Ice and Fire

Chapter 23 Crack Outside The Door

Lucia spoke,"Grandpa, we're here today so that you can meet John's fiancee. If you think it's okay,

Edwin and I plan to hold a wedding party for them."

"Oh, I see," said Andrew, as he looked at Jean standing next to John.

Jean was delighted when she saw Andrew's eyes turn to her. "Great-grandpa, how do you do? I'm

Jean Shen and you can call me Jean," said Jean.

"Jean," said Andrew as he carefully observed her.

Jean continued,"Well, great-grandpa, if I'm married to John, the relationship between our two families

will become closer, since I'm Cherry's elder sister and my father is Harrison Shen, the CEO of the

Sheng Group."

"Oh, really?" It was obvious that Andrew was a bit surprised. He looked at Cherry and asked,"Cherry, is

she your elder sister?"

"Yes Grandpa, she is."

"Ha, ha! The close relationship between the Shen family and our family seems to be really

predestined."

"Then Grandpa, do you agree with their marriage?" asked Lucia.

Everyone in the living room looked at Andrew. If he nodded, this matter was a done deal. Even if John

wanted to resist, it would not make any difference.

Jean anxiously looked at Andrew, since his decision would decide her future life.

Andrew did not answer. Instead, he turned to Jackson and asked with a smile on his face,"Jackson,

what's your opinion? If you think it's okay, then it is okay."

Nobody could believe that Andrew had asked Jackson to make the final decision.

Jean immediately became nervous. The one who could decide her destiny was now Jackson instead of

Andrew. She had some inkling of Jackson's way of doing things and she was no longer sure if she

would end up marrying into the Ye family or not.

Jackson looked poised. He calmly asked Cherry, who was in his arms,"Darling, what's your view?"

Everyone was shocked again. John, who had been patient all this while, couldn't help but walk up to

Cherry. He said,"Cherry...". He couldn't speak further and could only shake his head to indicate that he

did not want this marriage.

Seeing John's anguished expression, Cherry knew at once that he did not want to marry Jean. His

eyes were full of anxiety. It seemed that if he was forced to marry Jean, he would die at once.

Jean walked up to them and stood between Cherry and John when she saw what was going on. She

wore a forced smile and said to Cherry,"Cherry, you will not destroy my happiness, will you?"

As she spoke, she suddenly grabbed Cherry's hand.

Cherry shivered because of Jean's sudden movement. She looked at Jean and did not say anything.

Jackson had felt Cherry's shiver. He immediately said to Jean,"Let go!"

The hatred in Jackson's eyes scared Jean. She had to let Cherry go.

The atmosphere in the room became awkward. Jean didn't know what to do then. 'Cherry must have

hated me. She loved John so much. How could she let John marry me?' thought Jean.

After a while, Cherry turned to Andrew and politely said,"Grandpa, my sister is now the vice president

of the Shen Group. She has good capacity for working and her appearance is also good enough to

match John. What's more, John and my sister…" Cherry paused for a moment and continued,"They

have been together for a long time. Do you think anything can separate them?"

Cherry's remark had given Andrew her answer. Jackson was surprised by the woman in his arms. She

had really expressed herself well. Her words made the result a foregone conclusion.

"All right, all right," said Andrew with a grin on his face. "It is settled then. Lucia and Edwin, choose a

good day to hold the wedding party for John."

"Yes, Grandpa." said Lucia, joyfully.

"But…" John wanted to say something. He was stopped by Jean.

Jackson leaned on Cherry's shoulder and lovingly said,"I didn't expect that you would help them get

together."

Cherry turned her head slightly and said,"I want to let them go and let myself go too."

Two weeks later, the wedding was held as planned. Jean spent the happiest day in her life, wearing her

wedding dress. And Jade felt dizzy with success. Nothing else could make her happier since his

daughter could marry the deputy governor.

Cherry, who was standing discreetly in a corner, watched the bride and groom not far away, happily

walk up to the wedding stage hand in hand. She couldn't help but burst into tears.

Once, he had been the one she loved most. She could never forget how kind he had been to her. Jean

was her elder sister, who had bullied her since she was a child, but she had never cared about it until

she had robbed her most beloved man. All her anger burst out then. And even if he had regretted it,

she could have never forgiven him. She couldn't bear the betrayal. But now, let bygones be bygones.

