Summer’s POV
Victoria’s face hadn’t improved much since the allergic reaction. She been stuck in the hospital for about a week, and during that time, the internet had been buzzing non–stop about the incident between her and Elle Sinclair.
All the media outlets had been carefully managed by James Wilson, they knew exactly what to say and what to keep quiet about. Meanwhile, the paparazzi Elle had hired were busy attacking Victoria, which prompted Victoria’s fans to flood the reporter’s social media and websites with angry comments. They even went after Elle personal websites and information, exposing everything boot her in a massive doxxing campaign.
I had to admit, the power of internet was truly impressive. In just one short week, the media narrative had completely shifted. Where they had previously accused Victoria of being shaineless, now they were calling Elle prychotic‘ and ‘twisted.”
In the midst of all this chaos and drama, Brandon and I were approaching our first Christmas since getting married.
I stared at my phone, Elizabeth’s words still ringing in my ears long after the call had ended. This wasn’t how I’d planned to start my evening. First Grandpa George’s call about Christmas, and now this? I sighed, rubbing my temples as I tried to process what my mother was really asking.
The bathroom door clicked open, releasing a cloud of steam as Brandon emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets clung to his broad shoulders, tracing paths down his chest. Any other time, the sight would have immediately captured my full attention, but tonight my mind was elsewhere.
Brandon’s eyes narrowed slightly when he noticed my expression. He crossed the room, plucking the phone from my hand and glancing at the screen.
“Elizabeth Taylor,” he read, his voice cooling several degrees.
“Hey,” I said softly, standing up and grabbing a smaller towel from the coffee table. I guided him to sit on the sofa and started gently drying his hair, the familiar gesture calming us both.
“Grandpa just called about Christmas, and then my mom followed up right after, I explained, my fingers working through his damp
hair.
“Hmm? What did they say?” Brandon asked, his hand finding mine and giving it a gentle squeeze.
“It’s about going home for Christmas.” I bit my lip, watching his expression carefully. “Don’t get mad, okay?*
“Why would I be mad?” he replied, shifting to face me better. “What exactly did they say?”
I took a deep breath. “They want me to come home for Christmas, which isn’t surprising. But then my mom said… she wants me to bring Dr. Sean with me.”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Brandon’s expression didn’t change much to the untrained eye, but I knew better. His jaw tightened ever so slightly, and that cold, calculating look settled over him–the one that made me think of a predator sizing up prey.
“I didn’t agree to anything,” I added quickly.
“I’m not angry with you,” Brandon said, his voice controlled but intense. “June!”
He pulled me into his arms, holding me against his chest. “Did I scare you? I’m not upset with you.”
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Chapter 294
“I know that,” I replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “I wasn’t scared, I just… could you maybe not make that face next time? That cold, calculating look.”
“I premise,” he said, stroking me cheek with his thumb.
I leaned forward to plant a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth. Even though I know you’re not mad at me, it still makes me uncomfortable when you look like that.”
“Alright,” he agreed.
“Besides,” I continued, looping my arms around his neck, “I just told you what my mom suggested–I never said I was actually going to bring Sean home! That would be crazy.”
I explained to Brandon what he might not know–that the real Dr. Sean was the Sullivan family physician. “Can you imagine if i actually showed up with our Dr. Sean? They’d have a collective heart attack!”
Brandon chuckled, tapping the tip of my nose playfully, “You know what? You actually should take Sean with you.”
“What? Why?” I pulled back, genuinely confused. “This isn’t just about eating Christmas dinner, Brandon. Dr. Sean’s identity is pretty significant, and the Sullivan family has serious money and power in New York. That’s exactly what they’re after! Otherwise, why would they suddenly be nice to me?”
I frowned as I connected more dots. “This is obviously because Victoria is already married. They’re trying to set me up with the Sullivan family instead.”
“Silly girl,” Brandon said, his expression softening. “Don’t worry about it. Even if that’s your mother’s plan, it won’t work. The Sullivan family has their own standing–they won’t jump just because your mother suggests it.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Having Sean go with you is better than having someone we can’t control. At least we know where Sean’s loyalties lie.”
“Wait, are you saying if Sean doesn’t come, my mother will find someone else?” My brow furrowed as I considered the implications.
Brandon smoothed the crease between my eyebrows with his thumb. Don’t worry so much. This isn’t something you can change
anyway.”
“So sending Sean with me is currently the best option,” he continued “and your mother isn’t going to marry you off to him immediately.”
“I guess that’s true,” I admitted, though something still felt off about the whole situation.
“That’s enough overthinking for tonight,” Brandon said, glancing at the clock. “It’s getting late. We should get some rest.
I nodded, snuggling against his chest. “So I’ll be at the Taylor house for Christmas. What about you? Will you be at the Stark mansion?”
“Yes, it’s expected,” he replied, his expression darkening slightly. “So, June, when can we go public with our relationship? All this sneaking around means we can’t even spend Christmas together.”
I cupped his face in my hands, my heart aching at the hint of frustration in his voice. “I promise, once all this drama blows over, we’ll announce our relationship right away. And then we’ll have a proper wedding ceremony too. How does that sound?”
“Mmm,” Brandon hummed, lifting me effortlessly into his arms.
He laid me gently on our bed, and I couldn’t help the smile that curved my lips, my eyes crinkling at the corners. I pulled him closer, pressing kisses to his nose, his eyes, his brow, his cheeks, and finally his lips, tugging him down beside me.
2/
Chapter 294
Brandon quickly shifted his weight, rolling us so he wouldn’t crush me. We tumbled across the sheets
ogether, laughing
