ek L

asleep on the couch. How on earth did she end up in bed? The last thing she remembered was eat

robably overthinking things. Maybe she'd fallen asleep

orning battle with herself," Mar

at the sound a

e muttered, sitti

e bed?" she asked, i

ss," he replied with a shrug,

ed. "I don't

ing. I carried you to the bed. You really need

"And what did you do after

rowed slightly. "What were you thinking? I'm no saint, like you said,

u would," she co

, right? Yesterday, I walked into the room and saw you on the floor. You must've rolled off the

d her, yet all she'd done was accuse and doubt him. She knew she was a

r the things I said yesterday, and this morning too. I'm sorry. No one deserv

to see the smug expression she was

o thank me," Marion said, a huge grin f

"Marion, don't you think you're taking this marriage too serio

ut it could mean something

for your jokes," she muttered, pushing t

ion was almost theatrical, and if he were honest, he found it entertaining. But beneath that tough

ng to wear. She wanted distance. From him. From this situation. Fro

ing his arms over his head

wer than usual. "Breakfast will be ready soon. C

l, her back to him, waiting until she

ing, infuriating one moment and gentle the next. That whiplash of emotions

before her, too quiet for such a large house. When she reached the staircase, she paused, her hand resting on the

arion seated at the head of the table, casually scrolling t

to join me," he re

ful tone and sat in the

?" she asked, reaching

. Emma's out shopping. We've got the whole house to ou

muttered, takin

fruit. Aliyah muttered a soft thank you before digging in. She was starving an

usual, didn't la

fter than before. "This marriage doesn't have to be a war zon

om her plate, her f

hoed, arching a b

shrug. "

ecause the past isn

ning back in his chair. "Married. Livi

e she caught herself. N

muttered, retur

that

e'd found an old bench nestled beneath a blooming hibiscus tree and sat

's invisible cousin, now she was Marion Brews' wife. Not by love, but by cir

s approaching made he

you here," Marion sai

e everywhere," she repl

"I just wanted to t

up, finally m

you should know, she's not exactly a fan of sudden changes.

flatly. "Thanks

was a

," Marion added, soundin

d. Not the cocky guy who teased her endlessly, not the

rion. But don't expec

alked away, leaving