Chapter 1004


    Chapter 1004


    It was a rare asion to have the entire extended family gathered together like this for the  family


    reunion dinner,


    In the evening, everyone was in high spirits, having enjoyed a bit of alcohol,


    Violet took advantage of the festive atmosphere and insisted that Gary and Lewis stay.


    Since Larissa woke up early after a day without proper rest, she was already feeling quite sleepy even


    though the reunion dinner TV celebration had just begun.


    Violet was understanding and told her to go to bed.


    Larissa tried to muster her energy to stay uD.


    “No, I at least wat until after midnight.”


    She wasn’t someone who adhered to rituals or traditions.


    In previous years, she wouldn’t have stayed upte specifically to wee the big family reunion


    dinner day.


    But this year was different.


    She had thepanionship of her family.


    She was no longer a drifting, rootless nt in a foreignnd,


    Kevan furrowed his brows slightly and gave her a gente cush


    “You should get some sleep. I wake you up when it’s almost midnight.”


    He noticed her tired expression.


    He felt both empathy and a pang of difort.


    He understood what was on her mind and felt even more guilty for not being by her side in the previous


    years.


    As Kevan spoke, several older family members begar to join his side.


    Even Aster joined in, tugging at her hand and insisting on pulling her out of the couch.


    Larissa couldn’t resist their collective efforts.


    So, she exchanged greetings with everyone, and with a yawn, reluctantly headed upstairs.


    “Hey, Larissa! Wake up! it’s almost midnight!”


    She was roused from sleep by someone palling herce,


    When she opened her eyes, she was met with Lewis’s mischievous face.


    She swatted his hand away to exact her revenge and then asked. “Why are you waking me up?


    Where’s Kevan?”


    “He’s downstairs. Aster is keeping him from leaving so I came up,” he exined with a wince as he


    rubbed the spot where she’d hit him.


    “Well, you were the one who started it by hitting me first. Don’t try to shift the me.” Larissa retorted.


    She pushed aside the nket and sal up.


    She ran her hand through her hair casually and asked. “What time is it now?”


    He illuminated his phone to check the time. “It’s 11:59 pm. The countdown is about to start.”


    “So soon?” Larissa felt like she hadn’t slept for long. “We need to get downstairs quickly, or we’ll miss it


    Lewis grabbed her wrist, holding her back. “Not sost”


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    +15 BONOS


    Larissa expected that they would be sitting together in front of the TV, watching the celebration, and


    weing the big family reunion dinner with her family.


    “Just give it a little more time,” Lewis replied, turning to look out of the dark window.


    She followed his gaze and suddenly noticed something amiss. “Huh..”


    Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    The courtyard lights seemed to have gone off at some point, leaving only a thick darkness outside.


    “Five!”


    “Four!”


    Larissa heard Aster’s voiceing from the courtyard below.


    Aster’s voice was clear, sweel, and filled with excitement.


    “Three


    *Two!”


    Before Larissa could reach the window, the final countdown concluded.


    At the same time, there was a whoosh of rushing air. The next moment, colorful fireworks lit up the


    night sky,


    Bang!


    This fireworks disysted for more than ten minutes.


    She stood by the window, covering her ears, watching as the fireworks rose, exploded, and vanished.


    When it all ended, she could still imagine the remnants of the fireworks.


    She closed her eyes for a moment.


    Then, she turned around and suddenly found herself in a warm, solid embrace.


    “Happy Reunion Day!” Kevan’s low and gentle voice sounded above her.


    She was momentarily taken aback, but she quickly reached out and hugged him.