Chapter 92

Stevie Wagner had been rooted in Clokron ever since high school.

Meanwhile, Cayden and Leonardo Gibson had remained in Shoildon, while lsaac had only returned from abroad half a year ago.

Once upon a time, the four of them were inseparable-bright stars sharing the same sky. Yet now, as lsaac lowered his gaze to his legs, a faint sorrow flickered in his eyes. Of them all, he alone felt out of step, a broken chord in their melody.

A gathering? Since the car accident, he had avoided every private get-together. Outwardly, he wore indifference like a cloak, meeting curious stares-subtle or direct-without flinching. But deep within, he could not fool himself; he knew he no longer stood shoulder to shoulder with the others.

Isaac opened his lips, prepared to decline his friend's invitation.

But Cayden, reading his thoughts, sighed gently and said, "We're friends-true friends, unlike anyone else.And besides, didn't you just announce your marriage online yesterday? Such joy ought to be shared.Shouldn't you celebrate with those who care for you?"

Isaac's brows eased slightly, his gaze drifting toward Verena across the table.

Sensing no objection, Cayden pressed on, "If your wife is willing, bring her along to dinner."

That single word "wife" stirred Isaac. The furrow at his brow finally loosened.

Shifting his phone aside, he turned to Verena and asked, "A friend of mine is returning to the country this afternoon. Tonight, we're holding a small dinner for him. They all know about our marriage and would like to meet you. Will you come with me? If gatherings make you uneasy, just say so. I won't mind."

He hesitated ever so slightly before adding that last line, and in his tone, a cautious undertone lingered.

He watched her quietly, as if bracing for her reply, yet secretly hoping for something more.

Verena caught te weight of his emotions and sighed inwardly. Time and hardship truly reshape a person.The once proud, unshakable Isaac now wore his sensitivity like a fragile shield.

She refused to let this softer side of him be overshadowed by doubt, so she flashed him a bright, easy smile and agreed without hesitation, "Of course-no problem at all."

Isaac froze for a heartbeat, and then a smile tugged at his lips.

After breakfast, Isaac left for the office, while Verena retreated to the bedroom, immersing herself once again in her medical books.

By six in the evening, Isaac returned to Seraphina Villas to collect her.

He waited in the living room until the crisp click of high heels drifted down the staircase.

Glancing up, his eyes lit ever so slightly.

Verena descended gracefully, draped in a champagne-colored coat over a beige dress. Nude heels gave length to her step, and with today's careful touch of makeup, she seemed sculpted with elegance.

"Lost in my beauty?" she teased, waving her hand in front of him.

Isaac caught her hand, and before reason could intervene, the words slipped out. "I want to hide you."

Verena's lips curved into a playful smile. Leaning closer, she whispered against his ear, breaking the spell,"Careful-locking me away is a criminal offense."

Caught off guard by her comment, Isaac was momentarily stunned before he laughed and said, "I was just joking."

They exchanged a glance and both smiled.

...

As night fell, Shoildon's streets bloomed with light. In the city center, a restaurant glowed beneath warm yellow lamps, its sign reading "Bronze Rose."

Inside, rustic charm met refinement, while bursts of laughter from a private room carried into the hall. "Stevie, after all these years, still no wife?"

"I've been buried in work, you know that."

"Work? More likely you just can't decide which lady to bring back."

Their teasing drew a ripple of laughter.

The man at the head of the table-the star of tonight's gathering-was none other than Stevie Wagner.Clad in a light suit, his cheeks flushed crimson under their banter.

His eyes flicked toward the black velvet box before him. Clearing his throat twice, he steered the talk elsewhere. "By the way, what's the story with Isaac's social media post? We never even heard he was dating, and suddenly-he's married?"