Wrong Marriage and Sweet Love

“Who dares to post it?!” Chris immediately stood up, ready to tear down every poster of his wife plastered across the streets, making it clear that it was not up for public display. Last time, when the Capital posted an advertisement featuring Nina with a plunging V-neckline that nearly revealed more than intended, Chris had flown overnight from Alvonia, tearing the poster down himself and sternly warning the organizers. He had stopped just short of physical violence.

“Look how domineering Chris is,” Juanita said with a roll of her eyes, teasing him about protecting his wife so fiercely.

At that moment, Nina tugged at Chris, “I won’t do posters, just text promotions.”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“That’s more like it,” Chris finally relaxed a bit, commanding, “Only text promotions are allowed.”

Juanita shrugged and chuckled, “Alright, your wife, your rules.”

Joyce watched the couple bicker with a warm smile. She knew that Chris and Nina had already registered their marriage in Alvonia and that it wouldn’t be long before Nina graduated and moved permanently to be with Chris.

“Alright, ease up and have some water,” Karl pulled Juanita close and handed her a drink, overhearing her spirited conversation.

“You haven’t fully recovered yet, don’t exhaust yourself,” he cautioned her.

“I’m fine now. It was just a minor issue, stop bringing it up,” Juanita replied, a bit annoyed.

“Preterm birth is no minor issue. If I had been any later, you might not have survived,” Karl frowned deeply.

“Enough, you’ve mentioned this hundreds of times. Everyone knows. Can we drop it, please?” Juanita’s smile faded, realizing this topic might haunt her forever because of Karl.

“I’m begging you, let’s not bring it up again after today,” she pleaded, looking genuinely distressed.

“Fine, I’ll stop. But you need to be more careful in the future,” Karl said sternly.

“Sure,” Juanita grimaced.

Joyce observed them, her smile brightening. After a period apart, their affection for each other had only grown stronger.

“It’s rare that Vicki and Felix aren’t here,” Karl noted, scanning the surroundings.

“Yes, Vicki usually loves these gatherings. Recently, her pregnancy has made it difficult for her to travel, and Mr. Saunders likely doesn’t approve of her flying,” Joyce explained, then suddenly stopped herself from revealing too much about Vicki’s complaints regarding her restrictions.

“What else did he restrict?” Juanita asked curiously.

Joyce shook her head, “Too many complaints to remember.”

Juanita teased Karl, “Wow, Mr. Saunders is even more controlling than you.”

Karl didn’t respond but suddenly asked, “Mr. Warner, have you seen Christian after that incident?”

Luther nodded slightly. Christian had disappeared into the crowd, never to be seen again.

“Felix and Vicki had a grand wedding, and Christian didn’t attend. He only sent a wedding gift,” Luther said, suggesting it was time to move on. “No news is good news. Let him be.”

Karl agreed.

The conversation shifted as Kane approached with the children.

“Mummy!” Anderson came running over, followed by Iris and a little girl named Fair.

Nina, curious, asked, “Who is this?”

“Fair, a child adopted by Justin. She’s a math prodigy,” Juanita introduced.

“Oh, she’s beautiful and looks so lively,” Nina admired.

Fair greeted everyone politely, her smile winning their hearts.

Juanita and Joyce discussed their families and plans, while Karl and Luther reminisced about past events and pondered future prospects.

As the gathering wound down, everyone prepared to leave, reluctant to part ways. Karl, Juanita, and Mia left first due to his urgent work. Cecelia took Wilson and Cullen home, and Chris decided to return to Alvonia early the next morning, wanting to spend the night with Nina.

Kane, feeling like a third wheel, made an excuse to leave.

Only Joyce and Luther remained.

“Finally, some peace,” Luther embraced Joyce, suggesting they stay another night before returning to her place.

The atmosphere shifted as snow began to fall, surprising Joyce with its suddenness and beauty. The scene turned magical as they watched the snowflakes blend into the night, their moment of intimacy shielded from the world.

“Shall we go back to the room?” Luther whispered after a long kiss, and Joyce nodded shyly, her cheeks flushed with warmth.

They walked hand in hand, the snow painting a serene backdrop to their quiet departure, leaving behind a trail of soft footprints in the snowy night.

As Joyce and Luther strolled towards their villa, the gentle snow continued to weave its quiet spell around them. The world seemed to hush, and even the crisp sound of their footsteps seemed to soften under the thickening blanket of snow.

Unexpectedly, Joyce paused, a sharp pang in her stomach causing her to wince and bend slightly.

“What’s wrong?” Luther’s voice was laced with concern as he quickly wrapped his arms around her for support. The memories of her previous ailments made him particularly sensitive to her discomfort.

“It’s nothing serious,” Joyce reassured him, straightening up with a slight grimace. “Just a bit of stomach cramps, probably from the cold juice earlier. It’s passed now.”

However, today was not just any ordinary day. It was the day of the grand coronation in Rohomes, an event that was being broadcast worldwide, yet deliberately ignored by their group. This was an unspoken agreement among them, a collective choice to distance themselves from painful memories associated with Rohomes.

Joyce patted Luther’s hand gently, signaling that she was alright. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing. Let’s not think about it anymore.”

Luther, although relieved, frowned slightly. “Promise me you’ll take care of yourself more. I’ve been too lenient.”

“Of course, I’ll listen to you,” Joyce replied, her tone light and teasing as she leaned into his embrace.

They continued their walk to the villa, the landscape around them serene and almost otherworldly under the gentle glow of the street lamps. The snow, now falling more heavily, created a picturesque scene straight out of a winter fairy tale.

As they approached the villa, the last traces of daylight had disappeared, leaving only the soft illumination of the lights and the white, pristine snow that seemed to cleanse everything it touched.

“Just look at this,” Joyce murmured in awe, her eyes sparkling with the reflection of the snowflakes. “It’s like a dream.”

Luther smiled, his eyes softening as he looked at her, “Everything is more beautiful with you in it.”

He leaned in, and their lips met once more, the kiss a warm contrast to the cool touch of the snowflakes melting on their skin. The world around them seemed to stand still, the only sound the whisper of snow as it carpeted the ground.

Finally breaking the kiss, Luther whispered, suggesting they head inside, “Shall we find our warmth inside?”

Blushing, Joyce nodded, and they entered the villa hand in hand, leaving the cold outside to its silent symphony of falling snow. Inside, the promise of a quiet evening together awaited them, a perfect end to a day marked by the beauty of nature and the deepening of bonds.

As they disappeared into the villa, the snow continued to fall, blanketing the world in white, a silent witness to the moments of love and tenderness shared under its watchful gaze. The night deepened, the lights in the villa glowed warmly against the cold, and the snow painted everything it touched with a grace that promised a peaceful night.