"Stop sulking in front of me. It’s exhausting to look at!"

"Marcellus, I’m in a foul mood and you don't even offer a word of comfort, let alone that attitude?"

Marcellus Alexander lifted his eyes to survey the sour face before him, a dry chuckle escaping his lips. "I’m afraid human joy and sorrow aren’t always connected. My apologies."

"Marcellus! Is that even human language?"

"Damian, honestly. So Remi Crawford isn't interested in you—is that really such a catastrophe?"

Damian Spencer bolted upright, stabbing a finger in his direction. "You! You!"

Marcellus struggled to suppress the smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Enough. Go home. I have work to finish, and then I’m taking my wife to visit her parents."

"Marcellus, you’re such a total simp! I am officially severing our friendship!"

With a huff of indignation, he stomped toward the door, shoving it open just as Evangeline Montgomery was about to walk in.

Seeing his thunderous expression, Evangeline blinked, curious. "Dr. Spencer, is everything alright?"

"Let me tell you something, Ms. Montgomery—that dog-hearted bastard Marcellus, how on earth did you fall for him?"

"Uh, wasn't it you who persuaded me to go for him in the first place?"

"Oh... oh, was it?" Damian awkwardly scratched his nose, looking sheepish.

"Evangeline, don't mind him. Come here."

Evangeline spared one last glance at Damian, then turned to the desk, whispering, "What's wrong with the doctor?"

Marcellus stifled a laugh, feigning a look of pathetic grievance. "He’s just using me as his punching bag!"

"Hey! You dare to lodge a preemptive complaint?"

Damian, who had already been halfway out, strode back and reclaimed his seat on the sofa. "Let me clue you in, Ms. Montgomery. You need to watch your back with this man. He’s devious. Those missing hair clips and water bottles back in college? All his handiwork! Total creep!"

Damian crossed his legs, folded his arms over his chest, and leaned back with an air of smug satisfaction, arching a brow at the man behind the desk. *Come on then. Let's hurt each other.*

Marcellus’s face darkened, his glare sharp enough to draw blood. But he wasn't worried now. Evangeline was here. That "tea-drinking simp" had to maintain some level of decorum, and Marcellus was certain he wouldn't dare do anything drastic.

"Marcellus, is what he said true?"

Seeing the look of genuine astonishment on her face, Marcellus felt his heart thumping against his ribs like a drum, his pulse racing.

"I..."

"Of course it's true! Go back to Elysian Estate and check the third drawer in the right leg of his study desk. You’ll see for yourself!" Damian added, clearly eager to see the world burn.

"Damian Spencer, you’re a dead man!" Marcellus ground his teeth. If Evangeline hadn't been standing right there, he would have loved to punch the lights out of him.

"Oh! Trying to threaten me? Ms. Montgomery is watching, you know. If I get a single scratch, she’ll know exactly who did it."

Marcellus was about to explode when he suddenly realized something. A low, mocking laugh bubbled up. "Heh. Look at your pathetic face. No wonder Remi doesn't want you!"

That single shot sent Damian leaping to his feet. "Marcellus, you absolute dog! We are done!"

He stormed out, his footsteps echoing with rage.

The office quieted, the atmosphere instantly heavy.

"I’m sorry, I..."

Evangeline cut him off, her expression serious. "Marcellus, what is it that I’ve forgotten?"

"What you’ve forgotten is only what you didn't want to remember."

Silence descended upon them again. Evangeline pondered for a long while before finally sighing.

"Forget it. How it all started doesn't matter. As long as it's you for the rest of my life, that's enough." She offered him a brilliant, wide smile.

Marcellus pulled her into his arms, his hand stroking her hair with slow, rhythmic tenderness. *How can she be this good to me?*

After a few moments of quiet intimacy, Evangeline tilted her head up. "Are you done with work? I want to go home early."

"It's done. Let's go." He stood, grabbing his coat from the back of the chair and draping it over her shoulders. "Keep it on. It’s cold outside."

"Mhm."

Back at the Montgomery estate, they had barely crossed the threshold when Evangeline called out, "Mom! I’m home!"

