Chapter 20
Before Cordelia had the chance to reject the suggestion, Marcus had already pulled her out of the house. She remained silent throughout the journey, her mind busy calculating what kind of meal they could afford on her meager salary.
She glanced at Marcus out of the corner of her eye. He had been broke and struggling in the past, so he probably wasn’t familiar with the hotels or restaurants in Jangasas. Given his likely budget, she figured street food might be the best option. There were stalls that offered all-you-can-eat staples, which would definitely fill him up.
Cordelia couldn’t help but smile slightly, her head lowered. Since their marriage, she had been frugal, always choosing the cheapest groceries when shopping. But she’d once heard an old servant of the Jenners family say that the biggest fear for young couples was the loss of passion. Sometimes, it could be helpful to add a little romance to keep things exciting.
That’s when she decided that today, for once, they could afford to be carefree. She would treat him to a meal outside.
However, when Cordelia finally looked up again, she realized they had arrived at the busiest street and were now standing right in front of Regalia Hotel.
“We’ll eat here,” Marcus said casually, as though he were picking vegetables from the market.
Cordelia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What did you say?”
“I said, we’ll eat here,” Marcus repeated, his voice full of amusement. “It looks decent.”
Cordelia’s breath caught in her throat, and she instinctively clutched her purse. Regalia was the most expensive five-star hotel in Jangasas. She had never even dared to glance at it as she passed by. Her modest salary wouldn’t even cover an appetizer here!
Marcus tugged her inside, where servers bowed politely from both sides, and the manager approached them with a professional smile. “Welcome.”
“Marcus!” Cordelia tugged at his arm, panic rising in her chest.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
“We…” She opened her mouth but couldn’t bring herself to say it. She wanted to say they couldn’t afford it, to suggest somewhere cheaper, or even to remind him that people like them had no business eating in such a fancy place. But the words never left her mouth.
Instead, she looked at Marcus, remembering how he had given her all his precious family heirlooms. How could she be stingy with her husband when he didn’t treat her like an outsider?
Taking a deep breath, Cordelia forced a smile. “Let’s go in.”
Marcus was taken aback. Her response completely threw him off. “We’re really going in?”
“Of course!” Cordelia grinned and leaned closer to him, almost snuggling against his side. “Since you like it here, we’ll eat here. It’s just a meal, after all. Don’t worry, your wife can still feed you!”
Marcus blinked in surprise. He had intentionally picked this place, fully expecting Cordelia to offer up excuses. He thought she might buy some cheaper groceries and suggest they eat at home instead. His plan was to tease her and push her into admitting that she wasn’t Yelena, but a substitute. However, seeing her enthusiasm now made him feel guilty. Maybe he had taken it too far.
“Why don’t we—” He began to suggest, but before he could finish, Cordelia was already dragging him toward the entrance. They were seated by a window, giving them a perfect view of the night cityscape.
Cordelia ordered two dishes—nothing too expensive, just what she could afford. She made sure to tell the server that they only needed small portions, enough for Marcus to feel satisfied.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Marcus asked, his gaze piercing through her.
Cordelia smiled, but her eyes avoided his. “I’m not very hungry. My appetite’s a little off tonight.”
“But you complained about me not cooking at home,” he pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
Cordelia fell silent, her expression betraying her unease.
Marcus set his utensils down. His deep eyes seemed to see right through her. After a brief pause, he leaned in, his voice soft but insistent. “It’s been some time since we got married. Don’t you have anything you want to tell me?”