Gwh kept her head down, cheeks flushed, unsure how to answer Leonie''s question.


    There was no denying it, though-Hawthorne really was a gentleman, far more so than anyone she''d ever dated. Her only rtionship had been with Bill Crawford, but Bill had always kept his distance, treating her more like a prize to be won than someone he truly cared about. He''d seemed to think the time just wasn''t right.


    Hawthorne, on the other hand, felt like he belonged to a different world-a true heir, raised with all the poise and confidence that came with old money. Bill was just... a footnote byparison.


    "Aunt Gwh, since you and Uncle Hawthorne aren''t having the wedding right away, why don''t you just stay here with me for a while?" Leonie suggested brightly. "That way, I''ll have someone to keep mepany during the day!"


    Gwh was tempted. She would have liked to ept, but now that she and Hawthorne were married, she doubted he''d agree.


    "I''d better stay with your Uncle Hawthorne," she replied gently.


    Leonie stared at her in disbelief. "You''re living at Uncle Hawthorne''s ce now?"


    Hawthorne''s family estate was practically legendary-nobody but family ever stayed there, and her uncle guarded its privacy fiercely.


    Gwh felt her cheeks burn. "Yes."


    Leonie shook her head, halfughing, half astonished. "When did that happen? Howe I didn''t know?"


    There was a lot Leonie didn''t know. The most surprising thing was how Uncle Hawthorne, always so reserved, had suddenly turned everything upside down. They chatted for ages, and Gwh gradually opened up. Where once Leonie had struggled to draw her into conversation, now the words came easily, and the two young women lost track of time as they talked andughed upstairs—until Hawthorne came by to collect his wife.


    "It''s time to head home."


    Both Gwh and Leonie paused, startled. Leonie grumbled, "Uncle Hawthorne, can''t you lend Aunt Gwh to me for a few days?"


    "Absolutely not," Hawthorne replied, not missing a beat.


    Leonie followed Gwh downstairs, muttering under her breath, “Honestly, you''re so possessive. She''s your wife already-what, do you think I''m going to sell her or something?"


    "It''s you I don''t trust," Hawthorne remarked, not even pretending to hide his amusement. Then, after a moment''s thought, he added, "I''ll be away Echo City for a conference in a few days. You cane keep your auntpany then."


    Leonie blinked in surprise, not sure she''d heard right. "Wait, so I actually get to stay at Uncle Hawthorne''s house?"


    Hawthorne said nothing more, simply guiding Gwh down the stairs.


    In the main hall, Mr. and Mrs. Everhart were seated on the sofa. When they saw


    the couple descend, they stood up at once.


    "We just finished talking about the


    wedding," Mrs. Everhart said warmly. "Mostly family and close rtives the way Hawthorne wants it, nothing too extravagant. Of course, if you''d rather have


    nover


    something grander, invite some of the city''s socialites and business partners, we can arrange it."


    The Everhart family had always kept their celebrations private-weddings, funerals, all of it handled quietly within the family. It was their way and Hawthorne was no exception. Still, Mrs. Everhart assured Gwh that if she preferred a livelier affair, they''d be happy to obligé? A society party, after all, was far simpler to organize than a traditional wedding.


    "Let''s just do whatever you and Mr. Everhart think is best," Gwh said softly.


    Her words came out naturally now she was getting used to calling them by their new titles, and Leonie''s cheerful "Aunt Gwh" had started to feel right, too.


    In Starfall City, she''d always wanted to keep things simple, but worried that her mother and grandfather wouldn''t approve. Besides, back home, her family was hosting; it wouldn''t be respectful to Hawthorne to insist on her own way.


    Hawthorne drew her close and kissed her gently. "Are you sure you''re not disappointed?"


    Gwh shook her head. “Marriage is about two people making a life together. It doesn''t matter how grand the ceremony is what matters is how we live afterward."


    Even if the whole world knew they were married, that didn''t guarantee happiness or sorrow. In the end, it didn''t matter.


    She truly meant it.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!