My Love for You Broke Me

Chapter 690 Gentle Actions
When Alicia's tone suddenly turned cold, I could tell that I had touched a nerve. I looked at Shawn helplessly, seeking his
assistance. He reached out and grabbed my arm, saying, "Let's discuss this in a calm manner."
Alicia softened her tone and apologized, "I'm sorry."
After exchanging a few words with Shawn, Alicia left. Once she was gone, I asked Shawn, "What did I do wrong just now?"
"Mother doesn't really like celebrities, especially those involved in modern pop culture. She plans to invite some famous
traditional opera performers."
I pouted and said, "That doesn't conflict with my idea. She can invite whoever she wants, and I can invite whoever I want. Didn't
you see her expression just now? It's like I did something wrong—"
I quickly stopped myself and asked, "Am I being too sensitive?"
Shawn reassured me, "She was just speaking her mind. She didn't mean to target you, so don't take it personally."
"But I am being quite petty. I'll keep this in mind."
Shawn comforted me, "You don't have to be so cautious."
That was my mother-in-law, after all. So I had to be more polite to her.
I nestled in his arms and asked, "What's your schedule for this afternoon?"
"I'll be practicing calligraphy and brush painting. Would you like to learn it?"
I was terrible at calligraphy.
"I can try painting."
Then, I praised him admirably, "You're good at everything."
"It's just a habit I developed since I was young."

Once he was done, he got up and went upstairs first. I took the cake into the kitchen and put it on a plate. Then, I poured two
cups of coffee before going upstairs to the study.
Shawn had already prepared some cartridge paper, and he called me over to hold the pen and imitate a landscape painting on
the wall. While doing so, he explained how to hold the pen, outline the painting, and add color. Then, he instructed me to start by
drawing rocks, tree branches, mountains, and then rivers and figures. Perhaps I had some talent in this area, as the final result
looked quite decent.
I complimented myself, saying, "It's really beautiful."
But Shawn commented, "It's a mess, but not bad for a beginner. Practice makes perfect. Try copying another painting on the
wall."
While nodding, I grabbed a new cartridge paper and continued copying the painting on the wall. As I painted, I casually said, "In
the past, I've only ever learned modern culture, like playing the piano, dancing, and flower arranging."
Shawn was interested and asked, "Do you know how to dance?"
"Well... Does attending dance classes count?"
I attended dance and piano classes since I was young but only ended up excelling in piano. My teacher once praised my talent
for dancing, and I worked hard at it. Merlin used to bring me to the bar to perform on stage, and I could always find the beat
accurately.
I explained, "I can do things like bending down and doing splits, as well as other flexible movements. I still remember quite a few
dance moves."
Shawn picked up on the key point and asked, "Flexible movements?"
Still painting, I asked, "What's the matter? Is there something special about that?"
"Why are you so stiff when we make love?"
I replied nothing.
His tone was filled with genuine confusion.
So I glared at him and ignored him.

While Shawn continued practicing calligraphy at another desk, I continued painting. After two hours, I lost interest in painting,
and when he wanted to teach me how to write calligraphy, I resolutely refused, "I can't learn it no matter how."
In the end, Shawn continued practicing his calligraphy while I went over to sit next to him, resting my chin on the desk as I asked,
"Can we arrange a dance party for the children's first birthday? Troy said he would attend the party, and he's the hottest and
most talented celebrity right now. It would definitely be a hit if he participated, and he's so handsome. It would make the birthday
party even more special!"
With furrowed eyebrows, Shawn asked, "Just because he's handsome?"
Um... Do I smell jealousy?
"What I mean is that the guests would like him because he's handsome."
Shawn relaxed and assured me, "You don't have to worry about that. I will let Waylen invite them, and I will also invite some
famous traditional opera performers."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
I took out my phone and sent a message in the group chat, 'We're inviting celebrities to the birthday party. Thank you in advance
for your hard work, Troy!'
Troy replied, 'Sure. Don't worry about a thing, Renee.'
Then, Emma suddenly created a new group chat.
She added me, Amy, and May to the group.
She sent a message, 'Sisters, let's surprise everyone!'
May asked, 'What kind of surprise?'
'Let us four perform together! Since it's going to be a lively event, it would be even more exciting if we performed ourselves,
right?'
I didn't expect Emma would suggest that we have our own performance.
Amy quickly replied, 'I'm still in the middle of filming.'

But Emma blocked her escape route. 'You can practice on set. Troy is a professional in this field, so you can ask him for
guidance.'
Then, May asked, 'What kind of performance would it be?'
Emma sent a voice message, "Singing is too ordinary, so let's dance. But not just any ordinary dance. It should be a passionate
and energetic dance that can liven up the atmosphere. Eve, asking Troy to introduce a dance teacher who can help us come up
with a choreography. It would be best if you can do that by tomorrow, or else we won't have time to practice. I'll be back in
Bryxton tomorrow."
Emma always had new ideas.
She was such a versatile girl.
However, the most memorable thing about her was when she pretended to be innocent.
I expressed my opinion. 'I'm fine with it.'
'We can't just be supporting roles because it's Renee's children's birthday party. All four of us should be the main characters!'
Amy said firmly.
Emma replied, 'Of course we will. After all, there would be men watching us from below, so we have to give them a stunning
performance.'
I sent a bouquet of flowers emoji and replied, 'I have no problem with that. But I won't compete with you young girls for these
things. I can dance less.'
But May disagreed, 'That won't do! Let Troy arrange for that. After all, we have a ready-made choreographer, so we don't need to
start from scratch.'
Amy replied, 'Okay, I'll talk to him later.'
Once the conversation ended, the group chat fell silent. When Shawn saw that I was playing with my phone, he no longer forced
me to paint. Soon, he instructed, "Come with me somewhere."
I looked up and asked him, "Where are we going?"

"To check up on Rudy."
I got up and put away my phone, saying, "His injuries are quite serious, and he only has two doctors looking after him. To think of
it, he doesn't have many family members."
Shawn spoke frankly. "He brought it upon himself."
It was his actions that caused May to leave him.
"Alright, I'll accompany you to see him."
Suddenly recalling something, I asked, "Are the children coming home with Kevin?"
The man put down his pen and replied, "Yes. They will be reaching Bryxton tomorrow."
"Is everything settled at Espoo?"
"There won't be too much pressure for now."
I linked my arm with him as we walked out. Shawn asked my bodyguards to stay at the villa as he would be personally driving
me to the city center.
We went to a flower shop, where I picked out a bouquet of roses.
It wasn't specifically for Rudy.
It was to decorate the villa.
An hour later, we arrived at the seaside villa. Shawn parked the car on the beach, and I held the bouquet of flowers, linking arms
with him as we entered the villa. The bloodstains by the pool were still there, and Shawn frowned after seeing them. "May still
needs to mediate the conflict between Rudy and Alfred. She can't keep escaping it."
"May probably doesn't want to face Rudy right now."
Just as Shawn was about to enter the villa, he suddenly stopped and looked at the umbrella at the entrance. He remarked, "We
have an unexpected guest."
I curiously asked, "Who is it?"