Aurelia clapped her hands together and beamed a gentle smile, "Thanks a bunch, Ace Photographer." Arnold let out a long sigh. Despite his best efforts to keep his distance from Lisa, he could never say no to Aurelia.

Lisa felt a bitter tang in her heart. If only Arnold could spare her a tenth of the tenderness he showed Aurelia, she'd wake up giggling from her dreams.

Reading her thoughts, Aurelia rose to her feet and said, "Lisa, why don't you chat with Arnold about the ad campaign? I'll go check on the kids outside." She stepped into the yard, intending to give them sspace, but Arnold also stood up, "I'll take your advice and get to know Nova better, so she stops treatinglike a stranger." Aurelia felt a bead of sweat form and could only move beside Lisa, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "Let's let Arnold tend to Nova. How about we take a stroll in the garden?" Lisa nodded, aware that Arnold was deliberately keeping his distance. As long as his heart wasn't clear of Aurelia, he wouldn't turn his gaze her way.

In the garden, Lisa muttered, "Aurelia, I know you're trying to create a moment for Arnold and me, but his heart is all yours. He's avoiding me, not seeking my company." Aurelia patted her shoulder, comforting, "Leopold and I have remarried, and we're not parting again. In time, Arnold will let go. He's still young. He'll move on and start new relationships. He can't stay alone forever." Lisa sighed, "Even so, I won't be the one he chooses." "I beg to differ," Aurelia consoled her, "If he truly gets over me, he'll stop fussing over the past. For Nova's sake, he might just give you a chance to really connect." Lisa lacked the confidence, "Why?" Aurelia smiled, "Because you both share Nova. Arnold's actually a softie. Once she's old enough to charm Arnold, he'll consider her feelings more." Lisa sighed, "The kid seems to push Arnold away, never lets him hold her." "That's just unfamiliarity. Babies often cling to women and children, wary of men. As Nova grows and recognizes him as Arnold, she'll naturally warm up to him." Her words offered Lisa a glimmer of hope, "I hope you're right." "Perseverance can soften the hardest hearts. If you truly love him and want a life with him, don't give up. If you lack faith in yourself, how will you sway his heart?" Aurelia sincerely wanted to play matchmaker, to mend their broken bond.

Lisa felt a spark of optimism. She cherished times with Aurelia. Whenever she felt down, Aurelia would lift her spirits, helping her see the light and hope anew.

"l understand." "Let's go check on the kids," Aurelia suggested, linking arms with Lisa as they headed back to the yard.

Arnold was amusing Nova with a toy airplane, causing her eyes to widen in wonder, babbling as if in conversation.

Suddenly, a leaf drifted down from a tree branch, landing atop Arnold's head. Instinctively, Lisa stepped forward to remove it.

Nova caught sight of the two and burst into giggles, flailing her arms and legs in apparent joy.

Aurelia seized the moment, "Nova must be happy seeing her mom and dad together. What child doesn't long for a complete family, to live with both parents?" Out of nowhere, William chimed in with a cheeky remark. "Mom, don't forget, there's a kid from a single-parent family right here."

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