Chapter 365
Chapter 365:
Christmas celebrations mostly revolved around visiting relatives, gathering with family, and exchanging well wishes. Fortunately, the Blake family had few close relatives nearby, which spared Kailey from a long round of exhausting social visits. Irene’s excitement was impossible to miss—she took Kailey everywhere, introducing her to every acquaintance she could find, eager to let the whole world know that Kailey was her daughter-in-law.
Kailey understood the sentiment and went along with it, though Kyson clearly didn’t share the same enthusiasm.
“If I remember correctly, I’m Kailey’s husband. Why are you more excited than I am?” he asked.
Irene answered without missing a beat. “When you have a son who’s finally settled down with the right person, you’ll understand how reassuring it feels p>
Kyson didn’t know how to respond.
Christmas passed in a blur.
Lyman had originally planned to return and help with their wedding photos, but his pregnant sister went into early labor and the situation at home needed him more. With no choice, Kailey and Kyson adjusted their plans and booked the most sought-after photographer in their circle instead.
Valentine’s Day drew closer by the day. As the date approached, people came and went constantly—deliveries arrived, decorations were set up, furniture was rearranged, and the house slowly transformed. Irene suggested buying a new house for the young couple, but Kailey had grown comfortable where they were and didn’t feel strongly about moving. After some discussion, they decided to stay put for the time being.
𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻
On the Owen family’s side, Shirley’s health remained fragile, and Aleena worried that sudden changes in climate might be too much for her. In the end, they decided to bring her over the day before the wedding.
Once every detail was settled, the calendar turned to the thirteenth.
Standing alone in the room, Kailey looked at the wedding dress laid out before her and drew in a deep, steady breath.
From behind, Kyson stepped close and slid his arms around her waist, his shoulder brushing lightly against hers. “Are you feeling nervous p>
“Not really.” Her eyes stayed on the dress. “It just doesn’t feel real yet p>
A soft laugh left him as he tilted his head to study her expression. “If it still feels unreal, we could hold another ceremony in Jucridge. Maybe two weddings would make it sink in p>
“Why would anyone want two weddings? They’re exhausting. Your mom has barely had a moment to rest. One is more than enough p>
“If it’s with you, I wouldn’t mind doing it repeatedly p>
Kailey couldn’t help wondering if he had been secretly studying romance stories somewhere. Otherwise, how did lines like that come so naturally to him?
Still, his light teasing calmed the unease that had been quietly stirring inside her. Tomorrow would be their wedding. Everything had unfolded without a single setback. For days now, Ryan hadn’t crossed her mind at all.
That changed later that night.
Kyson left to stay at the hotel as tradition required, and not long after, Kailey’s phone lit up with an unfamiliar number. When she answered, only silence greeted her. She called out twice. Just as she was about to end the call, a rough voice finally broke through.
“Kailey p>
She recognized it instantly. It was Ryan.
Her lips pressed together before she replied in a steady tone. “Uncle, is something wrong? It’s late p>