Was the boss really thinking about settling down?

Silas scratched the back of his head. "Well, Susanna's mother probably wouldn't agree to marry her off to you, right?"

Hull's fingers paused on his cigar. He looked up at Silas.

Silas felt a bead of sweat form under that intense gaze. "I just mean... mothers usually want a stable and safe life for their daughters."

And stability was the one thing Hull couldn't offer. Especially considering the dangerous mission he was about to undertake next. Lacey Tucker would never willingly let her daughter follow a man like him into the line of fire.

Hull's breath hitched. "What if I offer a more substantial settlement?"

"It's not about the money, boss," Silas sighed.

Lacey Tucker wasn't exactly hurting for cash. She had been a wealthy woman back in Portis City.

"If it's just stability she wants, I can give it to her," Hull said firmly. "After this is over... I'll give her that life."

Silas was speechless.

Give it to her? What was the boss planning?

Hull took a slow drag of his cigar. "Who do you think would dare touch my woman?"

Silas didn't have an answer. In the open, no one would dare cross Hull. But what about the enemies hiding in the shadows? Silas had initially thought Hull was just having a fling, but now it was painfully obvious the man had fallen completely in

love.

Before Silas could argue further, Hull waved him off. "Just go figure out the wedding customs in Portis City."

"Right, okay..." Silas nodded.

Whatever, the boss knew what he was doing. Silas turned and left the room.

Hull crushed out his cigar, walked over to the bed, and slipped under the covers, pulling Susanna into his arms. As he held her, he noticed that her waist felt a little thicker than usual.

Stirring from his touch, Susanna rolled over and nuzzled into his chest. "You're still here?"

"I didn't leave," Hull replied softly. The silly girl was still half-asleep and thought he had gone out.

"What are you poking at?" she mumbled groggily. His hand had been resting on her stomach, keeping her from getting comfortable.

"I think you've gained some weight recently," Hull observed.

Susanna's eyes snapped open instantly, her sleepiness vanishing. "You..."

"Alright, alright, go back to sleep," Hull quickly coaxed, knowing how much she hated being called chubby. He patted her back soothingly until she drifted off again.

Once she was completely asleep, Hull let his hand rest on her stomach once more. Right in the center, he felt a distinct, firm little bump. It was about the size of a golf ball.

His breath hitched. He felt it again, carefully. There was definitely something there.

Could it be...?

It had been snowing in Yoreland for days.

Miriam Harper was stranded at the airport for an entire night, and by the next day, all flights were still grounded. She had been trying to call her fiancé, Gideon Gills, but his phone was completely unreachable.

Instead, her phone rang with a call from her sister, Harper.

"Hey," Miriam answered wearily.

"Where are you? I'm coming to pick you up right now!" Harper demanded.

"I'm at-"

"Gideon cheated on you!" Harper blurted out, her voice trembling with rage. "He went into The Royal Sands Hotel with some woman last night and hasn't come out! The tramp even posted cozy pictures ofthem On Twitter. Someone sent me the screenshots." Content bétongs

Harper was absolutely furious. Gideon had grown up with them. How could he do this?

Miriam went completely silent.

A loud ringing echoed in her ears. The blood drained from her face, and a cold chill swept over her skin. "W-What did you say?"

"Send me your location. I'm coming to get you right now. How could he do this to you? It's despicable!" Harper yelled through the phone.

"I... I'm in Yoreland," Miriam stammered.

"What?!"

"I can't come back right now," Miriam gasped, her breathing growing erratic.

Gideon cheated. How could he cheat on her?!

"Is... is this some kind of misunderstanding?" Miriam asked, her voice shaking violently. She couldn't process what she was hearing.

"She posted on Twitter at ten last

night, and again this morning. What misunderstanding?" Harper

he woman

snapped The woman was half-naked, and Gideon was in bed with the covers pulled up, clearly fully exposed underneath Tell me, how is that a misunderstanding?"