Chapter 6

Marcus pinched the spot between his brows and looked grimmer before taking a deep breath and hanging up. He would make a trip back to Centrolis—just not now. He would only be alarming the people who thought that he had died in the plane crash and causing them to conspire again and find more vicious ways to harm him!

“Boba or grass jelly? Which one do you like?”

That question pulled Marcus out of his thoughts, and he met a pair of sparkling big eyes. Cordelia grinned at him, as sweet as the milk tea she had in her hand.

“What’s gotten to you?” Cordelia looked at him. “You don’t look quite…”

“I’m fine.” It did not feel good that someone could see past him.

Marcus’s voice was icy as he turned his back to her. “Have one yourself. I don’t like sweet things.”

Cordelia froze on the spot, holding two cups of milk tea. It was only after some time that she jogged up to him, biting her lip.

She stayed behind him, not daring to go too close. The man’s back felt like a slab of frosty wall. There was a world that only belonged to him on the other side, and she could not get over it no matter how close she was.

…

The second day after their wedding went by normally.

Marcus gave the bedroom to Cordelia and slept on the couch outside. There was only one duvet as well, which was given to her, so he made do with a thin sheet.

Cordelia felt bad about it. She stood by the bedroom door for quite a while, but the words “you can sleep in the room too” felt stuck in her throat. Perhaps Marcus was right. She needed time to get used to the fact that she now had a husband.

She let her head fall with a small smile.

People said that Marcus was a cold, bad communicator who always got into fights. She thought that he did not seem as bad, though. At least he showed her enough respect and tolerance.

…

According to custom, the bride should go back to visit her maiden family on the third day.

Cordelia’s heart had been thumping wildly since she had gotten up in the morning. To others, this was huge. The husband ought to keep the woman company, and they should bring along some sweet treats home. The family would have a hearty lunch together, and the newlyweds would return before sunset. However, this was practically going back to ask for money for Cordelia.

Her father had promised that he would give her a big monetary wedding gift as long as she got married in Yelena’s place. The money would cover her mother’s medical costs and her younger brother’s tuition.

It had been three days since Cordelia had gotten married and the Jenners’ promise felt like it had vanished into thin air. No one had brought it up again.

Cordelia contemplated it and decided that she had to go ask for the gift herself—but she could not take Marcus along, or everything would be exposed. Who knew what the man would do if he was angered.

“Marcus, I…”

She racked her mind for a convincing argument, mulling over a reasonable and logical excuse so that Marcus would not have to go with her. It took her some time, but she swallowed everything back and forced out the words: “I’ve made breakfast. Come have some.”

Marcus was working out at the front of the house. It felt like a corner of an iceberg melted off his heart when he heard her soft, sweet voice.

Cordelia had made scones and even fresh cream and jam. When Marcus stepped inside the small place, he suddenly found it to be brighter. The place no longer felt dingy after their wedding.

It was homier now. Everything felt warm and sunny thanks to Cordelia’s touch.

Marcus could not help the small smile that crept up on his face as he took a seat. The woman across from him seemed weighed down by thoughts. He considered it and asked, “You should visit your family today, right?”

Cordelia jolted before she bit her lip and stayed silent, not meeting his eyes.