LOGINNancy turned away and left the boutique without looking back.But throughout the entire walk through the mall, she couldn't stop thinking about Julian. Christian didn't love her, and neither did Quentin.Julian and Connor, on the other hand, had always treated her well. Yet, the only kind of man Nancy wanted to marry was someone like Christian or Quentin.She was still lost in her own thoughts when she stepped outside and nearly walked right into Julian.He spotted her at the same moment. Unlike every other time they had run into each other, he wasn't alone. A beautiful young actress was at his side.Nancy recognized her from a wildly popular period drama that had turned the woman into a household name almost overnight. And now, here she was, on Julian's arm.Compared to this woman, Nancy didn't hold many advantages. She had a better education, sure, but the actress had a better figure, far more money, and a kind of effortless, girl-next-door charm that Nancy simply couldn't matc
Quentin walked off toward the formal wear section without sparing Nancy's crestfallen expression a second glance.He started at the first rack and methodically worked his way through, pulling gowns out one at a time to check the style and size. He was thorough about it, mentally weighing whether each color would suit Talia or whether the cut would be comfortable on her.After five or six dresses, he shook his head and put every one of them back.Nancy's gaze followed him the entire time. The way he handled everything himself, so careful and deliberate, made it painfully clear just how attentive he was when it came to Talia. No one else could come close.Why would a man like him fall for someone like Talia? What was it about her that had Quentin so completely wrapped around her finger?It wasn't just confusion Nancy felt, but genuine bewilderment. What did Talia have that earned her that kind of devotion? Perhaps she had something on him, some kind of leverage.Thinking about it t
Nancy's enthusiasm visibly faded. "I think I'm done for now. I'll wait until he's back before deciding."The attendant didn't push it. "Of course. Take your time looking around, and if anything catches your eye, just let me know."Nancy quietly said, "Sure."She had barely gotten the word out when Quentin's voice carried over from across the room, warm and unmistakable. "You look gorgeous, sweetie. That dress is perfect on you. It makes your waist look incredible."Nancy turned toward the sound without thinking and saw Talia standing before the mirror in a pure white gown. She wasn't wearing any makeup, but the natural flush across her cheeks gave her face a soft, luminous glow that made her features look almost sculpted.Talia stared at her own reflection, her cheeks growing warmer. The dress flattered her figure in ways she hadn't expected, and Quentin's compliment wasn't helping. On top of all that, her mind kept drifting back to what had happened between them earlier.Quentin
Christian stood frozen in place, his thoughts churning.It took him a long moment before he managed to pull himself together. His fingers curled into tight fists, his heart hammering against his ribs.When he looked back toward Talia and Quentin, they had already picked out a gown for her. It was a soft, airy piece in white with pale undertones.Quentin pointed to it and told the attendant, "Could you have her try this one on?"The attendant nodded with an eager smile. "You have wonderful taste, sir. Your wife is going to look stunning in this. It just arrived, actually. Brand new to our collection."Quentin chuckled. "My wife looks stunning in everything."The attendant lifted the gown from the rack while answering him. "She's a lucky woman, sir. One can tell how much you adore her."Quentin smiled warmly. "That's what wives are for, right? To be spoiled."The attendant pulled the fitting room curtain aside and handed the gown to Talia. "If you need any help at all, just call
Quentin picked Maeve up and carried her over to the pile of gifts by the window."Look, I brought you strawberries." He pointed to a basket among the boxes.Maeve spotted them but wasn't impressed. "You cheated! You promised you'd take me to pick them. These are store-bought. That doesn't count."Quentin laughed and ruffled her hair. "I didn't cheat, and I never will. These are just for you to snack on this morning. "I have to take your aunt shopping for clothes first, and then this afternoon, we'll all go strawberry picking together."That did the trick. Maeve's face lit up. "Then I'll wait at home for you and Aunt Talia this afternoon."Quentin held out his pinky. "Let's make it official."Maeve hooked her tiny finger around his and chanted, "Pinky promise, pinky promise, whoever breaks it has to eat a bug."They sealed it with a thumb press.Quentin meant what he said. When he made a promise, he would follow through.The three of them ate breakfast together, and the momen
Quentin's hands moved on their own, settling on Talia's waist, his fingers itching to undo her clothes. But he stopped himself.This was still the Stewart residence. Kissing Talia here was nerve-wracking enough. Anything further was out of the question.He stilled his hands and just held her.Talia's head was swimming from the kiss, and before she knew it, her own hand was sliding toward the opening of his shirt. She missed the way his body felt, missed the contours and the strength of him.The moment her fingers slipped beneath the fabric, Quentin caught her wrist. He pulled her close, his breathing ragged against her ear. "Talia, not here. Let's go somewhere else."She deflated against him like all the air had been let out of her, boneless and flushed. The heat of her face seeped through the thin layer of his shirt and burned against his chest, and it took everything he had not to give in.He'd barely slept the night before. He'd spent half the night talking himself out of clim
Talia much preferred planning and preparing for Franklin's birthday banquet every year. Firstly, it was because Franklin was very fond of her. Secondly, she already knew all the tastes and food preferences of every Lane family member by heart.After a long while, Talia finally responded. "Understoo
Talia couldn't do anything despite knowing that Julian was behind everything.In Jarrowind, Christian and Quentin held the most power, followed by Julian and William. Christian, Julian, and William had each other's backs—Quentin was the only exception.That meant that if Talia wanted to fight agai
Talia shook her head. "N-No, I—"However, Quentin interrupted her before she could say another word. "In that case, that only means that the bracelet wasn't expensive enough for you to like it. Coincidentally, there's an auction tomorrow, so I'll just go there and get another more expensive one for
Julian received the video while Christian and William sat across the table, deep in discussion about a project. He finished watching the video, then looked up at Christian with a look of surprise on his face.Christian, sensing his gaze, looked over at him and asked, "What's the matter?"Julian go







