Margaret lit two candles, passing them to Abigail and Xander. "It's time to remember your grandfather."Abigail took the candle, sincerely joining Xander in a moment of silent reflection before the framed picture of their late grandfather. After their quiet homage, Margaret addressed the photo, "Dear old man, Xander has brought our new family member to see you. Take a good look at our Abigail. She's an exceptional woman, radiant both in beauty and spirit. By marrying Abigail, Xander has truly hit the jackpot."Abigail blushed, bashful from the praises, while Esther chimed in from the side, "I agree. It's Xander's good luck to have married Abigail."Margaret turned to Xander. "Why are you so quiet?""What should I say?""Do I really need to tell you what to say? You should be praising your wife to your grandfather."Xander looked helpless but followed through. "Grandpa, see this flushed girl next to me? She's my lawfully wedded wife, Abigail, from North Florivera. Today, in front
Abigail said, "I'm not just looking out for Esther, but you too, Grandma. You're all my family now, so it's only right that I stand up for you."How could anyone resist a woman as beautiful, kind-hearted, and eloquent? "Abigail, you've made me so happy today," Margaret exclaimed, her face glowing with a warm smile. As for her granddaughter-in-law, she could not have asked for a more perfect match.Naturally, Margaret was not the only one brimming with joy that day. Xander felt equal happiness. He was a man of few words, but he hung on to every one of Abigail's. He saw her defend him, stand up for his sister, and embrace their status as a family. Even though she had not fully adjusted to her new role, she was striving to adapt. Everything Abigail said and did feel like a gentle warmth slowly seeping into his heart.He watched Abigail, silent and intent, until Margaret broke the tranquil moment by calling his name. "Xander, what are you waiting for? Take Abigail upstairs to change int
She hung her head low, her voice sweet and soft as she replied, "It's different.""What's different?" Xander asked.Abigail wondered, 'Does he genuinely not understand, or is he just teasing me?'"Huh?" he pressed.His voice was so deep and rich that even a single syllable from him made Abigail's cheeks flush. "The way I feel about you and Grandma, it's different."Of course, Xander understood. He just wanted to rile her up, wanted to hear her say it out loud. "So, do you like me a little now?"That question stumped Abigail because she was not sure herself. "I don't know."Xander's eyebrows quirked up. "Don't know?"Abigail obediently nodded. "But what I'm certain of is, you're Nathan, my husband. The man I'll grow to love will only be you."This was her way of being accountable to their marriage. She, like him, was committed to making their marriage work. The question of love had not factored much into it. Xander had also maintained this attitude toward their marriage, but no
Looking back now, it was glaringly obvious that his grandmother was pretending to be ill. But back then, he fell for her ruse hook, line, and sinker. Following his grandmother's instructions, he drove to Florivera University, parking his car under the plane tree at the north gate, waiting for the girl to collect her things.She came promptly after the phone call. It was pretty dark under the tree, and his car window was only partly opened. From the meeting to the handover, he never got a good look at the girl's face. Maybe he was too preoccupied with finishing his grandmother's task quickly so he could return to her side. Inside the car, it was dark, and considering the slight opening in the window, he guessed she probably did not get a clear look at him either.He still remembered this incident years later, mainly because he thought the girl was impolite—she grabbed the items without a word of thanks, and she ran off. That girl could very well have been Abigail. Meaning, his connect
Xander asked, "Am I really that frightening?"Holding back her laughter, Abigail replied, "Mr. Zane, do you want the truth or a lie?""You don't need to say a thing." Xander released her, marching toward the third floor with purpose.Abigail hurried to keep up with him. "Actually, it's not that you were scary. I simply couldn't see you clearly back then. I thought there was a kidnapper in the car. I was afraid that if I got too close, the villain might snatch me into the vehicle. That's what frightened me. If I had recognized the handsome man in the car, I certainly wouldn't have run."Xander halted and shot her a one-word reply, "Superficial!"Abigail pouted. "Aren't you superficial too?" Xander remained silent, giving her the opportunity to continue. "If I were unattractive, would you have still agreed to marry me? Would you still take responsibility for our marriage? I speak my mind, unlike you, always hiding your thoughts and making others guess."He realized that she was mor
"Xander nonchalantly responded, letting the words slip out effortlessly, "Just a hunch."'A hunch? Could he divine a woman's intimate measurements by mere intuition?' It was a disquieting notion that he might have done this for countless others. The mere thought of him being this familiar with other women caused a ripple in Abigail's previously tranquil mood. "Have you done this... lingerie shopping... for other women?"A bemused blink, followed by a laugh that could flay the sanity from a saint, escaped Xander. "Oh, are you jealous?"He was sinfully good-looking, the kind of man who could make hell seem like a day at the beach. His smile, devastatingly captivating, caused Abigail to shift her gaze, struggling to keep the conversation on track. "You're deflecting."Seizing her hand in a sudden, firm grasp, he placed it over his heart. "Do you feel that?""Feel what?""My heartbeat."His whisper, warm as a summer breeze, brushed against her earlobe, stirring an involuntary shiver
Abigail's quick reflexes kicked in, saving Esther from a nasty stumble. "Essy, what are you up to?""I'm on a secret mission from Grandma to see if you and Xander are planning to start a family." Esther obviously could not spill the beans. She came up with a lie on the fly. "Actually, Grandma wants to know if you're craving anything special for dinner so she can whip it up.""I'm an easy eater. I'll happily eat whatever's on the table. But perhaps you could whip up something light and easy on the stomach for Xander. He's been under the weather lately."'Under the weather? Just after they've made their relationship official?' Esther's mind started to wander. 'Xander has performance issues? It seems like Abigail just confirmed my suspicion. I need to tell Grandma to cook up some power-packed meals for him, or the Zane line might be in trouble.' She gave Xander and then Abigail a quick glance, feeling a wave of sympathy for her. "I really feel for you, Abigail. It's rough, being so you
Esther was slammed with a brutal truth: Abigail was not the rock she could lean on, but instead, could become an unyielding grasp, clutching her tightly."Abigail, you're not fond of me anymore, are you?" The pang of rejection was brief as Esther hastily devised a plan to win back Abigail's attention. "I know I've never been the cute, lovable kid. If you don't love me, I get it. From this moment until supper, ignore me. Let me find a corner to weep in solitude for a couple of hours."This move might soften Abigail's heart, but Xander was far from moved. "Alright, go find your crying corner then. Just don't get in Abigail's and my way."Esther held her tongue, only blinking at Abigail through teary eyes. The sight softened Abigail's heart as she quickly enfolded Esther in a hug, then shot a glare at Xander."Ease up on Essy. She's your little sister for crying out loud. Can't you be a bit softer on her?"Xander was well-aware of Abigail's tender heart. "This girl is all theatrics.