Chapter\u00a0750<\/p>\n
Noah\u00a0leaned\u00a0back,\u00a0swirling\u00a0his\u00a0wine\u00a0lazily.<\/p>\n
+15\u00a0BONUS<\/p>\n
\u201cInteresting\u00a0that\u00a0nobody\u00a0even\u00a0knew\u00a0about\u00a0her\u00a0until\u00a0recently,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0said,\u00a0his\u00a0eyes\u00a0shifting\u00a0to\u00a0me\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0to\u00a0Judy.\u00a0\u201cNo\u00a0announcement\u2026\u00a0no\u00a0Luna\u00a0ceremony.\u00a0Keeping\u00a0your\u00a0mate\u00a0a\u00a0dirty\u00a0little\u00a0secret?\u201d<\/p>\n
Judy\u2019s\u00a0eyes\u00a0flashed\u00a0gold\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0briefest\u00a0heartbeat.\u00a0I\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0even\u00a0sure\u00a0if\u00a0anyone\u00a0else\u00a0noticed\u00a0it\u2026\u00a0But\u00a0I\u00a0did.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur\u00a0mating\u00a0is\u00a0new,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0explained\u00a0calmly;\u00a0I\u00a0knew\u00a0I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0have\u00a0to\u00a0explain\u00a0myself,\u00a0but\u00a0for\u00a0Judy\u2019s\u00a0peace\u00a0of\u00a0mind,\u00a0I\u00a0felt\u00a0it\u00a0needed\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0said.\u00a0I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0want\u00a0her\u00a0to\u00a0think,\u00a0or have\u00a0Noah\u00a0put\u00a0it\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0head,\u00a0that\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0hiding\u00a0or\u00a0ashamed\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0in\u00a0any\u00a0way,\u00a0because\u00a0that\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0be\u00a0further\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0truth.\u00a0She\u00a0might\u00a0be\u00a0young,\u00a0but\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0mine.\u00a0\u201cThere\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0an\u00a0announcement\u00a0soon\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0wedding\u00a0later\u00a0this\u00a0year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u00a0many\u00a0months\u00a0pregnant are\u00a0you?\u201d\u00a0Selene\u00a0asked\u00a0suddenly,\u00a0changing\u00a0the\u00a0subject\u00a0and\u00a0clearing\u00a0the<\/p>\n
tension\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0air.<\/p>\n
\u201c4,\u201d\u00a0Judy\u00a0answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo\u00a0you\u00a0already\u00a0know\u00a0the\u00a0gender?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA\u00a0boy,\u201d\u00a0Judy replied\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0small\u00a0smile,\u00a0her\u00a0hand immediately\u00a0going\u00a0to\u00a0her\u00a0belly.<\/p>\n
\u201cA\u00a0heir,\u201d\u00a0Zachary\u00a0said with\u00a0a nod.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0sure\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0very\u00a0excited\u00a0to\u00a0have a\u00a0heir\u00a0for\u00a0your\u00a0foundation.\u201d\u00a01<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0already\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0heir,\u00a0but\u00a0it\u2019ll\u00a0be\u00a0nice\u00a0having\u00a0another,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said\u00a0bluntly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u00a0already\u00a0have\u00a0an\u00a0heir?\u201d\u00a0Zachary\u00a0asked,\u00a0his\u00a0brows\u00a0raising.\u00a0\u201cI\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0aware.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u00a0my\u00a0son\u00a0Matthew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0see,\u201d\u00a0Zachary\u00a0said,\u00a0his\u00a0eyes\u00a0shifting from\u00a0Judy\u00a0to\u00a0me.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0assuming\u00a0the\u00a0mother\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0your\u00a0mate?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0any\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0business,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said\u00a0a\u00a0little\u00a0too\u00a0sharply.\u00a0None\u00a0of\u00a0this was\u00a0their\u00a0business;\u00a0I\u00a0wanted\u00a0to\u00a0find\u00a0out\u00a0why\u00a0the\u00a0fuck\u00a0they\u00a0decided\u00a0to\u00a0invite\u00a0me\u00a0to dinner.\u00a0Surely it\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0to\u00a0talk about\u00a0Judy\u00a0or\u00a0my<\/p>\n
children.<\/p>\n
We\u00a0continued\u00a0to\u00a0eat;\u00a0they\u00a0made\u00a0no\u00a0more\u00a0mention\u00a0of\u00a0Matthew\u00a0or\u00a0Judy\u2019s\u00a0due\u00a0date,\u00a0much\u00a0to\u00a0my\u00a0relief.\u00a0Judy\u00a0seemed\u00a0to\u00a0relax\u00a0a\u00a0little\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0seat\u00a0now\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0attention\u00a0was\u00a0off\u00a0her.\u00a0Noah\u00a0kept\u00a0stealing\u00a0glances\u00a0at\u00a0Judy,\u00a0which\u00a0made my\u00a0blood\u00a0boil,\u00a0but\u00a0I\u00a0bit my\u00a0tongue.<\/p>\n
