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

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

so similar

Aside from some slight differences

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

you want me to

"no" without him needing to say a

fathom wearing anything from this store-least of all the bright yellow

pull off pastel yellow just fine.

was 30. His wardrobe consisted almost entirely

to try something as blindingly bright as this? The idea was

Xander was about to turn

just try it. It

Xander replied, dead serious as

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

Xander for so long, Isabel had gotten used to his unwavering indulgence. He spoiled her so much it often felt as though, if she asked for the stars in the sky, he would somehow find a way to

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

pleaded, her wide, innocent eyes blinking up at him as if she were a little

being pushy out of malice or stubbornness-she simply found it amusing. Watching Xander's discomfort was too entertaining to

brow twitched as

the overly cheerful

าวน

shifted downward,

regretting every decision that

lightly on the door,

out a deep breath, resigned, and quickly changed into

unreadable mix of emotions. He avoided even

Dressed like this, Xander no longer looked

Her gaze moved up to his slicked-back hair, the epitome of a mature,

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