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

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

style is so similar to

the overalls in her hands, then at her outfit. Aside from some slight

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

me

face practically screamed "no" without him needing to say

couldn't fathom wearing anything from this store-least of all the bright yellow

yellow just fine. She was young, cute, and

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

wanted him to try something as blindingly

as Xander was about to turn and leave, Isabel tugged on

it.

will," Xander replied, dead serious

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

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

dogs, 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

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

out of malice or stubbornness-she simply found it

brow twitched

the overly

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

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

Isabel teased, rapping lightly on the door, barely

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

his face was an unreadable mix of emotions.

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

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

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