Chapter 141
Edith knew Lauren only wanted what was best for her.
She nodded. “I get it, Lauren. But this time, I don’t want to stay cooped up in the house playing the perfect wife. I’ve thought it through–I can paint, and I’m good at it. I won’t have any trouble putting food on the table.”
Seeing Edith so energized, Lauren’s face lit up with delight. “I’ve met a few people in the art world when I put on my last exhibition. Let me reach out, see what I can do for you!”
Upstairs in his study, Justin heard the car engine cut off and hurried to the window. When he spotted the glow of headlights in the garage, a slow smile spread across his face.
Edith was home.
He forgót he was still in the middle of a quick video conference and nearly bolted for the stairs.
It wasn’t until his computer chimed with a reminder from his assistant that he snapped back to reality.
Justin returned to his desk, glanced into the camera, and said, “Sorry, my wife just got home. I’ll be having dinner with her tonight.”
His assistant could only sigh in resignation. He’d never seen Mr. Hawksley so… unprofessional before.
There was a time when Mr, Hawksley was so consumed by work that even his own assistant wondered how he managed to keep up.
But now, with Mr. Hawksley’s priorities shifting, everyone on his team could finally breathe a little easier,
By the time Edith and Lauren made it to the main house’s living room, Justin was already waiting by the dining table.
The table was laid with a wonderful spread–everything looked delicious, both fragrant and inviting.
1/3
15:31
Chapter 141
But to Lauren, the most inviting thing at the table wasn’t the food, but the man standing beside it.
She stared at Justin for a good ten seconds before tearing her eyes away, then leaned in to whisper to Edith, “You lucky girl. You’re eating well these days.”
At first, Edith didn’t catch her meaning. Sure, the dinner looked great, but it wasn’t anything so extravagant as to leave her speechless. What did Lauren mean by “eating well“?
It wasn’t until it clicked–Lauren meant Justin–that Edith’s cheeks turned
a rosy pink.
Justin noticed right away and stepped forward, concern wrinkling his brow. “Edith, are you feeling warm? I can ask Latonia to turn the heat down.”
Edith waved him off and guided Lauren to their seats. “No, I’m fine. Not hot at all. I just…”
At a loss for a better excuse, she simply said, “I blushed because I’m hungry.”
Justin’s lips curled into a soft smile. “Then eat as much as you’d like.”
Edith made the introductions. “Justin, this is Lauren, my cousin. Lauren, this is Justin, my… husband.”
The word “husband” brought an almost boyish grin to Justin’s face. He’d been called that countless times before, but hearing it from Edith somehow made it feel syrupy sweet.
And he liked it.
Lauren was about to greet him when the name suddenly struck her as familiar, “Ju…Justin? Hold on, that sounds awfully familiar. Are there really so many Justins in Northcrest?”
Justin was dressed in comfortable clothes, but he somehow managed to make even loungewear look elegant. He gave Lauren a polite smile.
“Perhaps you know another Justin?”
טוט
15:31
Chapter 141
Lauren shook her head vigorously. “No, no, not personally. I could never rub shoulders with someone at your level. I’ve just heard the
name–Justin Hawksley, eldest son of the Hawksley family. I think everyone in Northcrest has heard of you.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.