Every Dream I Buried Still Whispers Beneath the Winter Rain by Liora Ashen Vale 11

## Chapter 11; All Because She Was a Simpson

“Mmhmm.” She nodded, fighting the urge to bury herself under the covers, meeting Camren’s gaze.

Camren watched her for a long time. She felt his eyes like two powerful spotlights, heating her face red, making her heart pound as if it would burst from her chest.

Camren moved. He leaned down, lightly kissed her left ear, then rolled over, pulling her under the covers, tucking her in, and releasing her. He switched off the main light. “Go to sleep.”

Britney was a little surprised, both that Camren hadn’t touched her and by the kiss on her left ear.

She secretly touched her left ear. After that accident, her left ear had become a flaw, a target for mockery

from others.

Even Ryan would unconsciously avoid looking at her left ear when he looked at her. Check latest chapters at Find~Novel.net

But Camren had exclusively kissed her left ear, so lightly, as if it were something precious. That tingling. sensation still lingered on her earlobe.

A warm feeling spread easily to her heart.

“I’m going on a business trip tomorrow. I’ll be back in a few days, but I’ll make sure to be back in time to try on your wedding dress with you.”

Britney snapped back to reality, pulling her hands under the covers and curling into a ball. “You go handle your business. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“It’s not fine.”

“Hm?”

Camren didn’t explain further. His breathing slowly became steady–he was asleep. But Britney kept her eyes wide open, feeling the warmth of the person beside her. It wasn’t as awkward as she’d imagined; on the contrary, she felt a strange sense of comfort.

Britney blinked, sleepiness slowly washing over her.

Throughout Camren’s business trip, Britney received messages from him every day. At first, they were reminders to take her medicine. Later, he’d inform her that he’d sent more things home for her to choose

from.

Albert told her that Camren’s trip involved five or six countries with time differences of over ten hours, yet his messages always arrived during her local morning time, precisely when she woke up, without fail.

Britney thought Camren was truly remarkable. Even with an arranged marriage, he still handled every last detail so perfectly. She’d initially agreed to marry him on a whim, but now, it felt like she’d made the right call.

After a few days of resting at home, Britney headed to Cauldron Group to resign. She’d joined the company to follow Ryan’s footsteps, but now that they were completely over, there was no reason to stay

She’d already prepared her resignation letter, so once she got to the office, she handed it to HR and went back to her desk to pack up her stuff.

“Britney, are you really quitting?” a coworker asked cautiously. “Are you getting hitched and becoming at high–society housewife?”

“Oh my god, I’m so jealous! Are you seriously never gonna have to do anything again, just eat, drink, read magazines, and pick out jewelry all day?”

Britney paused, her movements stiff. A few days ago, she would’ve denied it, but now, the words just wouldn’t come out. She was living at Veylin Manor, and Albert took care of everything ahead of time. She genuinely didn’t have to do a thing. As for magazines and jewelry… thinking about the valuable items Camren had sent over, Britney couldn’t help but smile. They’d totally nailed it.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, you lucky duck,” her coworker said, beaming with understanding. “Mr. Lewis sure is good to

you.

“I’m not…” Britney started to explain, but her coworker got called away by their boss, leaving Britney to shake her head helplessly.

Just then, Britney’s phone rang. It was the Simpson family’s butler. He was in his seventies, personally chosen by old Mrs. Simpson when she married into the family. He’d never married or had children and was now living out his retirement with the Simpsons. To them, he was practically family.

Britney hesitated for a moment before picking up. “Miss, you need to come home quick! Your mother suddenly fainted.”

Britney’s heart seized up. She completely forgot about her things, immediately hailed a cab, and rushed back to the Simpson residence. Sitting in the car, her hands were tightly clasped, twisting nervously. Allison has some heart problems. She was always super careful about her diet and went for regular check–ups. The doctors had warned her that heart conditions were dangerous, and any sudden incident could lead to serious consequences, even be life–threatening.

