After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 258 A Long Day

Isabel could tell that Xander wouldn't let it go until she gave him an answer.

"Alright, since you're so curious, I'll break it down for you," she said, her eyes fixed on his chiseled, stoic face. She reached out with two fingers and gently lifted the corners of his mouth.

"See? Smiling like this makes you look so much younger and approachable. You always walk around with that stone-cold expression. Young people don't act like that! Even people in their thirties or forties don't always have to look so serious." More smiles? More approachable?

Xander imagined what that might look like and immediately rejected the idea. It felt absurd-completely out of character.

Seeing his slightly furrowed brows, Isabel guessed what was going through his mind.

Honestly, she was used to his cool, detached demeanor. If he ever suddenly loosened up, started bouncing around while walking, or acting playful ...

She wouldn't know how to handle that either.

Personalities don't just change, nor should they have to. If that's the case, there was only one solution.

"Come with me."

Isabel grabbed Xander's hand and led him out of the amusement park, heading toward a nearby mall.

"What are we doing here? Don't feel like staying at the park anymore? Shopping? Sure, buy whatever you like," Xander said, perfectly fine with either activity as long as Isabel stayed by his side.

He preferred the mall. It allowed him to spend money on her.

As her husband, he believed that earning money was primarily so she could enjoy it.

For weeks, he'd been trying to get Isabel to accept his gestures, but she always refused, insisting she had her own money.

Now that the opportunity had finally presented itself, he was more than eager.

"It's not for me. It's for you. I'm buying you some clothes."

into

at guys in their early twenties. Some pieces looked so childish that even Samuel wouldn't wear them. As Xander mulled over this, Isabel's eyes lit

This style is so similar

the overalls in her hands, then at her outfit. Aside from some slight differences in detail, the style and

against Xander, sizing him up. "Why don't you try

you want me

without him

He couldn't fathom wearing anything from

yellow just fine. She was young, cute, and

he was 30. His wardrobe consisted almost entirely of black, white,

now she wanted him to try something as blindingly bright as this?

to turn and leave, Isabel

on, just try it.

will," Xander replied, dead serious as he stared

any longer. Xander's sheer resistance to the idea was

felt as though, if she asked for the stars in the sky, he would somehow find a way to bring them

Even when he was allergic to dogs, he'd agreed to let her keep Yolkie. But now, seeing how desperately he wanted

on, please?" Isabel pleaded, her wide, innocent eyes blinking up at him as if she were a little girl

simply found it amusing. Watching Xander's discomfort was too entertaining to pass

brow twitched as

the overly cheerful

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entire being radiated resistance. But then his gaze shifted downward, landing on Isabel's hand gripping his arm and her expectant eyes

himself regretting every decision that had

done yet?" Isabel teased, rapping lightly

a deep breath, resigned, and quickly changed into

his face was an unreadable mix of emotions. He avoided

her hands in delight. Dressed like this, Xander no longer looked like

to his slicked-back hair, the epitome of a

with a suit and tie, it clashed terribly with the vibrant, youthful outfit he