Marilyn Montgomery hurried over to greet them. "Oh, my sweet girl is back!" She pulled her daughter into a warm embrace, then pulled back to study her, eyes brimming with pity. "Look at you, you’ve gotten so thin!"

"Mom, I’m doing it on purpose! I’m dieting!"

Marilyn tapped her forehead, feigning annoyance. "Nonsense. Do you think I don't know you? You definitely haven't been eating while you're busy."

Once the mother and daughter finished their reunion, Marcellus stepped forward. "Mom."

"Oh! Marcellus is here too. Come inside, don't stand in the doorway!"

Evangeline settled onto the sofa with her mother, curling into her side like a child. "Mom, I missed you so much~"

"I missed you too. I wanted to come visit, but your father wouldn't let me. He said your company was at a critical stage and I shouldn't bother you."

"Well, I’m on break now. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll just stay home and keep you both company, okay?"

Marilyn glanced at her son-in-law, checking his reaction. Seeing his calm, agreeable expression, she sighed in relief.

"Mom, wherever Evangeline is, that's where I’ll be. You don't have to worry about me."

Evangeline sat bolt upright, stunned. "Wait? You're not going back home?"

Marcellus didn't answer her, focusing instead on his mother-in-law. "Mom, would it be alright if I stayed here for a few days?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't it be? The bed in Evangeline’s room is large enough for the both of you."

"Mom!"

Evangeline wanted to crawl into a hole. Her mother was saying things that were far too suggestive!

"Then, I’ll be bothering you for the next few days."

"We’re family. Don't speak such nonsense."

*My dearest mother, could you please wait until Dad gets home before making these decisions? You're letting him stay, but are you truly not afraid Dad will throw him out in the middle of the night?*

Evangeline blinked furiously at her mother, trying to transmit a silent plea, but her mother just looked back with a confused, innocent expression. "Is your eye bothering you?"

*Forget it. I'm exhausted.*

Finally, before dinner, Edward Montgomery arrived. The smile he had just put on for his daughter stiffened the moment he saw the "intruder." *Why is this flower thief here again?*

"Dad~"

Hearing his daughter’s sweet voice, his annoyance evaporated.

"I saw your company’s latest ad, Evangeline. It was well done. My daughter is truly impressive!"

"Of course. Like father, like daughter. I can't be out here embarrassing you, right?"

"Indeed! Your father has been walking around with his chin held high lately. I’m just so proud!" As he spoke, his eyes darted toward the eyesore in the room.

Marcellus caught the look and offered a stiff, "Dad."

"Mhm." His voice was neither cold nor warm.

At that moment, the housekeeper, Nancy Green, arrived. "Madam, dinner is ready."

"Good. Let’s go, everyone to the dining room."

At the table, the atmosphere was surprisingly warm and harmonious. For once, Marcellus managed to eat a full meal.

After dinner, Marilyn turned to the couple. "You’ve finally got a break. You two should go upstairs and get some rest early."

"What? He’s sleeping here too?" Edward’s eyes widened to the size of brass bells, his voice hitting a high note of disbelief.

"They are a legally married couple, obviously they should stay together. If you don't want him here, then let our daughter go back with him!"

"I... that's not what I meant," Edward stammered.

Evangeline mentally cheered for her mother. *That’s it, Mom! Amazing!*

"Go on upstairs, you two. Don't worry about him."

"Okay."

Evangeline grabbed Marcellus’s hand and scurried upstairs, her heels clicking against the floor. "Mom is just too brilliant. One sentence and Dad was silenced. I really thought you were going to get kicked out tonight."

She laughed, sliding her arms around his waist.

"Indeed. I shall have to be very dutiful to my mother-in-law in the future."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's warmth. Marcellus caught the scent of her hair, leaning in to whisper against her ear, "Do you remember what I told you last time I was in your room?"

Evangeline’s face flushed a deep, vibrant crimson. "Shut up!"

...

The moon tonight was beautiful, but the woman bathed in its silver light was even more so.