By\u00a0the\u00a0time\u00a0the\u00a0meal\u00a0ended\u00a0and\u00a0dessert\u00a0arrived,\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0about\u00a0to\u00a0jump\u00a0across\u00a0the table\u00a0and\u00a0rip\u00a0his\u00a0head\u00a0off\u00a0for\u00a0his\u00a0continuous\u00a0stares.\u00a0Noah\u00a0had\u00a0always\u00a0been\u00a0a\u00a0flirt,\u00a0but\u00a0this\u00a0was\u00a0crossing\u00a0a\u00a0serious\u00a0line.<\/p>\n
Suddenly,\u00a0the\u00a0sound\u00a0of\u00a0his\u00a0phone\u00a0ringing\u00a0drew\u00a0his\u00a0attention\u00a0away\u00a0from\u00a0Judy.\u00a0He\u00a0frowned\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0name\u00a0that\u00a0flashed\u00a0across\u00a0his screen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0this,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0said,\u00a0standing\u00a0to\u00a0his\u00a0feet.\u00a0\u201cIt\u00a0was\u00a0good\u00a0to\u00a0see\u00a0you\u00a0again,\u00a0Gavin.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0sure\u00a0there\u00a0will<\/p>\n
1\/4<\/p>\n
Chapter\u00a0750<\/p>\n
+15\u00a0BONUS\u00a0<\/p>\n
be\u00a0plenty\u00a0more\u00a0opportunities\u00a0for\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u00a0glanced\u00a0at\u00a0Judy\u00a0once\u00a0more,\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0slow\u00a0smile\u00a0spread\u00a0across\u00a0his\u00a0face.<\/p>\n
\u201cMiss\u00a0Montague.\u00a0It\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0pleasure\u00a0to\u00a0finally\u00a0meet\u00a0you,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0said,\u00a0holding\u00a0out\u00a0his\u00a0hand for\u00a0her.<\/p>\n
Judy\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0take\u00a0it.<\/p>\n
She\u00a0stared\u00a0at\u00a0him\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0frown\u00a0as\u00a0she\u00a0said,\u00a0\u201cYou\u00a0as\u00a0well.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u00a0curled\u00a0his\u00a0fingers\u00a0in\u00a0and\u00a0dropped\u00a0his\u00a0hand\u00a0to\u00a0his\u00a0side\u00a0before\u00a0nodding\u00a0at\u00a0her.\u00a0Then\u00a0the\u00a0asshole\u00a0winked<\/p>\n
before\u00a0he\u00a0turned\u00a0and\u00a0left.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry\u00a0about\u00a0him,\u201d\u00a0Zachary\u00a0murmured,\u00a0shaking\u00a0his\u00a0head\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0closed\u00a0door.\u00a0\u201cHe\u00a0forgets\u00a0himself<\/p>\n
sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0sure\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0a\u00a0reason\u00a0you\u00a0invited\u00a0me\u00a0to\u00a0dinner this evening.\u00a0We\u00a0should\u00a0get\u00a0to\u00a0it\u00a0then.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0been\u00a0a\u00a0long\u00a0day,\u00a0and\u00a0we\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0long\u00a0journey\u00a0home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zachary\u00a0nodded\u00a0and cleared\u00a0his\u00a0throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0said,\u00a0glancing\u00a0at\u00a0Selene.\u00a0\u201cWould\u00a0you\u00a0excuse\u00a0us.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0time\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0men\u00a0to\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0real\u00a0talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0nodded\u00a0and\u00a0put\u00a0her\u00a0napkin\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0plate\u00a0before\u00a0standing.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf\u00a0course,\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0replied.\u00a0\u201cCome\u00a0along,\u00a0everyone.\u00a0Let\u00a0the\u00a0gentlemen\u00a0speak\u00a0privately.\u00a0Judy,\u00a0how\u00a0about\u00a0I\u00a0show\u00a0you around\u00a0the\u00a0manor?\u201d<\/p>\n
Before\u00a0Judy\u00a0could\u00a0reply,\u00a0my\u00a0hold\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0hand\u00a0tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u00a0stays\u00a0with\u00a0me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0be\u00a0necessary.\u00a0I\u00a0assure\u00a0you,\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0perfectly\u00a0safe\u00a0here,\u201d\u00a0Zachary\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0leaving\u00a0my\u00a0side,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said through my\u00a0teeth.<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0looked\u00a0startled\u00a0by\u00a0this,\u00a0maybe\u00a0even\u00a0a\u00a0little\u00a0hurt.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0okay,\u201d\u00a0Judy\u00a0said quickly,\u00a0glancing\u00a0at\u00a0me.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll\u00a0go\u00a0with\u00a0Madam\u00a0Selene.\u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0be\u00a0okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
