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Chapter 9. Doubts, Demands, and Unspoken Tensions
Date de publication:
2026-04-09 18:25:14
Latest chapter
The Shadow Husband Chapter 9. Doubts, Demands, and Unspoken Tensions
"Talk is easy when you have nothing."Arthur’s mother spoke before Julian left, crossing her arms over her chest and laughing mockingly. Her eyes swept over Julian from head to toe with a condescending look. Beside her, Arthur wore a sneering smile too, wrapping an arm around Natalie’s shoulders as she continued to fake sob."You want to make Claire happy? With what, Julian? With your odd-job laborer’s wages?" Arthur chimed in again with a dismissive tone. "You probably have to make installment payments just to buy a decent pair of shoes."Julian did not take the bait. His face remained calm, but his gaze was ice cold as he looked at Natalie. "We’ll see. But before that, I think this house has a pretty good security system. I’ll ask the guards to check the CCTV footage in this garden to see who actually attacked first."Natalie’s sobbing stopped instantly. She froze and glanced toward the hidden security camera amidst the dense foliage of the large trees. Cold sweat began to bead at h
The Shadow Husband Chapter 8. Confrontation in the Garden
"You remember your promise not to be late, right?"Julian’s voice was low as Claire just stepped through the grand entrance of the Blackwood family’s main residence. He was already standing there, dressed in a dark suit that made him stand out sharply against the opulence of the house filled with gold carvings.Claire was slightly out of breath, smoothing her wind-tousled hair. "I just finished class. The train was delayed," Claire said softly.Julian only gave a slight nod, then gestured for Claire to follow him into the living room. Inside, the atmosphere felt stiff. Silas Blackwood sat in his grand armchair, while Natalie, Arthur, and their parents occupied the luxurious sofa with unreadable expressions."Since everyone is gathered, I have something to say," Silas began, his eyes sharp as he looked at Natalie and Arthur. "Regarding your wedding plans, I have made a decision. You will get married in the near future."Natalie immediately sat up straight, a wide smile spreading across
The Shadow Husband Chapter 7. Whispers of Danger and Unspoken Fears
"Oops, my hand is so slippery."The sharp sound of a porcelain cup shattering on the café floor made Claire jump. Natalie stood in front of her with an innocent look, while a spill of latte coffee stained Claire’s scuffed work shoes. The annoying woman had come back to the café where Claire worked today."Clean this up, Claire. It was an accident," Natalie said, wearing a satisfied smile.Claire clenched her hands at her sides next to her tray. She could feel the café patrons’ eyes turning toward them. Her breath quickened, but she closed her eyes for a moment, trying to swallow the anger that had risen to her throat."Alright, I will clean it up," Claire replied in a low, trembling voice."That’s more like it. A good waitress should be obedient," Natalie giggled, deliberately stepping on one of the cup shards before sauntering out of the café.Claire knelt down to pick up the porcelain pieces. Her finger was nicked slightly, but she didn’t care. She just wanted this night shift to be
The Shadow Husband Chapter 6. Unspoken Questions and Unwanted Encounters
"Are you trying to poison me first thing this morning?"Julian froze in the kitchen doorway, staring at Claire’s back as she bustled in front of the stove. The scent of fried garlic and sunny side up eggs filled the penthouse, a space that usually smelled of expensive aromatherapy and sterile, empty air.Claire turned around, holding a spatula, her cheeks slightly flushed from the heat of the burner. "I’m just making a simple breakfast. Consider it part of my rent here, since I can’t let you survive on canned food every day."Julian didn’t reply. He walked over, pulled up a tall bar stool, and stared at the plate of fried rice and eggs still steaming hot. It had been years since he’d eaten anything other than meals at fancy restaurants or protein bars in the middle of missions. Seeing an ordinary ceramic plate with food made by someone else’s hands made his chest feel tight. Yet his expression remained as blank as ever."Eat it. Don’t just stare," Claire said, setting a glass of water
The Shadow Husband CHAPTER 5. MISUNDERSTOOD SILENCE
"Personal affairs, is that right? Including the fact that your husband might be a criminal like you are thinking now?" Julian asked as he signed the contract draft Claire had handed him, without a moment’s hesitation.Claire was stunned for a moment before finding the courage to respond. "That is not what I meant. I only heard from Arthur that you have certain medical conditions. Something about being asexual. So, I thought this contract would make you feel more comfortable being around me."Julian paused mid-sip of his whiskey. He looked at Claire with furrowed brows, then a short, sarcastic laugh escaped his lips. "Asexual? So that is what my bastard cousin told you?""He said you hated women and would never touch me," Claire whispered, her face flushing with embarrassment at discussing such a sensitive matter on their first night together.Julian leaned back in his balcony chair, fixing Claire with an unreadable gaze. "Interesting. If that is what makes you feel safe sleeping under
The Shadow Husband CHAPTER 4. LUXURY BEHIND THE VEIL
"Amen. From this moment forward, you are husband and wife in the eyes of the law and God," the priest’s voice echoed through the cathedral, closing a ceremony that felt like a dream to Claire.Julian Blackwood slowly lifted the thin veil covering Claire’s face. His sharp, deep gaze seemed to hold all of Claire’s awareness captive. Under the glow of the hall’s crystal chandeliers, Julian did not kiss her lips. Instead, as their awkward arrangement dictated, he simply pressed a gentle yet protective kiss to her forehead."Stay close to me. Do not let go of my hand until we leave this building," Julian whispered, his low voice sending a shiver through Claire’s senses.Claire could only nod slightly, her fingers wrapped tightly around Julian’s firm arm. As they turned to greet their guests, the hall’s atmosphere shifted from murmurs of disdain to silence filled with admiration. The businesspeople who were Silas Blackwood’s colleagues looked stunned by Julian’s commanding presence.In the
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