Chapter 1092



“It’s just a kiss. We’re together now. It’s not like we’re doing anything scandalous. They can see us. It’s fine.”

Despite the logic of Jake’s words, a flush of embarrassment crept up Kallie’s neck, staining her cheeks a delicate pink. A distinct click from nearby sliced through the air, pulling their attention away from each other.

They turned to find Sophie, camera in hand, a wide, mischievous grin plastered across her face.

Noticing their combined gaze, Sophie offered an explanation.

“You two looked so sweet standing there that I just had to capture the moment. It was too good to pass up.”

Sophie cleared her throat, a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she ducked her head slightly.

“You’re not gonna be upset with me, right?”

Kallie’s lips curved into a warm smile, and she extended a hand toward Sophie.

“Come here, sweetheart.”

Sophie, beaming with pride, practically skipped over to Kallie, thrusting the camera forward to display her photographic masterpiece.

Although dusk had settled, the photo defied the fading light. The figures within the frame were strikingly clear, beautifully rendered despite the dimming light.

Kallie’s eyes widened slightly as she examined the picture.

“Wow, Sophie, you’ve got a real eye. This is a great shot.”

Sophie’s face lit up like a Christmas tree at Kallie’s praise, pure, unadulterated delight radiating from her.

Visit gal𝓃𝑜v𝓮ls.com for updates Jake, who had been observing the interaction, suddenly piped up with an idea.

“Hey, why don’t we take a family photo? What do you say?”

Sophie’s head bobbed up and down with enthusiastic agreement, while Elma erupted into a flurry of excited claps, her small hands colliding with a cheerful pat-pat-pat.

“Great!” Elma squealed, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Kallie observed their infectious enthusiasm with a slightly bewildered expression.

Sophie leaned in close, her voice a hushed whisper.

“Mom, we’ve never actually had a family photo before.”

Kallie’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Not even one? Seriously?” Sophie simply nodded. When she was young, her parents had been a picture of love, but it was a fleeting image. Then, Kallie had vanished from their lives, leaving a gaping hole. By the time they found Kallie again, Jake had disappeared. It took a long time for both of them to return, but even then, the deep wounds of the past prevented any chance of reconciliation.

With such a history of heartbreak and separation, the idea of a simple family photo had been an impossibility. There had been talks, fleeting plans to capture a moment of happiness, but fate, as it often did, had intervened, and those plans had crumbled into dust.

Jake’s simple suggestion, therefore, held immense weight for Sophie, filling her with happiness that bordered on euphoria.

A wave of sadness washed over Kallie, a quiet, introspective moment where she questioned the very fabric of her relationship with Jake. Had it always been fraught with tension? Elma, her energy boundless, darted off to fetch Calvin.

Though a clear reluctance lingered in his posture, Calvin eventually made his way over, his resistance melting away as he met the hopeful gazes of his sisters. Their happiness was palpable, and he decided it wasn’t worth disrupting with his own reservations.

The makeshift family group coalesced, with Sophie taking charge, her enthusiasm bubbling over as she orchestrated everyone’s positions like a seasoned director.

Calvin found himself positioned in front of Jake, who instinctively placed a hand on his shoulder for the photo. A subtle shift occurred in Calvin’s expression, a flicker of an unreadable emotion dancing in his eyes. He felt a twinge of awkwardness at the unexpected contact but refrained from shaking off Jake’s hand.

Jake didn’t notice Calvin’s change. His gaze was fixed on Kallie, who was smiling brightly. Her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars, outshining the entire galaxy.

At that moment, sensing Jake’s gaze, Kallie turned her head. She was momentarily surprised, a flicker of hesitation crossing her features before melting into an even more radiant smile.

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