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."

led Xander into a

place. The styles were far too juvenile clearly aimed at guys in their early twenties. Some pieces looked so childish

is so similar to what I'm

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

overalls up against Xander, sizing him up. "Why don't you try them on? You'd look so much

you want me

face practically screamed "no" without him needing to say a

uninterested. He couldn't fathom wearing anything from this store-least

pastel yellow just fine. She was young, cute, and

consisted almost entirely of black, white, and gray,

as

turn

try it. It

Xander replied, dead serious as

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

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

when she saw Xander flat-out reject her for the first time, she was taken aback Even when he was allergic to dogs, he'd agreed to let her keep Yolkie. But now, seeing how desperately

eyes blinking up at him as if she were a little

found

brow twitched as

at the

าวน

downward, landing on Isabel's hand gripping his arm and her expectant

that's how he found himself regretting every decision that had

done yet?" Isabel teased, rapping lightly on the door, barely containing

breath, resigned, and

the door opened, his face was an unreadable mix of emotions. He avoided even glancing at the

so much younger already!" Isabel said, clapping her hands in delight. Dressed like this, Xander no longer looked like he was in his thirties-he could easily pass for someone

off. Her gaze moved up to his slicked-back hair,

suit and tie, it clashed terribly