Chapter 11

"How long are we keeping it a secret? From everyone?"I thought for a moment. "How about a month? No telling anyone. Okay?"Leon pressed his lips together, head lowered, fists clenched slightly, as if trying to convince himself.I waited patiently for two minutes until he managed to convince himself."Alright."Looking at his slightly aggrieved expression, I almost laughed. Who exactly started the rumor that Leon was cold and ruthless? This man was clearly so obedient.I stood on my toes and ruffled his hair. "Good boy… husband."Leon’s face flushed instantly. "What did you just call me?"I blinked. "Husband."His face turned even redder, and he lowered his head, trying to hide it. "Oh…"I deliberately teased him. "Then what should you call me?"Leon glanced around, cheeks still flushed, then leaned in close to my ear and spoke softly, "Wife."His warm breath brushed against my ear, sending a tingling sensation through me. It felt… nice."I didn’t hear that. Say it again."

Chapter 12

It seemed as though things were finally moving toward the inevitable next chapter.Just as my imagination began to wander, Leon returned. He slipped his arms around my waist from behind, looking around the revamped bedroom with a satisfied smile. "It finally feels like a real home," he murmured.I gripped his hand but found myself unable to find the words to reply.His intuition kicked in immediately. "Ava, is something the matter? Your face is flushed."Embarrassed, I slammed the closet door shut and shielded my face. "It's just... a bit warm in here."Leon scrutinized me for a beat before a flash of realization crossed his features. A playful smirk tugged at his lips as he teased, "Are you feeling shy, wifey? Is it because we're officially living together now?"Startled, I lunged forward to press my hand over his mouth. "Who gave you permission to say that?"Leon simply quirked an eyebrow, leaning down to press a soft kiss against my palm. "If you’re this shy now, what are you

Chapter 13

"Which friends?""Just old coworkers. You don’t know them.""Not a single one I know?""None," I denied decisively.Leon stared at me for a long moment. "Alright." Then he turned and left.I felt a twinge of guilt about keeping secrets, but the history of my long-standing crush on someone else made the idea of mentioning this dinner to my husband feel incredibly awkward.I convinced myself it wouldn't matter. Brogan might not even attend, and even if he did, it was just one meal—a quick affair that would be over before I knew it.At least, that was what I thought.When I reached the restaurant Megan had suggested, the sight of Leon's car stopped me cold. My first instinct was to run, but it was like the car had been waiting for me.As the window slid down to reveal Leon, our eyes met, and I felt a sinking realization that I was in deep trouble."Wifey," he said, his voice carrying a sharp, chilly edge, "are you here for a meal with friends as well?"I wiped imaginary sweat o

Chapter 14

A colleague beside me couldn’t help but speak up, "Ava, the meal hasn’t even started yet. You shouldn’t be drinking like that…"I ignored him. After steadying myself, I picked up the second glass I’d just poured and drained it in one go.I wasn’t much of a drinker to begin with. Having two potent drinks back-to-back amplified the effect even more intensely.When I opened my eyes again, my vision had doubled.I turned my gaze toward Leon and found him looking at me, too. His expression was complicated, but I couldn’t make it out clearly.As my consciousness began to slip and I sensed him starting to look away, the word escaped my lips before I could stop it."Hubby…"The entire private room plunged into an immediate, heavy silence. Everything stood perfectly still.One of the more obnoxious coworkers was the first to react, laughing. "Wow, Ava, you’re so obsessed with Mr. Sheppard that you’ve gone crazy, huh?"Only then did scattered laughter start to ripple around the room.B

All Chapters of Claimed in Public: Chapter 11 - Chapter 14

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14