Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but laugh. He really was fixated on tonight’s main event.
“Tonight is our wedding night. You should take it seriously,” Yancy Shaw said as he reached out to undo her clothes.
Lauren Shaw pressed down on his restless hand, her cheeks flushing pink. “I haven’t even showered yet.”
“I’ll carry you there.”
“I can go myself.”
“Aren’t you tired? Let your husband handle such trivial things.”
Yancy Shaw lifted her into his arms and carried her into the bathroom. Lauren Shaw squirmed shyly, “No, I can do it… mm…”
He knew full well she was only pretending to be coy, and it was all too easy for him to make her yield. He lowered his head and kissed her, swallowing up her protests…
—
“No, stop—” Deep in the night, Nina Shaw jolted awake, her forehead slick with cold sweat.
Xavier Quinn held her anxiously and asked in a gentle voice, “Did you have a nightmare?”
Nina Shaw’s breath was ragged before she finally came to her senses.
Sensing Xavier Quinn’s concern, she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment.
“What did you dream about? You’re drenched in sweat.”
Meeting his worried gaze, Nina Shaw tried to calm herself and replied, “I dreamed someone was trying to kill me.”
It was a strange dream—everything was distorted and unclear, faces shrouded in shadows. She vaguely heard voices murmuring that they couldn’t allow the child in her belly to be born. Then someone appeared, wielding a knife, saying they would cut her open…
That’s when she had snapped awake.
Xavier Quinn soothed her gently, his voice a comfort, “It’s all right now, it was just a dream. I’m here. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Nina Shaw’s heart slowly calmed. With Xavier Quinn whispering softly beside her, she gradually drifted back to sleep.
Watching her peaceful face, Xavier Quinn leaned down to kiss her forehead and spoke quietly, “Don’t be afraid, Ning. I’ll always protect you.”
It was as if Nina Shaw dreamed of something sweet; the corners of her lips curled up faintly.
Xavier Quinn couldn’t help but chuckle quietly before closing his eyes and following her into sleep.
A few days later was the Qiao family patriarch’s birthday banquet.
As in previous years, it was a grand affair. This year was no exception.
Nina Shaw and Xavier Quinn had just returned from several days of vacationing in Bali. If Qiao Jing hadn’t called, Nina Shaw might not have come back at all.
After all, she had absolutely no desire to return to the Qiao house.
Upon seeing Xavier Quinn come home, Qiao Jing’s eyes darkened. “So you know how to come back? If I didn’t call, would you have just forgotten your grandfather’s birthday?”
“Did I ever say I forgot?” Xavier Quinn shot him an indifferent glance.
Qiao Jing’s voice rose several notches. “Are you even aware of Nina Shaw’s condition? And you still dare to drag her around like this?”
Nina Shaw was pregnant, and with the Qiao family placing heavy importance on heirs—especially the firstborn—it was no wonder Qiao Jing took such an interest.
She was long used to this kind of argument between father and son. In the past, she’d never have spoken up for Xavier Quinn, but for some reason now, she hated seeing anyone shout at him.
“Dad, please don’t blame Xavi Quinn—it was actually me who wanted to stay and play a few more days.” The moment Nina Shaw spoke, Qiao Jing’s expression immediately softened.
After all, she was his daughter-in-law; his dissatisfaction was with Xavier Quinn, not Nina Shaw.
Xavier Quinn said nothing, merely holding Nina Shaw’s hand as they walked inside.
Tonight was grandfather’s birthday banquet—a family occasion, not the time to argue.
The truth was, ever since the New Year, Xavier Quinn hadn’t returned once. Qiao Jing resented it, but Xavier Quinn had always had his issues with him—his father’s discontent couldn’t change a thing.
Hand in hand, they approached the old patriarch. Nina Shaw greeted the elderly Qiao politely, “Grandpa.”
The old man’s face was a map of cheerful wrinkles. “Ningning, you’re back! I heard you two went traveling abroad? Was it fun?”
Xavier Quinn was his favored grandson, and naturally, that fondness extended to Nina Shaw too—after all, he had chosen her to be his granddaughter-in-law in the first place.
Nina Shaw nodded. “It was fun. Next time, you should come with us, Grandpa.”
The old man let out a hearty laugh, and the scene of the family together was warm and cozy—that alone was enough to infuriate Xiao Xiufang.
She glared at Qiao Linyue, who sat nearby with his legs crossed, playing mobile games, and snapped, “Why can’t you put in a little effort? You never lift a finger to win favor with the old man, always leaving me to plot everything!”
Qiao Linyue replied carelessly, “Why should I win his favor? He doesn’t even like me.”
Everyone knew—the old patriarch only had eyes for Xavier Quinn. He’d never cared for Linyue, so Linyue put no effort into currying favor; why waste effort when it would only be repaid with coldness?
Xiao Xiufang could only sigh in frustration—her son was a hopeless playboy, nothing she did could change that.
Still, the only comfort was how fraught things were between Qiao Jing and Xavier Quinn. Over the years, she’d stirred up trouble between them at every opportunity, dividing father and son even further.
The old man wasn’t likely to last much longer anyway. Once he was gone, no one would be able to get in her—or her son’s—way.
But this news of Nina Shaw’s pregnancy… that was certainly not good news for her.
As the guests filtered in, the old patriarch, not wanting Nina Shaw to exhaust herself given her condition, told her to rest in the living room.
Xavier Quinn and Qiao Linyue went to greet the guests.
Spotting Nina Shaw alone, Xiao Xiufang poured her a glass of milk and set it before her.
Nina Shaw glanced up to see Xiao Xiufang, immediately growing guarded.
Feigning concern, Xiao Xiufang said, “Nina Shaw, you’re pregnant—you need to drink more milk. It’s good for the baby.”
Nina Shaw wasn’t averse to the milk, just to the person offering it. Still, she kept her manners. “Thank you, Aunt Xiao.”
Though their relationship wasn’t exactly hostile, they certainly weren’t close. Nina Shaw knew Xiao Xiufang was a master of two-faced pretense—smiling on the outside, scheming on the inside. One wrong move, and you’d walk right into her trap.
With someone so devious, it was best to keep one’s distance.
Today, Xiao Xiufang was acting differently. Even knowing Nina Shaw wouldn’t warm to her, she hovered nearby, making no effort to help welcome guests.
Unable to help herself, Nina Shaw said, “Aunt Xiao, you should get on with your duties. I’m fine on my own.”
“I just thought you might get bored sitting here by yourself, so I came to keep you company. Your father, Xavi Quinn, and Linyue can look after things outside.”
Nina Shaw forced a smile and said nothing more.
Xiao Xiufang casually started a conversation, “How’s Xavi Quinn treating you lately? Is work busy at the company? You’re pregnant now, you need someone to look after you. Why not move back in here for a while? I could help you.”
Despite her outward concern, Nina Shaw knew exactly what this woman was plotting.
“Thanks for the offer, Aunt Xiao, but Xavi Quinn isn’t too busy these days and he can take good care of me. There’s no need to trouble you.”