Esther smirked slyly. "Xander, there's no need to be so dull and rigid all the time. She's your wife and not some other woman. So what's wrong with helping her change into pajamas?""Even though she's my wife, I can't do things that she hasn't consented to when she's unconscious," Xander explained before turning around to shut the windows. "I'll go make some hangover soup first. You help her change her clothes and stay by her side. You're not allowed to leave her side."Esther asked, "You know how to make hangover soup? Why am I only hearing this for the first time?"Xander did not want to say a single word to the girl with many questions, so he walked away.He went downstairs and got to the kitchen. Thankfully, they had bought a lot of groceries from the supermarket that night, so the ingredients for the hangover soup were complete.He swiftly chopped up the ingredients for the hangover soup. After he threw the ingredients into the pot, he went to prepare the ingredients needed t
Xander was worried Abigail would have another bad dream, so he lay by her side for a long time. He only stood up and left after he was certain she was peacefully asleep.Unexpectedly, Esther—who was leaning against the door and eavesdropping—lost her balance and fell into the room when Xander opened the door."Ahh..."Xander covered Esther's mouth before she could fully let out a scream. Then, he dragged her out of the door.After he shut the door, he said to her in a low voice, "I'll skin you alive if you wake up your sister-in-law."Esther pouted her lips in dissatisfaction. "You're so biased! You don't want your sister anymore now that you have my sister-in-law."Xander skillfully changed the topic. "How dare you eavesdrop while leaning against the door! Tell me, how should I punish you?""Grandma told me to always keep an eye on you two and report advancements in your relationship to her at all times," Esther said while running. She was worried her brother would throw her do
Abigail thought for a bit. "How about this? We'll meet around Easter Tuesday. Since Easter will be over and we'll still be on vacation, Mr. Zane surely won't have the time to mind my business. He probably won't notice if I go out for a day or two."Emma said, "Then I won't give you my precise address for now. I'll still have time to run if Ron has also tapped your phone. We'll get in touch again once you're in Neese."Abigail understood her worries and said, "Alright. I'll contact you when I'm there."Emma continued, "I've only been out for over a month, but it feels like it's been a year. When I first escaped, I had bad dreams throughout that period. I didn't sleep well every day. I was so scared that I'd open my eyes to find myself in that familiar room with that demon-like man lying by my side."Abigail felt so bad she teared up. "Don't be scared, Emma. You're free. No matter how strong that monster—Ron—is, he won't have the ability to have his way in Francovia. Forget about the
The words "You're awake" that came out of Xander's mouth sounded so rich it could impregnate one's ears.Abigail nodded. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Zane. I woke up late and put off my work in the morning.""There isn't any work in the morning." When Abigail got close, Xander saw her red eyes and felt his chest tighten. "You cried? Why'd you cry?"Abigail quickly shook her head. "I didn't cry. It's just the foam from the face wash that got into my eyes."Xander was dubious. However, he did not force her since she was unwilling to tell him.He set down the tablet in his hands and walked toward her. "I got someone to prepare lunch. Let's eat first.""Alright."Just as Abigail was about to follow Xander to the dining room, Xander's personal phone on the coffee table rang.Abigail stopped walking and watched Xander answer the phone.Xander accepted the phone call, and Ron's angry voice sounded from the other end of the line, "Mr. Zane, watch your wife and stop letting her get in my way."
Xander smiled as he said, "Yes. Ron called. But he won't dare to do anything to my wife. Don't worry.""Does he... Does he know about Emma's whereabouts?" Ron called right after Abigail received news about Emma. So, she could not help but suspect that Ron already knew where Emma was hiding.'If Ron got to know Emma's whereabouts from me, if Emma falls into his hands again, she'll end up dead.'The more she thought about it, the more terrified she was. Abigail was so scared that she tightly clenched her hands on her thigh.Xander ordered the chef to bring the dishes. He then served Abigail a bowl of soup. He said, "It's cold. Drink some soup to warm your body."Abigail's whole body was cold due to the various guesses in her mind. She indeed needed this bowl of soup to warm her body. But she was not in the mood to drink it. She asked, "Mr. Zane, Ron knows where Emma is, right?"Xander did not answer her immediately just now because he wanted to give her some hope. But since she ins
Xander could read the fear in Abigail's eyes. But since he already said that, he thought he should just finish saying it. Or else, she would just imagine things more. He said, "Abigail, it's not my words that are cruel, it's the society that's cruel. And it's also a brutal fact that Emma has to face."Abigail had not seen her mother. And her father passed away early. She had seen too many of the realities of society in the past twenty-four years. There were many things that she knew better than anyone else. It was just that she was unwilling to accept them. Occasionally, she would even naively think that she could get anything done as long as she put in the effort.She repeatedly loosened her clenched fists and clenched them again. She asked, "So, what you're saying is that as long as Ron doesn't let her go in this lifetime, Emma can never break free from his control except through death?"Xander pushed the silver-rimmed glasses on his nose. He then collectedly made a sound, "Hmm."
