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

Some pieces looked so childish that even Samuel wouldn't wear them.

is so similar

then at her outfit. Aside from some slight differences in

"Why don't you try them on? You'd look so much

you want me

face practically screamed "no" without him needing to

he said, clearly uninterested. He couldn't fathom wearing anything from

pull off pastel yellow just fine.

consisted almost entirely of black,

now she wanted him to try something as blindingly bright as

turn and leave, Isabel tugged

on, just try it.

will," Xander replied, dead serious as he stared at

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

indulgence. He spoiled her so much it often felt as though, if she asked

Even when he was allergic to dogs, he'd agreed to let her keep Yolkie. But now, seeing

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

wasn't being pushy out of malice or stubbornness-she simply found it amusing. Watching Xander's discomfort was too entertaining

twitched as

at the overly

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the clothes. His entire being radiated resistance. But then his gaze shifted downward, landing on

every decision that had led him to the

yet?" Isabel teased, rapping lightly on the door,

resigned, and quickly changed into the

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

Dressed like this, Xander no longer looked like he was in his thirties-he could easily pass for someone in

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

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