?Chapter 39:


    Elliana couldn’t tell if Cole meant to confess something or simply charm her, but whatever it was, it was working a little too well. If this went on any longer, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stop herself from giving in. With her hands pressed against his chest in a futile attempt to create some distance, she said, “I just need some time to figure this out.”


    For a moment, Cole didn’t speak. He hadn’t expected her refusal. Weren’t women supposed to be driven by emotion? If the mood was right, shouldn’t everything have fallen into ce on its own? So why did the woman in his arms still need to think things through? Why did she seem calmer than the rest?


    Instead of letting go, he pulled her in just a little tighter and murmured near her ear, “Then think, honey. I’ve got all night.”


    Elliana nudged him back, firmer this time. “I’m going to need more than just a few hours to sort this out.”


    Still holding her, Cole asked, “And how long is that supposed to be?”


    “By the day after tomorrow,” Elliana blurted, not really thinking it through. “I’ll have an answer after the SATs.”


    Cole let out a long sigh. That long just for an answer? A part of him wanted to deny her the time to think. She was his wife—shouldn’t that mean something? Shouldn’t she already be his? Still, forcing her wouldn’t feel nearly as good as if she came to him on her own.


    With obvious reluctance, Cole stepped back. He got off the bed, changed into a fresh pair of pajamas, and stretched out on the couch. It was the first time he’d ever been banished from his own bed—and by his wife, no less. The thought stung more than he cared to admit.


    Elliana finally exhaled, the weight in her chest lifting just a little. Sleep had nearly taken her earlier, but after everything that happened just now, she was fully alert.


    Neither of them managed to fall asleep, one shuffling on the bed and the other shifting on the couch. The silence between movements only made things more ufortable.


    After a while, Cole was the one who sat up first and said, “Care for a chat?”


    G  a lno  ve ls . is where the magic begins


    Still tucked under the covers, Elliana responded softly, “Sure.”


    “How do you view the marriage certificate?”


    “I heard you sent someone to Podgend to dig into the registration records,” she said. “Did theye up with anything?”


    “Nothing. Whoever did it wiped everything clean. No names, no paperwork—just gone.”


    Elliana didn’t respond right away. This didn’t surprise her. Whoever had the influence to register their marriage without either of them knowing clearly wasn’t just anyone. Since the mastermind managed to pull that off, all traces had likely been wiped clean, leaving nothing behind for anyone to uncover. With Coleing up empty-handed, it looked like she would have to rely on her own connections to get what she needed…


    By morning, Elliana was still in the same bed, wrapped in sheets that felt too soft to leave. She had been awake untilte at night and barely got any rest. Though her eyes were open, she had no desire to leave the bed. But the reminder of her SATs pushed her to force herself up, no matter how much she wanted to stay still.


    Cole, already dressed, sat beside her like he’d been waiting. The moment her eyes met his, he offered a crooked smile. “Feeling nervous?”


    Part of her wanted to brush it off and say she had it in the bag, but she nodded instead. “Very much. Barely studied, weak foundation—mightpletely bomb it and embarrass you while I’m at it.”


    Cole let out a lowugh. For someone iming to be nervous, she sure looked perfectly calm to him. Truth be told, the nervous one was him. With her promise to give an answer after the exams, he kept imagining the worst—that the spark would die out by then and she’d decide to reject him.


    Completely unaware of what was spinning through his mind, Elliana found her own thoughts drifting back to the night before. Her face turned warm, and without a word, she tossed the covers aside and rushed into the bathroom.


    After getting dressed, the two of them headed downstairs side by side. Education was sacred in the Evans household. With Elliana and Trinity both sitting for the SATs, Ruben and several rtives were already up, eager to send them off properly.


    A feast of a breakfast awaited at the table, and Ruben, ever the family figurehead, shared words of encouragement meant for both girls. Others chimed in with their good wishes, too.


    Naturally, all the attention centered around Trinity. Elliana barely registered to them, like they’d already made peace with her being the family disappointment.


    Trinity basked in the extra attentionvished on her, so she turned on the charm in earnest. “Thank you so much, Ruben, and thank you all. I promise I won’t let any…”


    “Of you down.” Then, with a nce that carried zero sincerity, she looked at Elliana. “Good luck, Elliana. Let’s both aim to make the Evans name proud.”


    “Her? As the pride of the Evans family? What a joke.” Jeff couldn’t resist throwing a jab, even if it would earn him another scolding from Ruben. The urge to belittle Elliana was just too strong. “I mean, casting aside her self-taught education andck of any teachers to tutor her, the past week saw her wandering around while Trinity was buried in prep. Do you seriously think she can pull this off?”


    Trinity hid a smirk behind her juice ss. Jeff had done exactly what she hoped—humiliate Elliana in front of everyone without her having to lift a finger.


    Elliana cast a cool, disinterested look in Jeff’s direction and didn’t bother replying. She knew better than to waste words on someone like him. Ignoring him would sting more than any insult.


    And just as expected, theck of reaction lit a fire in Jeff. He was fuming.


    .


    .


    .