Calista's words gave Lucian the confidence boost he needed. He leveled a frown at Selena."Stop trying to sow discord between me and Callie, Mom. We're married. We'll support each other through thick and thin. We won't give up on each other no matter what happens."Selena glared at him in disapproval. "Look at you acting all innocent. You're lucky to have found Callie. Any other person would've swindled you for all you're worth."She placed herself next to Calista, indicating her disdain for him through her actions. "Ignore him, Callie. Let's pick out an invitation."Calista rubbed the back of her neck. She had buried her head in work these past few days, leaving her feeling drowsy all day long."Okay."When Lucian noticed her tiredness, he immediately gave her a massage with the right amount of force. It soothed the ache in her neck. Even her dizziness had been eased.Selena eagerly opened the album. "These are a few of the invitation designs I previously selected. Take a look,
After Timothy received his shot, they left the hospital. Yara yawned. "You should take a taxi home on your own. I'm so tired. I just want to go home and sleep."Fortunately, she had been smart enough to drive herself when she left. Otherwise, she would've had to return with Timothy.As she opened the car door and bent down to get in, Timothy grabbed her. "I just got an injection, and it's not easy to find a taxi this late at night. Are you planning to just leave me here?"Yara leveled him with a bewildered stare. "You're a man. Why are you the one concerned about being attacked?"Timothy looked at her in silence. Even though he said nothing, Yara caved. The two were stuck in a stalemate on the deserted street. After a while, she opened the car door with a frustrated look. "Let's go. I'll drop you off. Just my luck to get myself involved in this mess."He heard her sarcastic quip despite her muttering under her breath. A smirk played on his lips as he got into the passenger seat.
Timothy let out a helpless sigh at Yara's apparent cluelessness. She failed to grasp what he was trying to say. He took her hand and led her upstairs.Although was still winter, his palm was unusually warm. Yara felt as if she had dipped her cold hand into lava. It was such a comfortable feeling that she couldn't help but extend her other hand as well. She gave Timothy a look, signaling for him to grab it.He smiled at her pushiness. He took her outstretched hand and immediately broke into a frown. "Why are you so cold?"Many women had cold hands and feet in winter. Yara didn't think it was something worth fussing over. "Sir, it's winter."Timothy, however, wasn't as indifferent as she was. "I know a renowned doctor who practices holistic medicine. I'm setting up an appointment for you.""I don't want to."Medicinal herbs were usually bitter. If she were to undergo treatment, it would take at least two weeks. Yara wasn't keen on putting herself through that suffering. Her hands a
That weekend, Lucian set up an appointment with the staff from the bridal studio and brought Calista along. She was going to be picking how the venue would be styled.The consultant first showed them several sets of photos of the site layout featuring various styles of decor. "Take a look. See if there are any that catch your eye."As Lucian studied the video with bouquets everywhere, a familiar scene flashed in his mind. It was in a place just like it with flowers piled up everywhere. He was wearing a black suit and holding up a dark ring box as he repeatedly rehearsed the proposal to himself.He was awkwardly down on one knee. Although he didn't stumble over his words, every word that came out of his mouth sounded wrong. He repeated the lines over and over again like an inexperienced teenager. He closed his eyes. The place looked like a restaurant.But Lucian couldn't remember ever doing such a thing. He and Calista were already married when he still had his memories. There wou
Hector was accustomed to military life. When he got excited, he treated Calista like one of his soldiers, which led to his arm around her shoulder out of habit."Listen to me… Ouch…"He suddenly felt a sharp pain in his knuckles from someone's bone-crushing grip. He gasped and turned to look back with a grimace. Hector was met with Lucian's cold gaze as the latter slowly peeled the former's hand off of Calista's shoulder."You can talk all you want, but keep your hands to yourself."Hector was at a loss for words.If Lucian hadn't twisted his hand, he wouldn't have noticed at all. In any case, wasn't it normal to casually drape an arm around someone's shoulder in today's society?However, if any man were to put his arm around his wife the way he was doing, he wouldn't be pleased either. But, he wasn't going to admit that to Lucian. Otherwise, there was no telling how smug Lucian was going to be."We're as close as siblings. What's wrong with me putting my arm around her?"Despi
Lucian was still conflicted because of Calista's evasive response. "I don't know. I forgot," he answered placidly.He then recalled the information relating to Cade he had previously seen. It prompted him to add, "Don't get too close to her.""Why?" Calista asked. His warning only piqued her curiosity about Cameron. This wasn't the first time he had cautioned her this way. Lucian frowned. It took him a moment to come up with an appropriate descriptor for Cameron. "She's a fearsome woman who isn't afraid to raise her hand." Calista was at a loss for words.Lucian remained downcast throughout their journey home. When Calista asked questions, he would answer. If she didn't speak, he remained silent. When they got back to the Everglade Manor, he immediately went to the study on the second floor. His despondent behavior left her confused. How could his mood change so unpredictably? Women were one thing. Did men also suffer for a few days every month?Meanwhile, Lucian went through t
Calista's words dispelled the gloom that had plagued him. That night, Lucian had a dreamless slumber.The next day, he opened his eyes to the sight of Calista's serene countenance still lax with sleep. Her slightly curled hair was scattered messily on the pillow. A few strands of hair stuck to her face. The warmth had tinted her cheeks pink, and even her lips were a rosy shade.Lucian leaned over and planted a soft kiss on her lips. However, Calista was deeply asleep and showed no signs of waking up. So, he kissed her again. After several attempts, her long, curled lashes fluttered. She wrinkled her brows as she struggled to open her eyes. Her voice was still raspy with sleep. "What time is it?"Lucian reached for the phone on the bedside table. The screen unlocked immediately after the device scanned his face. He checked the time and said, "9:30 a.m."After answering her question, he tapped on the notification informing him of a new message on WhatsApp. After a quick glance, his
Lucian was in a terrible mood with two unwanted groomsmen trying to force themselves into his eagerly anticipated wedding. His expression stayed visibly dark for several days which caused unrest among the company's staff. Even David and Simon, who were always at odds with one another, shared the same opinion for once. They believed that Lucian was suffering from pre-wedding jitters.David, who was constantly being verbally berated, sighed mournfully. "This isn't even his first time. What's there to be anxious about? Poor Mr. Northwood."Simon was going to ignore him at first. However, just as he was about to leave, he noticed someone standing at the door out of the corner of his eye. It was a man wearing leather shoes and trousers. He was dressed in a somewhat familiar style. So, he cleared his throat."Mr. Northwood is nervous because he cares too much about Madam Calista. What do you know?"Quarreling with Simon was par for the course. David would've gotten back at him if the