Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 873

Chapter 873 Gardenias in October

Chapter 873 Gardenias in October

Claudia glanced back at Harold.

He simply smiled.

She’d picked up that something felt unusual almost immediately.

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When she pushed open the door to the study, for a moment she thought she’d stepped back into that le farmhouse upstate.

Harold had brought over every single sketch and draft she’d made in her old study and pinned them up on the corkboard wall, exactly the way they used to be.

He’d even had the room custom built to match hers down to the smallest detail. Major furnishings like th desk and bookshelves were identical, right down to little knick–knacks on the shelves and the ceramic mug she always used for her daily brew.

Every corner held a memory.

Back when her grandfather was still around, the two of them would often lose themselves in their work, pencils in hand, late into the night.

Her eyes drifted toward the few vases of gardenias placed around the room. They were the hydroponic kind, and some petals were already beginning to droop.

October wasn’t gardenia season. Unless you really knew what you were doing, they hardly ever bloomed this time of year.

“I wasn’t sure you’d have time to care for them,” Harold said, his voice soft. “And I’m not great with plants myself. So I went with the water–grown ones–less maintenance for you.”

Claudia smiled faintly, her gaze settling on two bottles of gardenia–scented ink on the desk.

“Actually,” she said quietly, “it was Grandpa who loved gardenias. Not me.”

Harold stilled. He hadn’t considered that.

But Claudia turned, took his work–roughened hands in hers, and looked up at him. “But I do now.”

A slow smile spread across Harold’s face before he drew her into a warm, firm embrace.

Zander was curled in the corner of the room, arms wrapped tightly around a large white plush goose. A light cotton throw was draped over him, covering his middle, leaving only his tousled head and small limbs poking out.

He always slept more soundly whenever Claudia was nearby.

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Chapter 873 Gardenias in October

And Claudia was gently roused by Harold.

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He kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, letting his lips linger near the corner of her mouth before pulling back just enough to take in her sleeping face, his expression soft.

His fingers traced her cheek, then combed gently through her hair.

He couldn’t seem to look away.

Then his gaze dipped to the delicate curve of her collarbone, visible above the neckline of her nightgown. He leaned down and pressed a light kiss there.

Claudia stirred in her sleep, then blinked awake to find Harold’s head bent close.

A tickling warmth lingered on her neck, and she felt the rough brush of denim against her leg.

“Did I wake you?” Harold murmured, not looking up but sensing the quickening rhythm of her heartbeat

Claudia gave him a light, half–awake nudge.

Harold didn’t want to move, but he was mindful of the little one sleeping across the room.

“Any chance we can get him to start using the kids‘ bedroom?” he asked lowly. He’d had the room across the hall set up just the other day, while they were arranging the study.

But Zander always wanted to sleep in here with Claudia.

Before they brought him home, the boy used to bunk with Harold. Once he discovered Claudia, though, he’d stuck to her side.

Claudia looked up at the man braced above her, arms caging her gently.

“He’s only three, Harold.”

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“So? His room’s right across the hall. If you’re with him every night, what does that leave for me?”

There was a touch of genuine frustration in his tone–he wasn’t thrilled about spending the prime of his life sleeping alone.

Claudia almost laughed. “You’re seriously jealous of a toddler.”

He lowered himself carefully, resting most of his weight on his forearms so he wouldn’t crush her

Watching him, Claudia thought he looked like an overgrown kid himself sometimes.

“Alright,” she said, smiling as she reached up to ruffle his hair. “I’ll try.”

Just then, Zander began to stir. He crawled sleepily across the mattress and plopped down next to Claudia.

She slipped an arm around him and smoothed his hair, just as she’d done with Harold.

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Chapter 873 Gardenias in October

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“Zander,” Harold said, giving the boy a gentle poke. “Go check if your geese need food.”

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Zander sat up instantly, clutching his plush goose. “Okay!”

“And close the door on your way,” Harold added casually.

Zander shuffled out, dragging his goose behind him, and pulled the door almost shut–leaving just a crack

open.

From the hallway, Megan’s cheerful voice floated in. “Morning, Zander!”

Harold’s eyes flicked toward the door before returning to Claudia. He bent until his forehead rested against hers, then freed the top button of his shirt with one hand.

His breath warmed the sensitive skin of her neck. Claudia held still, feeling a cool draft brush her should

“You have such lovely shoulders,” he said quietly, his ears tinged with red. He dropped a soft kiss there, and Claudia shivered slightly.

Harold’s throat worked. He drew a steadying breath and forced himself to sit up.

From the edge of the bed, he watched the flush spread across her cheeks. He’d barely touched her, hadn’t even let his hands wander.

“Time to get up,” he said, his morning voice even rougher than usual. He swallowed hard.

Claudia sat up slowly, straightening her nightclothes, her eyes darting toward him once more before she looked away.

Harold stood and turned his back, taking a long moment to collect himself.

“Auntie?” Zander’s small voice came through the gap in the door.

Claudia slipped quickly into her slippers and headed for the bathroom.

Harold let out a quiet laugh, then walked into the walk–in closet to change.

As he reached for his shirt, his eyes caught on a gift box tucked far back on the shelf.

He released another long, controlled breath.

By the time Harold emerged fully dressed, Claudia was just stepping out of the bathroom, her face freshly washed.

“I’m going out with Henrietta later,” she told him, meeting his eyes–then hers dipped downward, just for

an instant.

Harold caught that glance and moved toward her, a slow smile forming on his lips.

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