Chapter 961

"Besides—" The man paused, adding softly, "You're still young. There's no rush."

Though she was an adult, nineteen was still so young. To him, she was as delicate as a flower. Something to be cherished and protected, not rushed.

"I love this holiday gift, by the way," Shanley murmured, leaning in to press a tender kiss to the corner of her mouth. "But let's save the unwrapping for later."

Juniper stared at him, unable to comprehend his twisted logic. She had literally offered herself up on a silver platter. Was she being rejected?

"Fine."

Heat rushed to her cheeks, the fierce courage she'd mustered evaporating in an instant. She shoved him away, rolled over to her side of the bed, and pulled the blanket over her head.

"Juniper-"

Realizing he'd upset her, Shanley immediately shifted closer to coax her out of her shell.

"Don't talk to me," she muttered, keeping her eyes shut and batting his hand away with ruthless precision.

Shanley obediently fell silent.

But as the night deepened and sleep took over, the girl subconsciously rolled over and nestled right into his embrace.

"Silly girl," he whispered, gently stroking her hair in the dark.

The next morning, Juniper woke up to an empty space beside her.

After freshening up, she headed downstairs. The clattering in the kitchen wasn't coming from Dana, the maid, but from Shanley himself. A beautiful, steaming breakfast was already laid out on the dining table.

"You're up?"

He walked over carrying a bowl of fresh tortellini soup, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Eat up. Then I'll take you to the airport to meet up with Jimmie and the others."

Throughout the meal, Juniper kept her head down, eating in total silence. She didn't have much of an appetite and looked visibly sullen.

"Still mad?" Shanley asked, casually placing more food onto her plate. His eyes gleamed with amusement. "It's for your own good. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Shut up."

She kicked his leg under the table, a furious blush coloring her cheeks. It was probably the impending separation, combined with how deeply moved she'd been by his earlier gift, that had short-circuited her brain into making such a bold move. Now that she was think was thinking

clearly, she wanted the ground to

swallow her whole.

"Let's go. It's about time." Shanley slung her backpack over his shoulder, grabbed

her suitcase with one hand, and firmly intertwined his free fingers with hers.

Juniper let him hold her hand, though her expression remained icy.

At the airport, the rest of the crew had already gathered. They watched with sister sement as their! to Stanley or father sis

clung

refused to let her go.

"My phone will always be on. If you miss me, call me. Day or night," Shanley

murmured gently, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Juniper kept her head bowed, staring at her shoes as she listened to his endless instructions.

"You're a light sleeper, so I had your favorite pillows packed and shipped to Australis ahead of time."

*Tsk.* How incredibly thoughtful. As if the pillows were the real issue here.

"Juniper." Shanley's thumb brushed against her cheek, an unfamiliar ache tightening his chest. "This is your first time spending the holidays reunited with your family want you to be happy."

"And?"

When he finally seemed to run out of things to say, Juniper looked up, her gaze piercing. "Is that it?"

"What else is there?" Shanley was genuinely thrown off, staring at her blankly. Juniper gave him one long, hard look. Then, she slipped her hand out of his and walked toward her friends without looking back.

"Not going to say a few more words?" Jimmie asked, looking at the stranded man with mild pity.

"Nothing left to say," Juniper replied, pulling her cap low and her mask up as she marched toward the boarding gate.

*Stupid man.* All that nagging, and he couldn't even say he'd miss her? And he still wanted a wife? At this rate, he'd be single forever.