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."

Xander into

and shelves, feeling out of place. The styles were far too juvenile clearly aimed 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 up. She hurried over to a display and grabbed a

is so similar to

the overalls in her hands, then at her outfit. Aside

sizing him up. "Why don't you try them on? You'd look so much younger

me to

screamed "no" without him

said, clearly uninterested. He couldn't fathom wearing anything from this store-least of all the bright yellow overalls Isabel was

off pastel yellow just fine. She was

entirely of black, white, and

try something as

about to turn and

try it.

will," Xander replied, dead serious as

laughing, unable to hold it in any longer. Xander's sheer resistance to the idea was simply

it often felt as though, if she asked for the stars

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

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

simply found it amusing. Watching Xander's discomfort was

brow twitched

the overly

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His entire being radiated resistance. But then his gaze shifted downward,

found himself regretting every decision that had led

Isabel teased, rapping lightly on the

let out a deep breath, resigned, and quickly changed into the

an unreadable mix of emotions. He avoided

said, clapping her hands in delight. Dressed like this, Xander no longer looked like he was in his

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

suit and tie, it clashed terribly with the