Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 124: Sleeping Under The Sun

Chapter 124: Sleeping Under The Sun

True to its name, Giardino Incantato charmed Leslie with its spectacular garden. As if artists meticulously crafted the grassland, the detailed arrangement of the vibrant blooming flowers and green shrubs painted a picturesque scene.

Hovering on the stone pathway in the front garden, Leslie threw her eyes to the two-story private villa. The earthy-tone building adorned rustic yet refined architecture, exuding timeless elegance in this city rich with history.

"It’s so surreal," whispered Leslie under her breath, joy flickering in her eyes, "I wonder how the outside is."

As the private villa was nestled in the heart of the city, the place was actually surrounded by neighborhoods and business districts. The only thing that separated the villa from the common areas was its sturdy walls guarding the residence.

Leslie recalled her conversation with Calix earlier.

"Can I wander outside?"

Leslie received a stink-eye from Calix instead of an answer. Without him saying anything, she could tell what was going on in his mind.

"Aiya, I’ll just wander around this villa. I won’t go beyond those walls."

The sleepy Calix let Leslie be as long as she returned before sunset. He said he didn’t want his ghostly wife to make acquaintances with the local age-old ghosts of this ancient city.

Hearing his response, Leslie returned the same dirty look to Calix before flying in the air to pass through the villa’s walls. She wanted to begin her new adventure as soon as possible.

"The backyard is bigger, I think," Leslie glided in the air as she flew above the flower beds, taking in the comforting fragrance exuding from each flower, "Let’s see what’s in the backyard."

At a quarter to four, the sun was still dazzlingly brightening the whole city. Leslie was happy to see a more majestic view of the garden in the backyard. She landed on a stone pathway.

"That’s the small forest, right?" Leslie remembered Calix’s words about the backyard having a small forest with a lake, "I better go and see it."

Instead of flying like before, Leslie simply walked on the stone pathway leading to where the small forest unfolded.

The trees of various heights created a secluded haven as streaks of sunlight filtered through the densely packed leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Among the soothing echoes of nature, Leslie caught the faint sound of water splashing.

"Wow~"

Leslie was stunned by the beauty of the lake surrounded by the forest. The clear surface glimmered with sunlight. A few birds dipped their beaks into the water before they flew to the sky, leaving ripples behind.

Leaving the edge of the woods, Leslie walked into the clearing. Her eyes landed on the wooden deck extended from the lake bank.

Two pergolas stood on both sides of the deck, complete with seating areas. Green vines climbed the pillars before settling on the top. Sunlight beamed through the lattice roof.

"So pretty~ I can stay here reading all day."

Leslie happily ran to the pergola on the right side. Sitting on the edge, she let her legs brush against the water’s surface. Its coolness seeped under her skin, leaving a refreshing sensation.

Leslie hadn’t explored the entirety of the villa but, she could tell her favorite place was here. It looked straight out of a fairy tale, charming her heart in an instant.

"If only CEO Xu’s lake had this kind of deck and pergolas too," Leslie chuckled at herself, amused by her own wishful thinking, "I might spend most of my time there."

With her legs still hanging above the water, Leslie lay on the deck. The bright sunlight made her squint her eyes. She simply covered them by draping her right arm over her face.

As her eyesight was blocked by her arm, Leslie slowly picked up more echoes of nature.

The rustling leaves of the towering trees, the chirping of the birds, the gentle lapping of the water – everything spelled serenity in her heart.

’Ever since I come here... I’ve been relaxing almost every day.’

Leslie couldn’t help but lament the hardship that often tailed after her in her previous life. Thankfully, not all brought bad memories to her.

After Axel’s untimely death, Leslie almost succumbed to the darkness of her life. Fortunately, the reminder of nursing a child in her womb gave her strength.

’Third’s time a charm, yes. I’ll meet Poppy soon. We’ll be reunited. Then, we will...’

Chanting the same words several times in her time, Leslie was gently lured to the dreamland. Her arm slowly drooped from her face, lying on her abdomen. Swaying shadows were cast on her face as she slept under the sunlight.

Back to the villa.

Calix only slept for an hour. The long flight and huge time difference exhausted him despite already experiencing the same things before.

"Haa... so sleepy," Calix dragged himself out of the bed. He repeatedly ran his fingers through his hair as he walked to the windows, "Where is she, ah? Still playing in the yard?"

Calix didn’t want to think of Leslie right after waking up from his nap but, the image of her side-eyeing him before leaving the villa earlier resurfaced in his mind. He couldn’t help but wonder where she was.

Through the windows of the second floor, Calix saw the small forest in the backyard. Recalling there was a lake beyond the woods, he had a hunch that Leslie might be there.

From the short time that Calix got to know Leslie, he noticed how she loved being close to nature especially a body of water. The lake at his private residence and the pond at his family’s ancestral home were her favorite places.

"Hurm... I should go and check."

After Calix washed his face, he went downstairs. Mrs. Rossi had gone home. She would return in the morning to prepare breakfast and maintain the villa’s cleanliness.

Humming to a tune, Calix leisurely walked on the stone pathway heading to the small forest. The sun hadn’t dipped below the horizon yet but, sunset had been closely approaching.

Calix walked through the small forest until he reached the clearing. Throwing his gaze around, he decided to go up the wooden deck.

"There she is."

A helpless smile was carved on Calix’s lips once he spotted Leslie. Chuckling, he was amused to find her sleeping on the deck with no care.

Calix slowly approached Leslie, unwilling to wake her up yet. Towering above her, another chuckle slipped his mouth as he realized the wrinkling of her brows and squinting of her eyes.

"The sun bothers you, huh?"

Calix took off the sandals before sitting cross-leg on the deck. With his back facing Leslie, his shadows were projected on her sleeping figure. He procured one strawberry candy before popping it into his mouth.

While sitting there, Calix let the tranquility of the small forest envelop him. He loved the serenity offered by the surroundings, allowing him to pause for a moment from the stress that followed his responsibilities.

’This one week in Rome, where should I bring her?’

Calix hadn’t been on a proper vacation for years. Even now he just squeezed out some time out of his week-long business trip.

While Calix was immersed in his pool of thoughts, he didn’t notice that Leslie was slowly stirred awake from her nap.

The very thing she first saw was his back, shielding her from the blazing sun.