She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 78

Late that night, the driver dropped Luther back at the apartment.

Luther shrugged off his overcoat, casually tossing it onto the sofa, and took a look around the room. A bouquet of white calla lilies sat on the dining table, right next to an adorable light blue sippy cup with two little handles.

Scattered across the sofa were a few of a woman's belongings.

Hilda's usual handbag.

A dark gray Louis Vuitton cashmere scarf.

Luther slowly sat down and picked up her bag. It was just a basic piece, hardly fitting for Mrs. Sanford. Now that he actually planned on building a long-term life with Hilda, he couldn't have her looking so modest. The time and energy she poured into this family meant she deserved nothing but the absolute best.

Luther dialed a number.

Lori was quite surprised.

She had incredibly sharp instincts.

She could pretty much guess exactly what Luther was planning for his life now.

—He had chosen Hilda and Annie.

Exhausted as she was, Lori couldn't help but feel happy for Hilda. She smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Mr. Sanford. First thing tomorrow morning, Mrs. Sanford will have a closet full of designer bags. I'll also curate some outfits and shoes from a few top-tier brands tailored to her style and have them delivered. As for the jewelry, I'll personally retrieve it from the bank vault and transfer it to the safe here, so Mrs. Sanford can manage it herself."

Luther gave a soft hum of approval.

—That settled it.

He hung up and tossed his phone onto the coffee table.

Luther first went to the nursery to check on Annie.

The little girl was sprawled out sideways on her pillow like a chubby little calf, looking ridiculously cute.

Luther brushed her hair from her forehead and leaned down to kiss her cheek. Then he stood up, glanced around the room, and even helped pack her little backpack. This was his first time being a father, let alone to a four-year-old girl. It was entirely new to him, but it made his heart soften in a way he hadn't thought possible. Half the reason he chose Hilda was because of Annie.

After checking on the kid, he headed back to the master bedroom.

Hilda was already in bed.

Luther took a quick shower. When he slid into bed, he honestly didn't have any ulterior motives. When a man is truly exhausted, his drive usually takes a backseat. But he quickly noticed that the woman in his arms was slightly stiff, her breathing just a fraction too fast. He immediately knew she wasn't asleep; she just didn't want to talk to him.

By the time he lay back down, his sleepiness had mostly faded.

Hilda was curled up beside him, her skin radiating a sweet scent.

Luther pulled her flush against his chest from behind and murmured in a low voice, "I made it clear to her. We're strictly boss and subordinate now. We won't be seeing each other privately anymore. Hilda, we might never have some earth-shattering romance, but I will be a faithful husband to you."

In the dead of night, even the most unfeeling woman

would find her resolve wavering to hear the boy she once loved say something like that.

Her heart softened despite herself.

Luther buried his face in the crook of her neck, pressing gentle kisses against her skin. There was no lust driving him this time; it was just the quiet intimacy of two partners.

Hilda didn't respond.

But she didn't push him away, either.

She only felt a hollow ache in her chest. The fairy tale she had desperately chased after in her youth was now being handed to her on a silver platter. Yet, she no longer wanted it. And worse, she didn't dare to take it.