Ruben snorted. “Elliana is Cole’s wife-the lady of this house! Disrespecting her isn’t just rude. It’s disgraceful. If I don’t rein you in now, this family will look like a circus!”
Jaws dropped around the room. No one had expected Ruben to turn his wrath on Jeff instead of Elliana-the rule-breaker with the pet. The whole script had flipped.
Trinity smelled trouble and started inching toward the shadows, trying to fade into the background.
Irene, gutted for Jeff, spoke up. “Ruben, please, Jeff was just trying to follow your rules…”
“You kneel too!” Ruben thundered before she could finish.
For years, Irene had walked around with the air of a queen. Now, the thought of kneeling in front of everyone shattered her pride like glass. But Ruben’s steely stare left no room for protest. After a pause, she glanced at her husband, hoping for backup. “Bertram…” But Bertram didn’t flinch. “Dad said kneel, Irene. Do it.”
With clenched teeth and burning cheeks, Irene dropped beside Jeff, the humiliation crashing down on her.
Ruben’s eyes narrowed at the pair. “Jeff’s insolence is a direct result of your spoiling, Irene. You’re both grounded for three days. Use that time to chew on what you’ve done.”
Tears slid down Irene’s face as she said, “Understood.”
Still nursing his pride, Jeff protested, “Fine, I’ll take the hit for disrespecting Elliana. But she broke the no-pet rule. That’s gotta count for something!”
Before Ruben could respond, Cole smoothly stepped in. “If pets are a problem, Elliana and I can just move out. No need to stir the pot.” At these words, everyone froze.
Jeff shut up instantly. If Cole moved out over this, his punishment wouldn’t stop at being grounded. Ruben would probably tan his hide. “You little brat!” Ruben tapped Jeff’s head with his cane. “Cole’s the family lead. If he wants to let Elliana have a pet, he has every right. Who do you think you are to question that?”
Jeff’s face drained of color. “But Cole’s allergic to pet fur.”
Jeff got another cane tap and a glare from Ruben, who stated, “He is a grown man. He doesn’t need some snot-nosed kid fussing over his health.”
Chastened, Jeff looked up. “So, can I get a pet too?” He’d been dreaming of getting a fierce, majestic Alaskan Malamute. If Elliana was allowed a pet, maybe the door was open for him too.
Ruben’s expression turned to stone. “One pet is more than enough for this house!”
Jeff’s shoulders slumped in defeat. So much for that dream!
Across the room, a few exchanged looks. Ruben’s bias was loud and clear-he’d do anything to keep Cole content.
Elliana, enjoying the sweet perks of being Cole’s wife, had to stifle her laughter.
Cole felt like chuckling but kept it classy. After a quick farewell to Ruben, he took Elliana’s hand and led her upstairs.
Once they were upstairs, Elliana peeked at Cole. He’d let her keep the cat even though it made him sneeze. Her heart melted a little. “Thank you.”
“How exactly do you plan on thanking me?”
This familiar question made Elliana wary. Wary of another “kiss request,” she yanked her hand back. “No kissing. But I’ve got a present for you.”
Cole paused, interest piqued. “What kind of present?”
From her shoulder bag, Elliana carefully drew out a small object and extended her open hand toward Cole. “I brought this for you.” Resting in her palm was a delicate sachet, its simple cloth stitched by hand and decorated with tiny, ornate flowers-elegant despite its modest material.
Cole took it gently and lifted it to his nose. A light blend of flowers and herbs drifted up, subtle yet soothing. “You made this?”
“I did.”
“So, what’s the plan here?” he asked with a teasing glint. “You want me to carry it around and miss you every second I smell it?”
Elliana gave him a small pout, clearly exasperated but still soft-spoken. “It’s meant to help with allergies. If you keep it on you, the pet fur won’t bother you. You let me keep my cat-I figured it’s the least I could do to make sure you’re not suffering for it.”
Without a word, Cole gave a small nod and slipped the sachet into the inner pocket of his suit.
Cradling her cat, Elliana turned away and made her way toward the bedroom.
Cole trailed behind, eyes on her as she gently set the cat down on the sofa. “I’m heading out on a business trip tonight,” he said quietly. “Not sure when I’ll be back, so if anything gets too much, just call me.”
“Where to?” she asked, not turning around.
“Valland,” he answered. “I’m meeting with Dr. Milena Atkinson.”
Wait-he was going to see her? Elliana had just reached to scratch behind her cat’s ear when the name stopped her cold. Her gaze lifted to the tall man by the door. “Is it for someone close to you?”
The trace of a smile tugging at Cole’s lips faltered, just for a second. “Two years ago, Jeff pulled a reckless stunt that ended with the Henderson family’s third daughter plummeting from the second floor. The injury damaged her spine-she’s been unable to stand since. Things have only gotten worse, and now her life’s hanging in the balance. We brought in every top specialist we could find, but none could fix what was broken. Our families used to be close, but that accident drove a wedge between us. If she dies, there’s no repairing what’s left. Right now, everything depends on Dr. Atkinson.” Pausing, he added, “I spent a long time trying to locate Dr. Atkinson, but this elusive healer was a master at keeping the location secret, and no one had a clue what Dr. Atkinson even looked like. Tracking…”
The towel, already short, barely skimmed her thighs when worn properly. Pulling it upward to hide her face only left more of her bare skin exposed, unintentionally revealing more than it concealed.
Cole hadn’t been prepared for what he walked into-his steps faltered, and for a moment, he just stood there, stunned. She stood barefoot on the velvet rug, her legs drawn subtly together, the curve of her waist hinted at through strands of wet hair. That towel, shorter than any mini-skirt, clung to her like it didn’t want to stay in place.
Without the layers of garish makeup, her complexion was flawless-smooth, luminous, untouched. Even with half her face hidden beneath her palm, the curve of her brows, the clarity in her wide eyes, and the soft skin of her forehead were enough to steal someone’s breath. It was the kind of vision that could make any man forget his next thought.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.