She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 515

Joanna clung to his words, nodding through her misery. "I tried so hard to put the past behind us and embrace him. Why does he have to treat me this way?"

Channing rubbed her back gently. "Maybe some people are just destined to be strangers."

Joanna looked up, panic setting back in. "I was finally starting to break into this social circle, but now that your brother pulled this stunt, those women will never accept me!"

"It's fine. There will be other opportunities," Channing soothed. "I'll take over his business empire as soon as possible. That way, I can carry his burdens, and he can just focus on his military duties."

Joanna murmured a tearful agreement. "Thank God I've had you by my side all these years."

...

Back in the small apartment, the heat was cranked up high. Loyce had eaten until she was completely stuffed, and Lucian happily polished off the massive remaining portion. He even poured the spicy, tangy broth from the fish stew over his rice, clearing the bowl entirely.

After dinner, he smoothly stood up, cleared the table, and rolled up his sleeves to wash the dishes in the sink.

It was nearing 11:00 PM.

Loyce curled up on the living room sofa. A quick glance through the glass door gave her a perfect view of Lucian's broad back as he bent over the sink. A quiet, domestic tranquility flowed through the normally sterile apartment.

Once the kitchen was spotless, Lucian warmed up two mugs of milk with honey and handed one to Loyce. "Want to watch something?"

"Whatever you want. I'm not picky."

Loyce rarely indulged in leisure activities, especially not things like sitting down to watch a movie—something that felt dangerously close to a date. Most of her time was fiercely dedicated to her medical research or managing the arms syndicate.

He sat down right beside her, the cushions dipping under his weight, instantly closing the distance between them.

Lucian grabbed the remote, turning off the bright overhead lights until only a warm floor lamp illuminated the room. He turned on the TV and randomly selected an old classic.

The shifting light from the screen danced across the walls. The volume was kept low, serving mostly as background noise.

Outside, the first snow fell in absolute silence. Inside, the space was warm and insulated.

They leaned back against the sofa side-by-side, sharing a soft wool throw blanket over their legs. Beneath the fabric, their knees would occasionally brush against each other whenever they shifted.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify