Chapter 513


    Chapter 513


    Jareth entered the room; his movement as silent as the fall of snow outside.


    He had even slipped off his shoes at the doorway, not wanting to disturb his love’s peaceful dreams,


    moving only in his socks across the soft carpet. The expansive,fortable bed cradled Mari’s


    delicate form wrapped in the quilt, with her small head peeking out, her raven hairzily syed like


    strokes of vivid ink strokes spreading on pure white paper.


    Jareth sat on the edge of the bed, gazing down at the charming, peaceful features of his petite wife; his


    fingertips gently brushing a lock of hair from her cheek.


    ‘I was away for just a short while, and all hell breaks loose, Jareth murmured, his rough fingers tenderly


    tracing her smooth cheek, the rosy lips, the elegant corbone. “I thought I was the only man in the


    world who couldn’t get you out of his mind. Now it seems, your charm’s even bigger than I pictured.


    From now on, I might have to keep you from going out. What if someone else sets their sights on you


    again? And you know, hearing about tonight’s events almost broke me. If that guy wasn’t your sister–


    inw’s brother, I would have to give him a good beating!”


    His fingertips inadvertently pressed harder, and Mari’sshes fluttered, a soft murmur escaping her


    lips. Startled, Jareth quickly withdrew his hand, afraid he’d disturbed her sweet dreams.


    At that moment, Mari turned over, kicking the quilt down to reveal the warm, tempting curve of her


    body. Although dressed in a silk nightgown, her sleeping posture had twisted it into rumpled and


    messy, exposing the soft skin of her shoulder and adorable chest.


    A thick desire clouded Jareth’s gaze, his broad shoulders tensing with restraint.


    He was about to lose control.


    “Mmm, do you really like my painting?” Mari mumbled in her sleep, her words indistinct.


    In the tranquil room, he heard every word clearly.


    “Do you really like my paintings?”


    Mari, surely you were not asking me. Then, who were you asking?


    “Aaron.”


    In an instant, Jareth’s blood ran hot, his mind nking out!


    The next second, he pressed his strong body against hers, his kiss fierce and desperate, awakening


    Mari from her dreams.


    At first, she was startled, but upon seeing Jareth, her entire body rxed. Her arms wrapped around


    his neck, the softness of her touch dispelling the fierceness that had invaded her mouth.


    The thin nightgown disappeared without a trace.


    For Jareth, she was always willing.


    Whenever he wanted, she gave herself to him.


    Their little white boat drifted among the rolling waves for a long time.


    It wasn’t until Mari scratched at his back, her voice breaking, that Jareth finally let her go.


    Men were really like horses; they wanted to do it when they were happy and even more so when they


    were not!


    “Mari, what exactly did that guy do to you, huh?” Jareth’s possessive gaze burned down on her, still


    hovering close


    “Jareth, did I do something wrong?”


    Mari felt his anger, but didn’t understand her mistake; her eyes brimming with confusion and tears.


    Jareth couldn’t bear to see her cry, his heart twisting as he clumsily pulled her into his arms, gently


    comforting her.


    “It’s okay. it’s all okay. You did nothing wrong; it’s me. Let’s just sleep now.”


    They endured until dawn.


    While his wife slept soundly, Jareth was like a weary father who had spent the night consoling a crying


    child all night, heading downstairs with dark circles under his eyes.


    Evadne and Thaddeus had a good night’s sleep and woke up early.


    After a morning run and a refreshing shower, they were now preparing breakfast.


    Evadne sat leisurely at the dining table, tearing a piece of toast, while Thaddeus, wearing an apron,


    attentively fried eggs in the kitchen.


    The sweet atmosphere and the feeling of an old married couple were palpable.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Jareth, who had been overflowing with jealousyst night, had consumed two pounds of vinegar in


    tears.


    Upon seeing Jareth approach, Evadne couldn’t help but tease, “My goodness, Mr. Fairhaven, you look


    like you’ve been digging a cer in your roomst night!”


    “Ah, don’t mention it.” Jareth sighed, his frustration palpable.


    How could he exin that his night had been a tumult of passion and jealousy?


    Evadne sensed his trouble but respected his silence.


    “Want some breakfast? I can make an extra portion for you right now,” Thaddeus offered, ncing back


    at him without stopping his task.


    “Not hungry, thanks”


    Jareth headed to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of ice–cold water, and drank it in one go. Crushing the


    empty bottle, he inhaled deeply. “Evadne, Thad, I’m going to the courthouse with Mari today We’re


    getting our marriage certification”


    The couple was stunned. “What? Today?!


    “Yeah, today”


    Jareth’s eyes were fierce, his voice was deep and hoarse, Tve thought it over. The longer we wait, the


    more things can go wrong. I don’t care if the family approves or not, I’m making Mari legally my wife,


    the rightful Mrs. Abernathy of the Fairhaven group!


    Even if grandpa disagrees, there’s nothing he can do. Once I take over the Fairhaven group, I’ll give


    Mari the grandest wedding she deserves. She’ll understand my decision”


    Thaddeus furrowed his brows, neglecting the eggs on the stove which started to burn.


    “Thad, I didn’t take my driver license now, I’ll get it in a bit. Where’s Mari’s? Still at home? Can you


    get it today?”


    Jareth, what are you up to? You seem really off today, Evadne’s eyes narrowed slightly.


    What’s wrong? I just want to marry Mari. Why aren’t you all cheering and supporting me


    enthusiastically? Jareth’s frustration knitted his brows tightly. Jareth’s gaze flickered with an


    uncharacteristic restlessness as he sat slouched at the kitchen table, an uneaten te of warm


    buttermilk pancakes in front of him. Thaddeus, having just turned off the stove, eyed him with a mix of


    concern and exasperation.


    “Jareth, you and Mari have been in a rtionship for a good while now. You’ve always been


    composed. Why the sudden change of mind?” Thaddeus asked, his voice tinged with worry.


    “And another thing, the family records are with Frederic Abernathy. You can’t juste and request


    them. After all, during thest banquet, you caused Frederic a great deal of embarrassment for the


    sake of Evadne. He’s a petty and vengeful person, and now that you’re seeking his help, it might allow


    to settle the score. If you anger him, he might find another marriage proposal for Mari. Given the


    current troubles the Fairhaven group is facing due to Edith, Frederic doesn’t want any association with


    you. Your rtionship is already strained. Have you sorted out the affairs in your family?”


    Jareth clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening.


    “Have you even sorted out things at home?”


    Evadne chimed in, her voice firm as if she and Thaddeus were Mari’s own parents. “Do Barry and


    Mrs. Fairhaven approve? If you go against their wishes, aren’t you afraid your grandfather will revoke


    your position in anger? Aren’t you afraid your uncle might take advantage of the chaos? Barry has only


    one grandson, it is you. He treasures you like a precious gem. How will he view Mari in the future?


    Do you want her to be looked down upon within the Fairhaven family forever?”


    “Mari is my wife! My love! Who dares to look down on her?!” Jareth’s eyes reddened.


    He was unable to bear such words, as if he were worthless.


    Evadne shook her head, “Jareth, I don’t doubt your love for Mari for a second. But you need to figure


    out what you truly want, what kind of life you want to give her. Right now, you’re at a crossroads. You


    can’t have both the Fairhaven group and Mari. If you lose the group, you’ll be failing your father’s


    expectations. If you choose Mari, be prepared to be excluded from the power center. Are you willing


    to let the opportunity slip through your fingers?


    “Why can’t I have both. I want the Fairhaven group! But I want Mari more!” Jareth’s eyes zed with


    determination, his brows twitching.


    “No one’s saying you can’t be together, but you need to calm down. Victory is within reach; don’t mess


    things up, Thaddeus counseled, his voice a calm contrast to Jareth’s heated one.


    Evadne’s beautiful eyes narrowed as she studied him, “What exactly happened between you and


    Marist night? Don’t keep it to yourself. Let us, the experienced ones, give you some advice. Don’t


    suppress it, or it might lead to problems.”


    “The most important thing is to avoid doing something foolish,” Thaddeus added, as he served up


    breakfast one by one in front of his wife. He was now more proficient in this work than Alva, their


    longtime housekeeper, and he enjoyed it


    “Not very well done, but let’s eat while it’s hot.”


    Thaddeus wore a kitchen apron over his elegant attire, the contrast between his refined features and


    the domestic garment adding a touch of humor and unexpected charm.


    Evadne’s sweet smile spread across her face as she suddenly rose and looped her arms around


    Thaddeus’s neck, nting a firm kiss on his cheek.


    “A reward,” she said yfully, her fingers flicking his jawline.


    Thaddeus’s thickshes fluttered, and he wasted no time in returning her affection, savoring the


    sweetness of the moment.


    Jareth, meanwhile, seemed deted, his shoulders slouched as if he had lost everything dear to him.


    “I’ve got a rival,” he murmured.