The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 365

Looking at Yancey’s handsome face, Wisteria heard herself say the words as if in a trance. There were still droplets of water on his skin, and without his glasses, his features were so gentle it was heartbreaking. Over the years, she had looked into the eyes of so many men, but his were the only ones she felt she could gaze into forever.

“What way?” he asked earnestly.

Wisteria’s heart began to beat faster.

The way was… for them to get married. If she and Yancey were married, she would have a legitimate reason to leave the Huxleys and escape her foster parents’ guardianship. That was precisely why the Huxleys had always gone to great lengths to sabotage her relationships and potential marriages.

She had thought about it over and over. In all of Havencrest City, the Covington family was probably the only one the Huxleys wouldn’t dare to cross. That made Yancey a perfect candidate for a husband. The Huxleys had recognized this long ago, which was why they had always been so wary of him.

They had planted a seed of doubt in her mind when she was young, convincing her that a privileged young master like Yancey would never stay by her side forever. Trying to cling to the Covingtons would only lead to her own humiliation.

Wisteria appeared tough, but she was a coward at heart, especially when it came to love. If Yancey hadn't been so good to her, if he hadn't given her even the slightest reason to develop real feelings, she might have gotten together with him long ago.

“Why did you stop?” Yancey pressed, waiting for an answer. “Is it something I can help with? You only have to ask, and I’ll do everything I can.”

She believed him. She knew that if she asked, even if it was just for a sham marriage, he would agree. But his gaze was too gentle, and the words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down. The bond they had shared since childhood was stronger than she realized. Time and time again, Yancey had charged into battle for her, even knowing he could never fill the void in her heart.

“Wisteria…”

“That message Ramona sent me last time… was it real?”

Yancey froze, taking a moment to realize she was talking about the confession Ramona had sent on his behalf. But… Ramona had unsent it! How had she seen it?

A flush crept up his neck, and he quickly looked down, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “That… that was a misunderstanding. Ramona thought I… anyway, it was a mistake. Just pretend you never saw it.”