Chapter 6
Marcus pinched the spot between his brows, his expression darkening as he exhaled deeply and ended the call. He would return to Centrolis—but not yet. Doing so now would only alert the people who believed he had died in the plane crash, giving them more opportunities to conspire and find crueler ways to harm him.
“Boba or grass jelly? Which one do you like?”
The question broke Marcus from his thoughts. He looked up to meet Cordelia’s bright, sparkling eyes. She smiled at him, holding a cup of milk tea in her hands, as sweet as the drink itself.
“What’s got you looking like that?” Cordelia asked, noticing his grim expression. “You don’t look quite—”
“I’m fine,” Marcus cut her off, his voice colder than usual. It irked him that someone had seen through his exterior so easily.
He turned his back to her, his tone frosty. “You have one. I don’t like sweet things.”
Cordelia froze, holding both cups of milk tea. She stared at him for a moment before quietly walking up behind him, biting her lip. She stayed a respectful distance away, unwilling to get too close. It felt as though there was a barrier around him, a cold wall she couldn’t breach, no matter how near she stood.
The second day after their wedding passed in an ordinary fashion. Marcus gave Cordelia the bedroom to herself, choosing to sleep on the couch outside. There was only one duvet, which she kept for herself, leaving him with just a thin sheet.
Cordelia felt guilty about it. She lingered by the bedroom door, torn between wanting to offer him the room and realizing it might be too soon. “You can sleep in the room too…” the words hovered on the tip of her tongue but never came out. Maybe Marcus was right. She needed time to adjust to the fact that she was now married.
A small smile tugged at her lips as she let her head fall. People often said Marcus was cold and difficult to communicate with, always getting into fights. But from what she had experienced, he didn’t seem so bad. At least, he had shown her enough respect and tolerance.
On the third day after their wedding, Cordelia was filled with anxious anticipation. It was customary for the bride to visit her family on this day, and her heart raced as she thought about it. For most couples, this was a joyous occasion—bringing sweet treats home, enjoying a hearty family lunch, and returning before sunset. For Cordelia, however, it was more about asking for money.
Her father had promised a large monetary wedding gift, but only if she married in Yelena’s place. That money was supposed to cover her mother’s medical expenses and her younger brother’s tuition fees.
Yet, three days had passed since the wedding, and no one had mentioned the promised gift. Cordelia felt the weight of this silence, and she knew she had to ask for it herself. But she couldn’t take Marcus with her—if she did, everything would be exposed. Who knew how he would react?
“Marcus, I…”
She paused, trying to think of a convincing excuse. It took some time, but finally, she managed to swallow her nerves and forced out the words: “I’ve made breakfast. Come have some.”
Marcus, who had been working out in the front yard, felt a corner of his icy demeanor thaw as her soft, sweet voice reached him.
Inside the small house, Cordelia had made scones, fresh cream, and jam. As Marcus stepped inside, he immediately noticed the change in atmosphere. The place, once dim and uninspiring, now felt warmer, brighter—more like a home. The sunlight filtered through the windows, and everything felt different, more welcoming, thanks to Cordelia’s touch.
A small smile tugged at Marcus’s lips as he took a seat. Across from him, Cordelia seemed lost in thought, her mind weighed down by something she wasn’t sharing.
He considered her for a moment before speaking. “You should visit your family today, right?”
Cordelia jolted at the unexpected question. She bit her lip, hesitating. Her gaze dropped, and she remained silent, not quite meeting his eyes.