Abigail raised her eyebrows as she said, "Then tell me why you want to help me?"'Because you're my wife!' Xander thought this reason alone could clear Abigail's doubt. But he could not take this risk before she had the slightest affection for him. He answered, "Must I need a reason to help you? Just take it as I'm in a good mood today and want to do something kind, okay?"Abigail thought, 'He wants to do something kind when he's in a good mood.'What if he isn't in a good mood?'They just control a person's life as they like. Are they not afraid of bad karma?'"Mr. Zane, thank you for your good intention. But I don't need your help." Abigail knew very well that an ordinary person could never gain an advantage from making a deal with demons."Abigail!" He called her name with emphasis. His gaze under the silver-rimmed glasses was terrifyingly fierce. This was the true Xander.Xander did not want her to foolishly think he was a harmless little sheep that she could manipulate just
Xander knew Ron's way of doing things very well. But he did not expect Ron to use this kind of approach on his own wife. He said, "You're using the Blue family to threaten Emma to come back to you. Her heart will only be further away from you if you do this."Ron responded, "As long as I can have her with me, is where her heart truly belongs important?"Xander said, "Is it not?"Ron asked, "Let me ask you, if one day Abigail wants to run away from you, will you take drastic measures to make her stay?"Xander was very sure when he answered, "That day won't come."Ron said, "I said if."Xander replied, "I won't."Ron asked, "You won't? Can you be so sure?"Xander answered, "I'm very sure."He thought, 'If Abigail still wants to escape from me after she knows my identity, it must be because I've done something that hurt her. I won't shamelessly make her stay if I've hurt her.'Ron smiled as he said, "Xander, I hope you can stick to your words. Or else, I'll personally come and r
Emma turned and dashed into the bathroom. She cranked the faucet on and splashed water on her face, aiming to soothe her nerves.Although they were engaged, they were still too young, with countless uncertainties looming over their future. The possibility of actually walking down the aisle was up in the air.Decisions made in a rush of happiness could eventually become sources of regret. And Emma knew all too well that she couldn't afford any regrets.She thought that fortunately, Ron hadn't pushed things further, which gave her time to cool off.After freshening up, Emma stepped out to find Ron on the balcony, a cigarette in hand.She couldn't resist chiding him, "I've told you to cut down on smoking. Why can't you seem to remember?"This time, Ron complied, snuffing out the cigarette. "We should get some sleep. We've got to put our best foot forward when we meet your family tomorrow.""Okay, I'll sleep on the couch. You take the bed," Emma responded.Ron simply replied, "As y
Ron looked at her dawdling pace with disdain. "If you, a lady, can handle it, why can't I, a grown man, stay?"His words sounded noble, but Ron regretted them the moment they arrived at the hotel.Despite now earning a decent income, Emma was still reluctant to spend money.This place was hardly a hotel; it was clearly a budget inn charging only a few dozen bucks a night. The hygiene was questionable at best, and safety seemed like a gamble.Ron turned on his heel, dragging her suitcase behind him. "We're leaving, now.""It's too late, and we can't get a refund for the room.""Are you trying to get us killed?"Emma fell silent, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration. 'I told him he wouldn't be used to cheap places. He insisted on coming with me, and now he won't even let me stay here alone. Why is he so annoying?'However, considering Ron had rushed over in the middle of the night to help her, Emma decided not to hold it against him.Ron picked the best hotel in the area—the
Rebekah glanced over at Ron; she exchanged a knowing look with him before saying, "I'll have someone tidy up the rooms. Why don't you two stay here tonight and keep me company?"Ron replied simply, "Sure."Emma had purchased a midnight flight back to South Florivera, necessitating a rush to the airport, which made staying over after dinner impossible.Yet, she found herself at a loss for words, struggling to decline Rebekah's kind offer.As she hesitated, Ron stepped in to clear the air. "Mom, I've got something on tonight. After dinner, I'll drive Emma back to her dorm."Rebekah raised an eyebrow. "What's so important?" she wondered aloud, thinking, 'Wasn't he the one insisting Emma stay over? What's he up to now?'Ron kept it mysterious. "Life stuff."Rebekah could not help but chide him lightly, "You, always the joker."Right after dinner, Ron insisted on leaving to take Emma back to her dormitory. But as soon as they were out of the gated community, he asked, "So, you reall
