“I’ve heard this family is biased, but I never expected them to be this blased
ctly! Didn’t the shifter say it? The
“Exactly!
The younger one provoked her first. They’re just yelling at the older one without knowing the facts”
“It’s not just blas, it’s purely about saving face
These words made my parents‘ faces turn green then purple, wishing they could tear those mouths apart
The chaos was abruptly interrupted by another scream from Chloe.
Blake was foaming at the mouth, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed
I almost forgot, Damian was a venomous snake.
But this frantic scene didn’t make me feel much better, nor did I feel any sense of sweet revenge.
It was like peeling an onion. You know the process will make you cry, and you know there’s no heart at the center.
But when you truly see your own family strip away their pretense of warmth, it still hurts deeply.
Given how things had turned out, I probably didn’t need to make an appearance after all.
I gently scratched Arthur’s palm.
“Let’s go.
Arthur took my hand, his bear paw radiating a gentle warmth that slowly thawed my frozen heart.
16
Arthur and I returned to our small home, and to our lives.
I sat on the kitchen counter, swinging my legs, inhaling the delicious aroma rising from the sizzling pan, and couldn’t help but think: Arthur truly was good at making money. Even if his company went under one day, he could still make a living selling fried rice.
The thought brought a mischievous smirk to my face.
*Smack!* Arthur slapped a bear paw on my swinging legs.
“What mischief are you cooking up?”
“Nothing. Just hungry. When will dinner be ready?”
The moment the words left my mouth, Arthur and I both froze.
I… I think I just pouted?
Arthur’s lips curved into a smile. He began to unbutton his shirt, taking it off.
I quickly covered my flushed face. “It’s broad daylight, what are you doing?!”
“What are you thinking? I just got hot from cooking.”
Yeah, right. Who are you kidding? He’s practically ready for hibernation.
What was the difference between a bare–chested man wearing a little apron and someone with “I’m trying to seduce you” written on his face?
I couldn’t resist. I hooked my foot around his side.
The moment my foot touched Arthur, he instantly stopped stirring, turned off the stove, scooped me up into his arms, and opened the bedroom door… a series of actions performed with effortless grace.
The moonlight outside was bright, almost blinding.
V blinked, trying to see clearly, when I suddenly spotted a falling star.
A week later, Arthur went into hibernation
Every day, he would force himself to conjure just enough energy to cook for me, and another sliver of energy to hold me while I slept.
All the big and small matters at the company fell onto my shoulders.
even asking me about
Eventually, even running out of toilet paper in the bathroom was reported to me. I sincerely asked, “Why are they even aski
This?”
Brenda chuckled playfully. “Do you think that rock on your finger is just for show?
I rolled my eyes good–naturedly at her.
I looked down at the ‘rock‘ on my finger. Arthur had placed it on my hand that day.
He slowly kissed my hair.
“Audrey Miller, I’m still the same. I can do anything.
“Can we become even “better” go
good friends?”
I knew he was proposing, but I wasn’t entirely pleased with the phrase “even better good friends.”
*Pla!* I gave him a playful smack.
“Say that again.”
He chuckled lightly. “Audrey Miller, thank you for appearing in my life, for becoming my good friend.
“Now, may I have your permission to ask you to be my wife?”
I sighed, resigned, and headed out to buy toilet paper.
After all, I was the boss’s wife.
(The End)