My\u00a0eyes\u00a0widened.\u00a0We\u00a0agreed\u00a0that\u00a0she\u00a0wouldn\u2019t\u00a0leave\u00a0my\u00a0side.\u00a0That\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0opposite\u00a0of\u00a0that.<\/p>\n
\u201cJudy-\u201cI\u00a0started\u00a0to\u00a0say,\u00a0but\u00a0she\u00a0leaned\u00a0in\u00a0closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u00a0me go\u00a0with\u00a0her,\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0whispered.\u00a0\u201cPlease\u2026\u00a0we\u00a0will\u00a0talk\u00a0about\u00a0everything\u00a0later.\u00a0But\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0like\u00a0to\u00a0see\u00a0more\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a0place,\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0some\u00a0questions\u00a0of\u00a0my\u00a0own.\u201d<\/p>\n
My\u00a0stubborn\u00a0mate\u00a0peeked\u00a0up\u00a0at\u00a0me\u00a0through\u00a0her\u00a0lashes,\u00a0and my\u00a0heart\u00a0crumbled.\u00a0As\u00a0much\u00a0as\u00a0I\u00a0wanted\u00a0to\u00a0keep\u00a0her\u00a0pinned\u00a0to\u00a0my\u00a0side,\u00a0I\u00a0knew\u00a0I\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0keep\u00a0her\u00a0caged.\u00a0With\u00a0a\u00a0reluctant\u00a0sigh,\u00a0I\u00a0nodded.<\/p>\n
2\/4<\/p>\n
Chapter\u00a0750<\/p>\n
+15\u00a0BONUS<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0said,\u00a0leaning\u00a0in\u00a0to\u00a0kiss\u00a0her\u00a0briefly\u00a0as\u00a0I\u00a0murmured.\u00a0\u201cBut\u00a0the\u00a0second\u00a0I\u00a0sense\u00a0distress,\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0coming\u00a0to\u00a0get\u00a0you.\u00a0The\u00a0second\u00a0you\u00a0block your\u00a0emotions\u00a0from\u00a0me,\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0coming\u00a0to\u00a0find\u00a0you.\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0test\u00a0me.\u201d<\/p>\n
She\u00a0smiled\u00a0against\u00a0my\u00a0lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0wouldn\u2019t\u00a0dream\u00a0of\u00a0it.\u201d<\/p>\n
With\u00a0that,\u00a0she\u00a0stood,\u00a0excusing\u00a0herself,\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0watched\u00a0as\u00a0she\u00a0followed\u00a0Selene\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0dining\u00a0hall.<\/p>\n
Zachary\u00a0turned\u00a0to\u00a0look\u00a0at\u00a0me\u00a0as\u00a0Emmet\u00a0and\u00a0Lila\u00a0left\u00a0as\u00a0well,\u00a0wheeling\u00a0Esme\u00a0along\u00a0with\u00a0them.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow,\u00a0the\u00a0real\u00a0reason\u00a0I\u00a0asked\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0come\u00a0here\u00a0today\u2026\u201d\u00a01<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ruby is a master of holiday romance and slow-burn love stories that warm the heart like a crackling fire. Her novels weave festive magic with lingering glances and tender moments, drawing readers into cozy worlds where love unfolds one snowflake at a time. Off the page, she\u2019s baking cookies and dreaming under twinkling lights.<\/p>\n
We Built a Kingdom From Ashes That Still Remembered Love by Aila Frost 750 Chapter\u00a0750 Noah\u00a0leaned\u00a0back,\u00a0swirling\u00a0his\u00a0wine\u00a0lazily. +15\u00a0BONUS \u201cInteresting\u00a0that\u00a0nobody\u00a0even\u00a0knew\u00a0about\u00a0her\u00a0until\u00a0recently,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0said,\u00a0his\u00a0eyes\u00a0shifting\u00a0to\u00a0me\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0to\u00a0Judy.\u00a0\u201cNo\u00a0announcement\u2026\u00a0no\u00a0Luna\u00a0ceremony.\u00a0Keeping\u00a0your\u00a0mate\u00a0a\u00a0dirty\u00a0little\u00a0secret?\u201d Judy\u2019s\u00a0eyes\u00a0flashed\u00a0gold\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0briefest\u00a0heartbeat.\u00a0I\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0even\u00a0sure\u00a0if\u00a0anyone\u00a0else\u00a0noticed\u00a0it\u2026\u00a0But\u00a0I\u00a0did. \u201cOur\u00a0mating\u00a0is\u00a0new,\u201d\u00a0I\u00a0explained\u00a0calmly;\u00a0I\u00a0knew\u00a0I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0have\u00a0to\u00a0explain\u00a0myself,\u00a0but\u00a0for\u00a0Judy\u2019s\u00a0peace\u00a0of\u00a0mind,\u00a0I\u00a0felt\u00a0it\u00a0needed\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0said.\u00a0I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0want\u00a0her\u00a0to\u00a0think,\u00a0or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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