Shaun and Halsey finally reached their happy ending, and Wendy couldn’t help but tear up.
Her best friend had finally married the man she truly loved.
Wendy’s eyes blurred with emotion as she clapped hard.
Just then, a hand reached toward her, offering a tissue.
She looked down and saw five long, clean fingers wrapped in the cuff of a crisp white shirt. The man wore a sleek silver watch on his wrist, his presence calm and refined. He held out the tissue to her, and when Wendy lifted her gaze, she saw it was Stanley.
He had been standing quietly by her side the whole time. Seeing her cry, he had handed her a tissue.
It had been a while since Wendy last saw him. Stanley was still affected by the Heartchain Curse, which meant he couldn’t get close to her. The moment he did, he would be in unbearable pain. (1)
Because of that, Stanley and Jessica had decided to get married.
Their wedding had been in the works for a long time, but even now, while Shaun and Halsey were already tying the knot, Stanley’s wedding still hadn’t been finalized.
Wendy only got to see Stanley again at Shaun’s proposal.
Now, as Stanley handed her the tissue, Wendy reached out to take it. “Thanks.”
Her voice was polite and distant, as if she were talking to a stranger.
But when she tried to pull the tissue away, Stanley didn’t let go. He held on to it, his grip firm.
What was he doing?
Wendy blinked, her long lashes trembling as she looked up at him in surprise. Her tear–filled eyes were bright and confused, making her look soft and a little lost.
Stanley’s lips curved into a faint smile.
Why was he smiling?
Wendy felt as if he was toying with her. She tugged at the tissue sharply, but Stanley caught her fingers instead.
Their hands brushed together. His skin was slightly coarse and cool to the touch, with a faint warmth beneath it that sent a jolt through her.
Her cheeks turned red in an instant.
Everyone else was watching Shaun and Halsey, yet here he was, flirting with her in the middle of a proposal.
Wendy quickly pulled her hand back. She decided she didn’t want the tissue anymore.
Just then, Madeline turned around and asked, puzzled, “Wendy, why’s your face so red?”
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Wendy stammered, “M–Maybe it’s just hot in here.”
Madeline frowned. “But it’s already fall, and it’s getting chilly today. I don’t think it’s hot at all.”
Then, she turned to Stanley. “Mr. Hawk, do you think it’s hot?”
Stanley stood tall in a perfectly tailored black suit. He looked every bit the classic movie–style CEO–sharp, confident, and effortlessly magnetic. Even when he wasn’t doing anything, he drew all the attention in the
room.
Hearing Madeline’s question, he just shrugged with a small smile. “No, I don’t think it’s hot either.”
Wendy was speechless.
Madeline might not get it, but Stanley definitely did. He was the whole reason her face was red in the first place, and now he was pretending not to know!
Wendy shot him a sharp glare, but his eyes only softened, amusement flickering in them.
Madeline was still young and had never been in love, but even she could sense the subtle tension between the two. Suddenly, she covered her mouth, giggling.
Wendy frowned. “What are you laughing at?”
Madeline grinned. “I just realized I’m totally the third wheel right now! I should probably move away and give you two some space.”
Before Wendy could say anything, Madeline had already stepped aside.
Wendy sighed.
Deep down, her heart ached a little. Watching Shaun and Halsey step into their new life together filled her with joy, but also sadness.
Unlike them, she and Stanley were still stuck where they were…and maybe they’d never have an ending at all.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
