My Beloved Has Risen from Death’s Embrace

Chapter 29

Samuel frowned as he looked at Xanthea, swaddled in layers despite the scorching summer heat. “Xan, why on earth are you wrapped up like it’s winter? And that scarf, really?”

Bombarded with questions, Xanthea felt her head spin.

I

“Well, can I just go upstairs and drop off my stuff first?”

Without waiting for an answer, she dashed upstairs, yanked off her scarf, and grimaced at the twin ‘love bites’ Orion had left on her neck. Were they from a dog? What would parents think if they saw?

a her

She grabbed her concealer and worked diligently until the marks were barely visible, then slipped on a turtleneck just to be sure. Satisfied that no one could see the marks, she opened her door.

Matthew, who had been waiting right outside, nearly stumbled in.

“Matt?”

just about to knock. Where were you tonight?

wanted to tell you first, Matt. But I saw you leaving with Miranda, and when I tried to catch up, I got mobbed by fans. My dress almost got ripped, and it was only when my uncle showed

don’t get me wrong. I didn’t leave with Miranda on purpose. She was upset, and I

she hadn’t seen them

just sad I couldn’t celebrate

He cursed himself for his indecisiveness with Miranda, which almost

previous

“I’m

to celebrate with you today. I even bought flowers. And you, you were so stunning on stage tonight, so charming, totally different from

filled with passion and admiration, didn’t escape Xanthea’s notice. She chuckled inwardly; he really could

Then I’ll sing just for you,

“Please do!”

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flitted downstairs. “Mom, did you make all this delicious

himself to wait a little longer. Soon, he thought, they would be engaged, and she would truly

he considered engagements merely a formality, now he couldn’t wait for

echo through the mansion, scolded gently,