He couldn''t bring himself to wake Elodie. Instead, he gently draped another nket over her and drove smoothly back to their ce.


    They''d actually been living at his family''s old house for a while now.


    It was all because of Nadia. His grandmother absolutely refused to let him take care of Nadia alone-she doted on the little girl too much to allow it.


    In the end, he''d relented.


    Besides, Nadia seemed to have taken an unexpected liking to Octavia. Octavia, who used to spend all her time out and about, now came home every day just to y with Nadia.


    But with the wedding tomorrow, the old house was hectic-too many details, too much noise. Elodie was exhausted. So he decided to return to their own home for the night, letting her get a good night''s rest before everything began.


    When they arrived, Elodie was still asleep.


    Jarrod got out, circled around to her side, opened the car door, and carefully lifted her out, tucking her arm around his neck.


    She stirred, her eyelids fluttering open for a moment.


    He met her gaze. "It''s alright. We''re home. Go back to sleep."


    With a soft sigh, she nestled closer and drifted off again.


    He carried her upstairs.


    Laying her gently on the bed, Jarrod slipped off her shoes and shrugged the heavy coat from her shoulders, moving with practiced tenderness. He supported her head, making sure she was restingfortably.


    When everything was done, he sat on the edge of the bed for a while, watching her peaceful face as she slept.


    He knew she''d been run raggedtely. Every time he called her for a video chat, she''d be tapping away at codete into the night. These past few weeks had been exhausting for her.


    If it weren''t for the fact that the wedding was tomorrow, he might have called the whole thing off, just so she could get some rest.


    Thinking it over, Jarrod tucked theforter around Elodie once more, then pulled out his phone and checked an app.


    The next morning, Elodie was woken by her phone ringing.


    Lucinda''s voice was brisk and no-nonsense. "It''s time. The hair and makeup team


    is already here. Get up so we can start getting you ready."


    Elodie jolted upright as the realization hit her-today was the day. A quick nce at the clock: past seven.


    Not many brides slept in thiste on their wedding day.


    She couldn''t help but re at the man next to her, who was still sleepily curled around her. Jarrod lifted his head, meeting her gaze with azy smile. "No need to rush It''s just a ceremony."


    Elodie still felt half-asleep, but there was no time to worry about how tired she


    was.


    She had guests to greet and a long day ahead.


    She scrambled out of bed, hurrying to the bathroom.


    "Why didn''t you wake me up sooner? If people find out I overslept on my wedding day, I''ll never hear the end of it," she muttered as she darted around the room.


    Jarrod watched her frantic movements, amusement tugging at his lips. "Just me it on me. Tell them I wouldn''t let you get up."


    Elodie poked her head out of the bathroom, shot him a re, and shut the door to start her shower.<fn0e19> Follow current nov?ls on </fn0e19>


    Jarrod didn''t waste any time either. He got up, tidied the room a bit, checked the time on his phone, and, satisfied with the schedule, headed downstairs.


    By the time Elodie finished her shower and got herself together, it was already close to eight.


    When she came downstairs, the spacious living room was buzzing with activity. More than a dozen people were already waiting for her.


    Her wedding dress was being carried in with the utmost care, and an entire set of jewelry was neatlyid out.


    The top hair and makeup team—a group that usually worked with A-list celebrities -was assembled and ready.


    It was the first time Elodie had experienced anything like this. She felt more like a porcin doll than a person as they settled her in front of the vanity.


    She nced at the clock. "How long will all this take?"


    "If we''re quick, just over two hours," someone replied.


    Elodie''s eyes widened.


    She knew it took longer to get ready on special asions, but over two hours? By the time she was done, it would be well past ten-cutting it awfully close to make it to the ceremony on time Contongs


    She nced over at Jarrod, who was still lounging on the sofa, scrolling through


    his phone. “Still looking at your phone? We''re runningte—what if we don''t make


    it in time?"


    Jarrod raised an eyebrow and tucked his phone away. "Then we let them wait.” Elodie was speechless.


    Was he really thisid-back about their wedding?


    But honestly, she was too tired to argue. Just sitting in the chair made her feetdrowsy. As the makeup artist worked, she closed her eyes whenever she could, dozing off for a few precious moments at a time.