She tilts her head toward me, putting on a fake innocent expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I chuckle. “You’re playing a dangerous game, wifey.”
She grins and runs ahead of me. I follow her at her pace, deliberately not catching up until we reach the house.
This playful, happy version of Iselyn Mikhailov I thought was lost forever is still here. The shine of my sun wasn’t gone; it was only hiding.
My sun is getting her shine back.
My angel is flying again.
And this time, I won’t let anyone take that shine away. I won’t let anyone touch her precious wings.
Not even myself.
chapter 38
Iselyn
I’m avoiding Papa’s eyes as if I’ve done something I shouldn’t have, while all I did was things with my own husband that anyone could. For the same reason, I’m avoiding my eyes from this very husband of mine.
I don’t know why I’m feeling shy about it when we’ve gone further than this. Maybe it’s because I can’t label it asjust physical.
Thankfully, dinner is over, and Matleon is leaving. I glance up at him, only to find him watching me with a mixed expression of satisfaction and heat—the genuine smile and intense gaze. I instantly look away.
He bids good night to my parents, then to me. “Good night, Angel.” The change in his voice is not subtle. I think he wants to get caught, because Papa will know instantly that something is off with his sudden cooing.
I nod, “Good night,” then press my lips together to stop them from smiling when he grins before leaving. I also get up from my chair, wish my parents an urgent good night, and rush to my room. I hear Mom chuckle behind me.
I shut the door and walk straight into the bathroom for a cold shower.Today was a very hot day.
After the shower, when I come out humming, I find Mom sitting on my bed with a grin.
“So, will you tell me the reason behind this?” she asks, pointing toward my face.
I act ignorant. “The reason for what?”
“This constant smile and the redness on your cheeks.”
I pat my cheeks. “Today was a hot day, so the redness is because of that. As for the smile, I made a little progress in the medicine I’ve been trying to perfect for the past four months,” I answer in a serious tone.
She chuckles. “I’m your mother, sweetheart. I know when the smile on my daughter’s face is because she’s made progress in her work, and when it’s because she’s really, really happy.”
I bite the corner of my lips, already grinning again. I sit down beside her. “Matleon said he loves me.” I decide to keep what I did next to myself.
Her brows rise slightly and her grin widens. She touches my cheek with her soft palm. “I’m so happy for you.” Her eyes start to glisten with tears.
I shake my head. “No, Mom, if you cry over it as well, I’m just going to die.”
She chuckles. I smile. My mom cries over everything that makes her either too happy or too sad. She is the sweetest human in the world, and my Papa knows that very well. To him, his wife is the greatest treasure he’s ever had, which is why he left everything behind just to have a life with Mom where she’s safe. I’ve always wanted a love like theirs. The flutter in my stomach returns at the mere thought oflove.
Mom gets up from the bed in an exceptionally good mood, kisses me on the cheek, and leaves. Now she’ll tell Papa, and I have no idea how he’ll react.
I turn off the light and fall onto my back, staring into the darkness. I glance toward the window; it would take meonly two minutes to reach where he is. But I don’t think it’s a good idea. Matleon will do things I will enjoy, and I’ll end up spending the entire night there.
My phone pings with a message notification. I open it and see Matleon’s text: “Are you asleep?”
“No.”
