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 a

their early twenties. Some pieces looked so childish that even Samuel wouldn't wear them. As Xander

so similar

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

don't

me to

without him needing to say

fathom wearing anything from this store-least of

yellow just fine. She was young, cute, and

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

him to try something as blindingly bright as

to turn and leave, Isabel tugged on his

it. It won't kill

dead serious

hold it in any longer. Xander's sheer resistance to the idea

unwavering indulgence. He spoiled her so much it often felt as though, if she asked for the stars in the sky,

he'd agreed to let her keep Yolkie. But now, seeing how desperately he wanted to leave this store, it was clear just how much he detested

pleaded, her wide, innocent eyes blinking up at him as if she were a little girl begging her dad for a new

stubbornness-she simply found

twitched

at the overly cheerful

าวน

shifted downward, landing on Isabel's hand gripping

himself regretting every decision that had led him

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

breath, resigned, and

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

Xander no longer looked like he was in his thirties-he could

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

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