Ste froze, her cheeks flushing pink—whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.


    She loosened her grip around Cedric rke''s neck and tried to push him away, but he wouldn''t budge.


    "Cedric rke, let go of me!"


    "No way. You''re my wife, andst I checked, that''s still protected byw. You can''t just abandon me." Cedric looked down at her rosy face, thinking she''d never looked cuter.


    "I only married you because you tricked me!" Ste sounded like she was about to lose it. "Stop ying dumb, Cedric rke! You''re Stewart''s best friend-if I''d had any sense at all, I''d have stayed single for life before marrying you!"


    Cedric frowned. "That''s not fair. Since when am I responsible for Stewart''s mistakes? Besides, I''m the one living with you, not him. Whether I''m a good husband or not, I''m pretty sure that''s up to you to decide, my Lady Ste."


    "Spare me the ttery!" Ste red at him, her face as stern as a judge''s. "I''m furious right now, and I don''t want to talk to you. Tomorrow, I''m taking our son and going to Bryn''s ce."


    "Sounds good!" Cedric grinned. "A few days at Skybreeze Retreat will do you good. Otherwise, I bet my mom''s going to show up again tomorrow to lecture you. She''s your own mother, and if I try too hard to defend you, she''ll probably start docking points from her son-inw."


    Ste couldn''t even muster aeback.


    "Come on, don''t be mad. I made your favorite teriyaki chicken and rice. Let''s eat. You didn''t even have lunch, did you? Look at your stomach, it''s practically caved in. Not as nice to hold anymore..."


    "Oh, shut up!" Ste snapped, bristling. "Who wants a round belly, anyway?" Watching her fume, Cedric secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    If she was still willing to yell at him, it meant he still had a chance to make things right.


    "I do!" Cedric teased, grinning wider. "I love your cute, squishy tummy-it''s perfect for cuddling."


    "Cedric rke, get lost-mmph!"


    He leaned in and brushed her lips with a quick kiss. "Don''t be angry Getting upset is bad for you, and it''ll just make you tired. Come on, let''s eat first. You can yell at me all you want after you''re full."


    Ste snorted. "I''m not hungry."


    As if on cue, her stomach let out a loud, gurgling protest.


    The two of them locked eyes, staring each other down-the world''s most stubborn showdown.


    Cedric couldn''t hold back augh and promptly earned a re sharp enough to cut.


    "Go ahead,ugh it up!" Ste punched his arm. "How did I never notice you were this shameless?"


    Cedric just pulled her into a hug, showering her with soothing words and kisses until she finally ran out of steam.


    ...


    The next morning at ten, Cedric personally drove Ste and their son to Skybreeze Retreat.


    James opened the door to find


    Cedric hauling two massive


    suitcases and did a double takel.


    ning to stay till Christmas, or what?"


    Cedric


    of stuff. "My son needs a lot


    of stuff this whole suitcase is just for him. This smaller one''s for me and


    my wife." Content beset


    "You?" James raised an eyebrow. "You''re staying here too?"


    "Of course!" Cedric said cheerfully, lugging the suitcase toward the stairs. "Wherever my wife goes, I go."


    James just stared, momentarily lost for words.