mm

said casually, but each wo

his chest, her bright eyes locking onto

yes were incr

d to take her to

than set the book aside. "You do realize th

fusion, then gave a know

he mused aloud, then scooped her up effortlessly.

gled, playfully hitting his

d voluntarily brought her into his social circle. She spent the entire af

posed to concentrate at work?" he t

e'. you?" she a

. For the first time, she felt like they were finally acting like a real marrie

rivate lounges. When they entered the private room, conversa

th a hand around her wa

been hiding for half a year? Didn't expect

s flushed with

a protective smile. "Don't be

gave him a mock glare, but inside, she

n a level far beyond her daily life. She felt like a tourist i

she s

, her makeup flawless, her posture queenly. She wasn't

instantly-it was the

the floor like nails on Sophia's nerves. She stopped in front of h

wrist beneath a dainty bracelet-exactly

her hand, noting how c

Chloe said, eyes scann

trying to read her-but all s

" A cocky voice drifted in from outs

ked familiar. Where ha

this girl loo

ew seconds before it hit

" Sophia b

" James exclaimed. Then, seeing the situation unfold around him, he

ends?" Sophia ask

to confirm. So-he had watched her get toyed wi

his arms. As if reading her mind, he leaned down an

im lead her back to the group

matically. "Oh come on, I was just joking that night. Don't take it to he

ng this goofy, apologetic version of James made her anger

Ethan's fault," she said,

If he'd stopped me back then, we would

d up drinking a few extra rounds because of him. Ethan didn't seem to mind. With a g

Chloe said as she sat down besid

"She's more than something. S

the table, grabbed a glass,

ntly. He reached out and sna

?" Chloe's eyes wer

she couldn't hold her liquo

" Chloe slurred, her tone suddenly o

, clearly unwilling to c

"You won't see me, you ignore my messages-you won't even talk to me

flatly, pushing her off a

wn for being unpredictable, and everyone k

for James to he

shouted, "Stay out

ghtened. "Are

rgy spent. She slumped into his a

she murmured, ne

mped on the table, seemingly passed out.

the room w

k" wife. The othe

uld he