Chapter835OffToCartoonCity!


    Beckham prepared a new dress for Cherise to match her hair. Hesitant, she slipped into the white


    dress, feeling strangely self–conscious. ying with the puffy sleeves, she asked, “Do you think… I


    look strange or awkward in this dress?”


    At sixteen or seventeen, Cherise wouldn’t have dared to dream of owning a dress like this. Back then,


    living with her hardworking uncle and aunt in the countryside, she was sensible enough to know that


    expensive clothes were a luxury they couldn’t afford.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Now, her financial situation had changed, but…well, her age hadn’t. Staring at her reflection, she


    couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of ce.


    “Mommy, you look so beautiful! Just like me!” Beside her, Serafina, wearing a children’s version of the


    same dress, beamed.


    Mother and daughter, both in white dresses and pigtails, looked exactly alike, with one being a


    miniature version of the other.


    Damien burst intoughter, unable to contain himself. Cherise, yfully pouting, nced down at her


    outfit. “Do I look like a clown?”


    He took off his apron, walking towards her like a lovesick fool. “Nah, just… happy,” he admitted,


    squeezing her hand. “Seeing you in that dress and hairstyle, it’s like time has gone back five years.”


    He grinned. “Remember when you used to wear pigtails and braid your hair? You had the biggest,


    roundest eyes that blinked at me all the time.”


    Back then, Cherise was all pigtails, braids, and innocent doe–eyed looks. Five yearster, she had


    grown into a stunning woman, but somewhere along the way, something had changed. Seeing her in


    the dress and hairstyle that Beckham had chosen, Damien felt like he had stepped into a time machine.


    She looked like the old Cherise, but… not quite.


    Soren called out from his chair. “Hey, it’s dinnertime! And you lovebirds, can the secret talk wait until


    after we eat? Grandpa promised to take Sera and me to Cartoon City!”


    Damien raised an eyebrow. “Cartoon City?”


    Beckham grinned. “Yep. I promised the little ones after the wedding. Gotta keep those promises, you


    know?”


    Damien chuckled and turned to Soren and Serafina. “Do you mind if Mommy and I join you on your


    Cartoon City adventure?”


    Serafina jumped up, pping her hands in delight. “Of course! Sera says yes!”


    Soren pouted and dramatically turned his head away. “Fine, if she says so, I guess I’ll allow it…


    reluctantly.”


    After lunch, Beckham began preparing everyone for their Cartoon City adventure. However, Cherise


    felt a pang of self–consciousness in her whimsical dress and pigtails.


    “Honey, you look beautiful just the way you are,” Beckham assured her.


    Damien echoed the sentiment. “Don’t change, my dear. It’s nice to feel young sometimes.


    Soren mumbled, “Changing clothes is a hassle. Stop fussing, Ms. Shaw!”


    Serafina put on her best puppy–dog eyes, pretending to cry. “Waaah… Mommy, you look perfect like


    Sera! Please don’t change!”


    A chorus of “no“s bombarded Cherise, leaving her speechless. Facing the determined group, she knew


    that resistance was futile. Sighing, she tucked her pigtails behind her ears, smoothed her princess


    dress, and got into the car.


    Cartoon City was nearby, and the family of five arrived soon enough. When they entered the park,


    Cherise held Serafina’s hand, Damien took hold of Soren, and Beckham followed behind, grinning at


    the lively scene.