Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_268
Jeremiah, Clifford, and Aurora all looked at Yvette with varying expressions of surprise and curiosity. Clifford’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he processed the information. He couldn’t quite believe it. How could Yvette know about this? he thought. Mr. Owens was usually so careful with his secrets; it was hard to imagine he’d let such a crucial detail slip to her.
Clifford’s mind was swirling with questions, but he kept them to himself. He was a man of many secrets, after all, and some things were better left unsaid. It wasn’t his place to pry into Yvette’s knowledge, no matter how surprising it was. He decided it was best to let it go.
Jeremiah turned his gaze toward Yvette, his expression unreadable. His sharp eyes flickered with the thought that maybe there was something he had missed, some piece of the puzzle that he hadn’t quite pieced together yet. But despite his efforts to analyze the situation, he couldn’t quite figure it out either. The question lingered in the air, unspoken but present.
Aurora, on the other hand, didn’t think much of it. She simply smiled, assuming that Yvette’s charm must have been the reason Mr. Owens had shared such a confidential matter with her. In fact, Aurora had become quite taken with Yvette. In just one short day, she had gone from being intrigued by her to becoming a full-fledged fan, the kind of person who would idolize Yvette to the point of losing herself in admiration.
The conversation shifted away from the topic, and no one seemed eager to dive deeper into the mystery of Yvette’s unexpected knowledge. The moment passed, and for the most part, the group continued on as if nothing unusual had occurred.
Later that evening, around eleven o’clock, Yvette and Jeremiah finally returned to Skyland. The evening had been full of lingering goodbyes, as Aurora had insisted on keeping Yvette a little longer. She even tried to persuade her to stay overnight, not wanting the day to end. But eventually, after many delays and repeated goodbyes, the couple found themselves heading home well past midnight.
As they stood at the entrance of Skyland, Jeremiah suddenly pulled Yvette into his arms before she could step inside. His action was unexpected but intimate, a moment of closeness that felt charged with an unspoken tension.
Whispering in her ear, his words carried a playful yet possessive tone, sending a shiver down her spine. “What should I do with you since I’m a little jealous today?” he teased, his voice thick and hoarse, full of a mixture of longing and amusement.
Yvette, ever composed, lifted her head slightly from his embrace, her eyes cool but steady. She raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and unyielding, her voice calm as she replied, “Well, you should get used to it.”
Jeremiah was momentarily taken aback, surprised by her confidence. He hadn’t noticed before how assured Yvette was, but now it was undeniable. It only made him more drawn to her, if that was even possible. His voice softened, the usual ruggedness replaced with something gentler, as he let the words slip out with surprising sincerity. “Want to get married?”
His question wasn’t just a casual remark. There was a weight to it, a deep longing in his tone that reflected his true feelings. He wasn’t asking her on a whim; it was a serious question, one that made Yvette pause for a moment, her eyes flickering with something unreadable. She looked up at him, her fingers reaching to tug at his tie, pulling him closer.
In an unexpected move, she pinned him against the wall, one hand on the surface for support and the other under his chin, her touch playful yet possessive. She gave a gentle, teasing scratch, sending a rush of electricity through his body. Jeremiah’s breath caught, and for a moment, he was completely overwhelmed by her proximity.
Yvette’s dark eyes locked onto his, filled with a mixture of intensity and mischief. Her voice came out clear and crisp, “Jeremiah, I’m not even at the legal age to get married yet.”
Jeremiah’s heart skipped a beat as the reality of her words hit him. He had completely forgotten that in Clusia, the legal age for women to marry had been raised to twenty-five in an effort to combat the rising divorce rates. Yvette, at only twenty-two, still had three more years to go before she could even consider getting married legally.
Jeremiah’s shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension easing as he let out a soft chuckle. He wasn’t upset—more amused at his own impulsiveness. He had been so caught up in the moment that he hadn’t thought it through. Still, the smile on his face lingered, even if there was a hint of disappointment buried underneath it.
With a subtle movement, he lowered his eyes, trying to hide his smile. He realized that, since they couldn’t get a marriage license, perhaps he could settle for something else in the meantime.
Before he could say another word, however, Yvette’s hand paused on his chin, and for a brief moment, she seemed to contemplate something. Then, without warning, she leaned in, her lips brushing against his with a raw intensity that took him by surprise. It wasn’t gentle or tender—it was bold, as though she was claiming him in the most intimate way possible.
Jeremiah quickly responded, his initial shock fading as he took control of the kiss, his hands moving to her waist. The kiss deepened, and for several minutes, they were lost in the moment, their passion filling the air around them.
Five minutes later, Yvette broke away from him, pushing against his chest and stepping back with a sly smile on her lips. She crossed her arms, the mischievous glint in her eyes never fading. “Jeremiah,” she warned playfully, “If you try that poor little me act again, I swear you won’t easily get out of bed next time.”
The sound of a door creaking open interrupted their playful exchange. Emmett, clearly startled, stepped out of his room, his bleary eyes instantly snapping to the two of them. He froze, his expression one of utter disbelief, as the tension in the room became palpable.
Jeremiah and Yvette both turned toward him, their eyes meeting his wide, startled gaze. Emmett felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, his heart racing. He stood there frozen, unsure of whether to speak or just make a quick exit.
After a long, uncomfortable silence, Emmett blinked rapidly, then suddenly closed his eyes tight, trying to convince himself he hadn’t seen anything. “Sleepwalking,” he muttered to himself. “Yeah, I’m sleepwalking. Not fully awake yet. I didn’t hear anything. My memory’s terrible.” He rushed to the door, locking it behind him and mumbling about how important sleep was as he scrambled to get away from the awkwardness.
Jeremiah’s voice followed him, calm but menacing, “What’s the best way to silence someone for good?”
Yvette’s response came quickly, a cool and collected tone that only made Emmett’s heart race faster, “There are many ways—bleeding from the nose and ears, heart-wrenching pain, being drawn and quartered, torn apart, or completely crushed.”
At that, Emmett’s legs nearly gave out beneath him. He rushed to his bed, grabbed a glass of water, and gulped it down, trying to calm his nerves. He couldn’t believe what he’d just overheard. After a moment of reflection, he pulled out his phone, his hands trembling slightly as he opened a group chat with Bruce, Chris, and Frankie.
Emmett: “Guess what I just heard?”
The three men were having breakfast together in Mysonna, and Emmett knew they wouldn’t be able to resist gossiping once he gave them something juicy. He waited a few moments for the replies to come in, but when none did, he quickly typed the message:
Emmett: “You’re not going to believe this, but… I just heard Yvette say something wild about Jeremiah. You gotta know what I overheard!”
Finally, after a full minute of silence, his phone buzzed. He eagerly checked the message and his heart sank.
Frankie: “Did you really hear that, Emmett? Are you sure you’re not sleepwalking too?”
Emmett blinked, his heart racing. Frankie knew. How did he know? How was this happening?
4o