Anyway, on this painful day, she was here to see their wedding and the dazzling moment in person.

The light of their happiness shone bright in her eyes.

Not far away, Cherry's every movement was being watched by Jackson. Her slightly shivering

shoulders made Jackson's heart ache. She still couldn't get that man out of her heart.

The days went by. Cherry had stopped working at the Shen Group. She became a full-time housewife

who was responsible for taking good care of her husband. When she was free, she would go to the bar

to meet Emily. They would have a few drinks and go shopping together. Life was leisurely and relaxed.

If there was nothing special going on at the barracks, Jackson would go back home at night. His

beloved woman was at home, and he couldn't bear not seeing the woman for an entire day.

In the morning, when Cherry woke up, she found that Jackson was still asleep next to her.

Looking at the clock on the wall, Cherry hurriedly woke up Jackson,"Wake up! Wake up! Aren't you

going to the barracks today?"

"Hush, I'll sleep a little longer," murmured Jackson.

Hearing this, Cherry realized that he did not have to go to the barracks today. Otherwise, how could

this self-disciplined leader lie in bed for so long?

Cherry slowly got up and planned a fancy breakfast for him.

When Jackson woke up and saw he was alone in the bed, he got angry. He wondered where the hell

had Cherry gone.

As he walked out of the bedroom, the smell of breakfast wafted to his nostrils. He was happy at once.

His woman was really good at cooking.

Jackson went downstairs and into the kitchen, where he saw Cherry cooking porridge. He went over

and hugged her.

Smelling Jackson's unique masculine scent, Cherry did not turn back. She asked,"Are you awake?"

"Yes. Why did you get up so early?" murmured Jackson into her ear.

"I have slept enough. Go brush your teeth and wash your face. We'll have breakfast in a few minutes."

said Cherry. She sounded just like an ordinary housewife.

Jackson kissed her on her cheek and said,"Yes, madam!"

After that, he let her go, turned and left.

Cherry shook her head and smiled happily.

Although there was no deep love between them, there was so much happiness. She enjoyed it very

much.

In the afternoon, Cherry was watching TV while sitting on the sofa. Jackson was reading a military book

in the study.

The doorbell rang. Cherry opened the door and saw that it was Derek.

"Afternoon, Cherry," Derek hurriedly greeted her and then anxiously asked,"Is Jackson at home?"

"Yes." Seeing that Derek was in a rush, Cherry asked him,"Is there anything urgent?"

Derek took a look at her and awkwardly nodded.

"Come on in. He is in the study," said Cherry.

"Okay." Derek went straight to the study.

Cherry closed the door and wanted to go back watching TV, but she thought it might be impolite. So

she decided to make some tea for Derek, instead.

Cherry made two cups of tea and walked to the study.

Arriving at the door of the study, before she could knock on it, she heard them talking in a stiff manner.

She was curious and wanted to hear what they were talking about.

"Jackson, what should we do now?" asked Derek. His tone was a bit anxious.

"Where is she now?" Jackson's voice sounded a bit nervous.

"At a friend's house," said Derek. Then he anxiously added,"She doesn't know that you are now

married. If she did, she might…"

Derek didn't finish his sentence, but Jackson knew exactly what he wanted to say.

Jackson did not say a word. He sat there quietly.

"Jackson, say something. Sally He is your favorite woman and you grew up together. Are you sure you

won't go meet her now that she is back? Haven't you been looking for her all these years?" It sounded

as if Derek was blaming Jackson.

Outside the door, Cherry was stunned. Sally He? Jackson's favorite woman? He had been looking for

her all these years?

Her mind was a mess now. If he already had the one he loved most, then why did he marry Cherry?

Cherry did not want to hear what they were talking about any more. She couldn't control her own

feelings. Why did she care so much? She did not feel deep love for Jackson. Then why did she care

about a woman named Sally He so much?

Cherry felt weak. The tray in her hands fell to the ground.

The sound of glass breaking surprised Jackson and Derek, who were in the study. They looked at each

and immediately realized what had happened. Cherry must be outside the door and must have heard

their exchange.