The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes
Chapter 74- Candy

Chapter 74: Chapter 74- Candy

Shaun chuckled at the look of tension and confusion on Charles’ face.

"Of course we know each other. More than that—we’re quite familiar, aren’t we, Janet?"

He shot Janet a cheeky wink.

Janet, wide-eyed and innocent, stared helplessly at the man’s wicked grin.

She could feel a chill sweep over her—Charles’ eyes, sharp as a winter wind, were locked on her.

His large hand at her waist tightened instinctively, the pressure making her furrow her delicate brows.

He’s jealous, she realized.

Shaun, catching on instantly, grinned like he’d just struck gold.

"Charles, come on! Hiding such a gorgeous secretary all to yourself? That’s not fair. You should’ve introduced her sooner!"

"Shaun, do you have a death wish?"

Charles’ voice dropped to a growl just as a sharp, high-pitched female voice cut through the air—

"You want to share who exactly, huh? You shameless flirt!"

Janet had just opened her mouth to explain, but the scene before her unfolded faster than she could react.

A woman in a pink dress stormed up behind Shaun, yanked his ear without mercy, and completely ignored the stunned onlookers around them.

Angela.

Of course.

Janet remembered her from the tabloids and that night’s brief encounter—elegant, stunning, and absolutely ruthless when it came to her man.

Shaun winced. "Babe! Babe, gentle, please! It hurts!"

Angela didn’t even blink. "Good. Maybe that’ll teach you not to mess with sweet girls like Janet!"

Charles was silent, but his face had turned darker than a thundercloud.

Janet dared a quick glance and winced inwardly.

Angela noticed too, and gave Shaun a look.

He immediately got the message and stepped toward Charles, patting his shoulder in an attempt to calm the storm.

Angela, unfazed by the drama, hooked her arm through Janet’s.

"Come, Janet. Let’s leave the stinky boys behind. I’ll take you to meet Sweetie."

Janet blinked. "Sweetie?"

Angela just smiled mysteriously and led her upstairs.

They entered a softly lit nursery, and Janet’s breath caught.

The room was like something out of a dream—a pink princess bed, plush carpets, pastel furniture, and an air of peace so pure it made Janet momentarily forget everything outside.

Lying on the wide crib bed was a beautiful baby girl, sleeping quietly.

Janet had met Shaun and Angela’s son, little Callum, but she had no idea they also had such an adorable daughter.

Her heart softened.

This... was the warmth she had longed for.

And maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t out of reach anymore.

Today was Candy’s first birthday, and theShaun had thrown a lavish celebration in her honor—just one glance at the setup was enough to see how deeply Shaun adored his daughter.

"She’s so adorable," Janet whispered, extending a finger to gently touch the baby’s soft cheek.

Sweetie—little Candy—was still sound asleep, her tiny hands waving now and then as if chasing dreams.

Her button nose wrinkled slightly, as if disturbed by something.

Angela reached over and gently patted her daughter’s belly twice.

Almost immediately, the baby’s little mouth twitched, then stilled.

Peaceful again.

"She’s my little sweetheart, my everything," Angela said softly, her eyes shining with maternal warmth.

Her expression was glowing, her delicate, fair face radiant with the gentle pride of a young mother.

There was still something sweetly girlish about her, like a young woman just out of school—yet she held the quiet grace of someone who had experienced more than her years.

Janet couldn’t help but feel a pang of awe.

She had assumed Angela was older, more experienced.

But to learn she was just twenty-one—and already the mother of two?

Janet’s gaze lingered on Angela, admiration mixed with a faint envy she couldn’t explain.

There was something about this woman. Something fearless, something complete.

She looked like she belonged in this fairytale life.

Janet had thought Angela looked young the first moment she saw her—

but to hear that she was just twenty-one and already a mother of two left her quietly stunned.

"Candy... what a lovely name." Janet’s voice was soft, tinged with admiration.

Her gaze lingered on the tiny sleeping figure curled in the corner of the princess bed,

so small, so delicate—her features already bearing a striking resemblance to Angela.

If she opened her eyes now...

Janet could imagine those bright, soul-catching eyes—

just like her mother’s—

wide and innocent, yet with the power to captivate.

"Janet, Charles must love you very much," Angela said warmly, turning to her with a meaningful smile.

"You two should work hard. My Callum’s waiting."

Janet blinked, caught off guard.

"Uh... what?" she asked, a little flustered.

Angela chuckled at her reaction and went on to explain the pact between Shaun and Charles—

a lighthearted agreement made three years ago when Callum was born.

They had joked about letting Charles have a daughter so she could grow up and marry Callum someday.

Hearing that, Janet’s face turned a faint pink.

She looked away, her heart twisting with something unspoken.

After seeing the adorable Candy,

she couldn’t help but feel an ache deep inside.

If her child had survived...

Wouldn’t their dream already have come true?

"Angela!"

The sudden call from the doorway pulled Janet from her thoughts.

A graceful, elegant woman stepped into the room—

a gentle smile on her lips as she walked over.

She had a delicate oval face and long, straight hair cascading down her back,

her whole aura soft and refined, like a spring breeze.

"Samantha-jie, you’re here!" Angela beamed and quickly stood to greet her, affectionately holding her hand.

Pulling her toward Janet, she introduced them with an easy familiarity.

"Janet, this is Samantha. Just call her ’jie’ like I do."

Then, with a teasing glint in her eye, Angela added,

"Janet is Charles’s darling."

Samantha caught the look instantly.

She gave Janet a bright, knowing smile,

her warmth radiating so effortlessly that Janet felt an odd flutter in her chest.

Something about her smile—it was so sincere, so welcoming—

and it wrapped around Janet like sunshine.

Samantha was the wife of Brian, the CEO of SK Group.

Janet had heard of Brian before—especially in relation to Black Rock Co.

The Golden Bay development project she’d once kept an eye on had ultimately been secured by SK Group.

What Janet didn’t know was that Charles had intentionally leaked the bid pricing to his trusted friend,

all to keep the profits within their circle—because Manfred had his sights set on that plot of land too.

"Candy’s still asleep?" Samantha asked gently, her eyes falling on the little sleeping beauty.

Her gaze shimmered with a tender affection that made her look even more graceful.

"She is," Angela sighed as she sat by the bed, a touch of frustration in her voice.

"This little rascal stayed up all night fussing. Now she won’t wake up, no matter what!"

Samantha and her son Riku adored Candy—

but every time Callum was around, the little guy got overly possessive,

refusing to let Riku near his baby sister.

To avoid another round of toddler warfare,

Samantha had decided not to bring Riku along tonight.

"Next time I’ll introduce you to Samantha-jie’s daughter," Angela said cheerfully,

"She’s so sweet and well-behaved—totally different from our little troublemaker here."

In fact, it was after seeing Samantha’s daughter Nian Nian that Angela began pestering Shaun for a daughter of their own—

and that’s how Candy came to be.

"Sure, I’d love that." Janet smiled, her gaze returning to the small, peaceful figure on the bed.

Three beautiful women gathered around a sleeping baby girl,

bathed in warm lamplight and soft conversation—

the entire room seemed to glow with color and quiet joy.

When Janet went back downstairs, Angela stayed behind to help dress Candy.

Tonight, the little princess was the star of the show—

she had to make an appearance, even if she didn’t want to.

As night slowly settled in, Angela finally roused the reluctant little one from sleep.

The moment she woke, Candy made her displeasure known—

kicking up a storm of tears and protests before she could be soothed back into her usual adorable self.