Mani stepped out of the detention center, a bundle of nerves wrapped tightly in Jareth’s embrace. His warm breath enveloped her, yet she still shivered gently within the circle of his arms.
“Honey Jareth paused, his l*ps parting slightly, struggling to find the right words.
What could he possibly say tofort her?
Certainly not “Better luck next time” or “Condolences.”
“Jareth.”
Mari hung her head, her eyes rimmed red, tears clinging to hershes. “Thank you, thank you for letting me see her onest time. That’s enough, truly enough. I won’t ask anything more of you from now on.”
What kind of talk is that?”
Jareth panicked, dropping to one knee before her, hisrge hands grasping her cool ones, his gaze burning into her damp eyes. “What do you mean you won’t ask anything more of me? What am I even here for? What’s the point of all my struggles if not for you?
“Jareth Mari took a small step back, her feet shuffling
“From now on, whatever you want, whatever you wish to do, just say the word. No matter what you ask for, I’ll make it happen.”
Remembering the day Maripletely broke down in front of him, a sharp pain stabbed at Jareth’s heart, his throat constricted. “Mari, you’re the one I love most. I’d give the world to you if I could. That day, it was my fault, I shouldn’t have denied you the chance to see your mother onest time. Such a thing will never happen <b>again</b>, I swear.”
With a sudden rush of tears, Mari threw herself at him, her slender arms encircling his n*eck, hugging him tightly
“I don’t have a mom anymore”
“Don’t be afraid, you still have me, your loving husband, and your caring brother and sister–inw, and grandpa.”
Jareth’s hand gently patted her back, each word weighted. “Don’t cry, my love. Hold my hand, and i’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.”
To love her, he had the courage and the patience.
He only feared not doing enough, feared upsetting her, afraid of pushing her heart further <b>away</b>.
Lily stood by the car, watching this tender scene from a distance, a smile curling on her l*ps.
Jareth finally had a home, a hand to hold forever.
Lily drove the luxury car smoothly down the bustling streets of Elmsworth.
“Honey, let’s go out and clear our minds. Do you want to visit the Aetheria Art Gallery, see the auroras, or feed the pigeons?” Jareth lifted <b>Mari’s </b>hand, cing <b>a </b>warm k*ss on <b>the </b>back <b>of </b>it.
Hearing this, Lily nced in the rearview mirror and gently reminded him, “Mr. Jareth, the board meeting for your official appointment ising up soon. You need to prepare for the next few days”
“Nothing should prevent me from being with my wife.”
Jareth’s eyes darkened, his arm wrapping around Man’s delicate <b>waist</b>. “Besides, <b>what’s </b>there to prepare for? There’s no one but me for the job. If Gary has any sense left, he’ll know that handing over the Fairhaven Group to anyone but me is futile. The Fairhaven Group can only be mine.”
<b>“</b><b>You’re </b>right,” <b>Lily </b>agreed, though her voice carried a hint of concern. “Still, it’s not the thieves who steal that you worry about, but those who keep scheming Gary has been unusually quiet since the hotel debacle, which worries me. Unusual silence often means trouble. You should stay <b>vignt</b>,”
Jareth didn’t want to discuss such deceitful matters in front of his delicate wife. He smiled gently, his voice husky, “Honey have you decided where you’d like to go?
Mari was feeling quite down, uninterested in everything.
But she knew her mood <b>would </b>weigh heavily on Jareth, so she mustered some energy and said softly. Td like to find some time to visit the Elmsworth Academy of Fine Arts”
Partly because she truly loved all things rted to art, and partly because she understood Lily’s hint–Jareth would be busy<b>, </b>and it <b>was </b>probably best not to leave Elmsworth for the time being
<b>1/2 </b>
08:28
“Great minds think alike, my love”
sto
Jareth’s eyes crinkled with joy, his smile brilliant. Tve been looking into the Academy, trying to arrange for you to sit in on some sses. I can even hire a private tutor for you and rent a
ent a studio at the school if it makes you happy, you can stay there from dawn till dusk
Filled with gratitude, Mari nuzzled her nose against his chest
Jareth’s hand cradled the back of her head, stroking tenderly, his breath growing heavy, his heart melting
“Lily From now on, keep a closer eye on Glynis,” he said, his expression turning stern
Ive been monitoring Glynnis’s movements, but she seems too ashamed to show her face after the trial She hasn’t stepped foot outside Windermere Estate, Lily replied, knowing him well
“Why though?” Mari asked, puzzled.
“Have you forgotten your mother’sst words?
Jareth’s brow furrowed, uneasy at the memory of Elspeth’s final message Tbelieve that a dying person speaks truths. If she warned you to be wary of your sister, she <b>had </b>her reasons”