Ron chuckled. "I didn't know you were aware that even a cornered rat will fight."Emma shot him a glare. "Are we going or not?"Ron quickly said, "Of course. When Miss Blue commands, how can I dare not obey?"Fearing another of his notorious driving escapades, Emma hastily buckled her seatbelt as she settled into the car.Thankfully, this time Ron kept it smooth, driving steadily.As they neared their destination, Ron finally spoke up, "You know, that Tucker guy is a married man. Don't let his kindness fool you into being the other woman."Emma's gaze on Ron was fiery, seething with anger. "Do you even hear yourself? Is that what you think of me? For the last time: Tucker and I share nothing more than a mentor-mentee relationship. There's nothing else between us.""I'm just looking out for you, worried you might get deceived," Ron said, witnessing Emma's fury for the first time. Yet, he could not help but find her anger not at all intimidating, but rather endearingly foolish.R
The two sisters had a pact: no cell phones at home to keep their secrets from the prying eyes of the Blue family. Thus, Emma could call only at prearranged times, the sole window for Rihanna to catch up.Rihanna's voice bubbled with excitement over the phone, as she chattered away about her life's minutiae.Knowing Rihanna was doing well eased Emma's mind.Just as Emma was about to end the call, she heard Rihanna's voice, soft and wistful. "You're really not coming home for the holidays? If you don't, I'll be all alone."Emma's heart clenched at those words, and she made up her mind in an instant. "I'll come back the day before New Year's Eve."The Blue family had their hands full with festivities that day, too busy to notice Rihanna's absence. Emma figured slipping back unnoticed then would be her best shot.After hanging up, Emma immediately booked a flight from Valtara to South Florivera. With her ticket secured and her last bit of work finished, Emma prepared to leave her off
Emma had no interest in romance, let alone the audacity to dream that Ron might fancy her.This time, she did not pick up the thread of conversation.After dinner, Ron, as usual, drove Emma back to the university.Before parting, Ron said, "Winter break is almost upon us, and the dorms might be off-limits. Are you sure you don't want to stay at my place for a couple of months?"Emma offered a smile in response. "Thanks for the offer. I've spoken with the dorm supervisor and submitted an application in advance. I'll be able to stay over the holiday period."Ron paused before saying, "Well, if you need anything, just let me know. I'll text you my number in a bit; make sure you save it."Emma nodded. "Sure."Without further ado, Ron drove off.Upon returning to her dorm, Emma saw Evelyn and Cassie, busy packing their bags, surrounded by gifts for their parents bought from Valtara.Evelyn asked Emma, "Are you really not going home for the winter break?"Emma replied, "No, I won't
Emma did not have the guts to risk failure because she did not have a safe haven to fall back on.Lucas kicked Ron in the shin. "Come on, if you fancy her, out with it. No Hagrid heir dithers like this."Ron glared at him. "Mind your own business." In his head, Emma was already his. The thought of losing her was unimaginable.Lucas said, "Without my meddling, she'd never be yours."Ron changed the subject. "I called you here for a serious discussion."Lucas replied, "No matter how serious, it can't outweigh the matter of your lifetime happiness."Ron was exasperated. "Lucas!"Lucas relented. "Alright, alright, you talk, I'm all ears."Ron spelled out Emma's music venture with Tucker. After hearing it all, Lucas could not help but see Emma in a new light."Never pegged Emma as such a dark horse," Lucas said.Silently listening to their conversation, Emma was thrilled to have her work recognized.Lucas said, "But, getting back to it, whether a song makes money, and how much, d
Ron barked, "Lucas!"With a chuckle, Lucas responded, "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing Emma. I'm starving. Let's grab some food and talk business while we eat."Ron snapped, "Get lost!"Lucas could not help but revel in Ron's frustration. "Ron, have you fallen so quickly? Who was it that told me they would never accept an arranged marriage?"Emma was increasingly confused by their banter. "If it's inconvenient for me to be here, I can just take a cab and leave."Ron said, "Call you dumb and you won't admit it!"Emma thought to herself, 'I didn't want to be a third wheel, cramping their style. Was that really so wrong? No good deed goes unpunished, apparently.'Suddenly, Ron grabbed Emma's hand and led her inside. "It's cold out; let's go inside."Emma had to quicken her pace, practically being dragged along.Seeing them together, Lucas laughed heartily from behind. "Ron, oh Ron, never thought I'd see the day.""Don't laugh too soon. Your day is coming," Ron shot back.Th
Emma said, "Okay."Ron asked, "Have you won over your crush?"Lucas responded, "Secret."Ron replied, "Looks like you haven't won her over."Lucas said, "As long as I make a move, there's no girl I can't win over. But I haven't made a move yet because the timing isn't right."Ron asked, "Is it because of the Sandow family?"Lucas answered, "The Sandow family wants to marry their daughter to me, and my family wants me to marry her too. But I've told them long ago that I'm not willing to do that. Nobody can make me marry a girl I don't like."Emma remained silent. 'I didn't expect that Lucas would also have the same problem as me and Ron.'It seems like the wealthier the family, the more they'll arrange marriages based on social status without considering personal preferences.'Lucas seemed to sense Emma's thoughts. "Emma, my situation with the Sandow girl is different from yours and Ron's. Don't lump us together."Ron looked at Emma and suddenly said, "There isn't any other gi