Rose fell asleep as soon as she boarded the plane. As

usual, he took a blanket and waited. As expected, after gazing at the scenery for a while, Rose fell

asleep peacefully. Her head rested on his shoulder. After two days of travel, their relationship had

grown even closer. Edward had transitioned from casually wrapping his arm around her waist to

embracing her in his arms.

Rose was always behaving mischievously but now appeared docile, creating a strong contrast.

After this trip together, Edward felt that he understood Rose better. He sensed a hidden scar deep

within her, a regret regarding her family.

A few hours later. Edward dropped Rose off at the junction near the Roberts residence and switched

the car with Tom.

Tom quickly got out of the car, relocated the luggage, closed the trunk, and then sat in the driver’s seat,

waiting for Rose to get in. He wasn’t rushing, showing no signs of impatience. He quietly played the

role of a driver, undistracted by everything happening around him.

Inside the car, the couple was bidding farewell. Rose flicked her hair and said, “Well, I’m leaving. Bye.

Drive carefully on your way back.”

A sense of reluctance welled up in Edward’s heart as he replied, “Alright, get some rest.

Rose nodded, smiling, and asked, “Do you want a goodbye kiss?

Before she could finish speaking, Edward held the back of her head and kissed her. What began as a

light peck deepened into a more passionate exchange. However, Edward had a sense of propriety and

pulled away after a moment. “Go on, call me if