Britney felt like her heart was being squeezed. Allison hadn’t exactly been a great mom, but she was still her mother–the person Britney had longed for throughout her fifteen years of wandering. No matter what, she wanted her to be okay.

When she arrived at the Simpson villa, a worried Britney got out of the car. If the driver hadn’t called out to her, she would’ve forgotten to pay the fare. But when she opened the front door and saw the entire Simpson family sitting peacefully on the living room sofa, she froze, speechless for a long moment.

Chapter

Skylar was obediently sitting at the end, pouring tea for Allison and Jackson “Dad, Mom, this tea is the first flush of the year. It might not be as fancy as your prized collection, Dad, but it’s fresh and sweet. Want to try

some?”

“Alright, Skylar, you’re always so thoughtful” Allison took the teacup, her gaze sweeping over Britney clear disapproval and implied meaning

with

Jackson sat there, radiating the authority of the family patriarch. He slightly raised his eyes and looked at Britney, who was still frozen at the doorway. “Come sit down.”

Britney looked at the seemingly harmonious family of three, and for some reason, it stung. All the worry she’d felt on the way over turned into bitter sarcasm, not for the three people in front of her, but for herself. She’d been so deluded again, and she’d forgotten. For all the years she’d been back with the Simpsons, every time Allison’s heart acted up, she specifically asked for Skylar to be by her side. And Britney, her biological daugh ter, could only stand outside the door, quietly watching the hands she’d yearned for so long, tightly holding Skylar’s. How could she have forgotten? If Allison had truly fainted, why would the butler notify her first?

Her throat felt tight. “No thanks, I have to go.”

“Clang!” Jackson slammed his teacup down, the sharp sound clearly conveying his anger.

“Britney.” Skylar, ever so ‘considerate,‘ quickly stepped forward and grabbed Britney’s arm. “You haven’t been home for days, and Mom and Dad were so worried about you. But you wouldn’t answer your phone or texts, so I had no choice but to beg our butler to call you.”

“You’re not mad, are you?” Skylar blinked her timid, wide eyes, filled with caution and a desire to please.

Britney scoffed and pulled her arm away. “I am mad. What are you gonna do about it?”

“…Skylar seemed thrown by Britney’s answer, biting her lower lip, unsure what to do.

“Don’t mind her.” Allison got up, pulled Skylar to her side with a pained look, and patted her hand reassur ingly. “She’s always like this, acting like the whole world owes her something. But she doesn’t realize that the reason she eats well, dresses nicely, and has Mr. Lewis doting on her is all because she’s a Simpson.”

Britney’s gaze lingered on Allison’s hand for a moment. Her hand clenched, feeling the chill at her fingertips, just like the coldness in her heart. She certainly didn’t lack food or clothes, but she always ate what Skylar liked and wore what Skylar didn’t want.

Britney remembered clearly: once, when her school was holding a banquet, she had just returned to the Simpson family and didn’t have any suitable clothes. She hesitated for a long time before telling Allison, who then picked out an old–fashioned dress from the closet with an impatient look. The oversized gown looked ridiculous on Britney’s slender frame, like a child playing dress–up. She had to use clips at her shoulders and lower back to keep the dress from falling off.

That same day, Skylar wore a custom–made gown, stunning everyone and parading like a proud princess, showing off the handmade embroidery and natural jewels on her dress. That was when Britney knew that in

Allison’s eyes, she and Skylar were simply not the same.

Britney suddenly wanted to go back to Veylin Manor. She turned to leave…

“Stop right there!” Jackson barked in a low voice. “Where do you think you’re going now?”

“Running away from home over some petty thing–who taught you such manners?” Jackson stood up, his voice dripping with annoyance as he commanded,

om today on, you’re staying home until you marry Mr.

Lewis

Britney’s brows furrowed tightly. “I told you, my engagement with Ryan is canceled, I…”

“Shut up.” Jackson cut her off.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.