How the Ice King Became my Doting Billionaire Husband

Being held by Stuart in front of everyone made Morwenna feel awkward, to say the least. She wasn't a child, after all. But with Adelaide present, Morwenna reluctantly settled into Stuart's embrace, discomfort be damned. She was well aware of Adelaide's feelings for Stuart, and the last thing Morwenna wanted was to give Adelaide any satisfaction. Part of her couldn't help but revel in the mischief.

Adelaide, on the other hand, was silently seething, wishing Morwenna would just disappear. Yet, her face betrayed none of her inner turmoil, wearing a forced smile as she greeted, “Hello, Morwenna, long time no see.”

Morwenna wasn't one for pretenses. "I'm an orphan, no sisters here," she retorted bluntly. "Just Morwenna will do, Ms. Gallagher."

Adelaide's smile twitched at the blunt dismissal. It was clear Morwenna wasn't interested in playing nice.

The atmosphere at the breakfast table suddenly turned awkward with Adelaide's addition and Stuart's openly affectionate gesture of holding Morwenna on his lap. The younger members of the Hetfield family, aside from Ryan, couldn't help but steal glances at Stuart and Morwenna. Stuart's charm and grace were unparalleled, even among their own social circles. Who wouldn't want a boyfriend like Stuart? It seemed so unfair that Morwenna, of all people, was the one getting his attention.

Rose, sensing an opportunity, nudged Ruby Hetfield, the youngest, who innocently asked, "Morwenna, did you hurt your leg or something? Why does our cousin have to hold you? We're in front of Grandpa, doesn't it embarrass you?”

Before Morwenna could respond, Stuart coldly doused Ruby with a bowl of oatmeal, his gaze dismissive. "Is that how you speak to your future sister- in-law? Maybe you need a lesson in manners."

Ruby, oatmeal dripping down her face, looked their grandfather for support, only to find him indifferent. Even Adelaide tensed, not expecting Stuart to react so violently. No one dared to confront Stuart's wrath, and the grandfather's silence only

cemented his authority.

Ruby, now terrified, stuttered out, "Si...sister-in-law," earning a cold reprieve from Stuart. "Mind your own business, or mind your manners," he warned, and silence reclaimed the table.

Adelaide, once considering herself almost a matriarch in the Hetfield family, bowed her head, hiding her jealousy.

The grandfather finally broke the tension. "Let's eat," he said, serving Morwenna a crab cake, a delicacy flown in especially for the occasion. "Try this, Wenna. It's made from the freshest blue crabs."

Morwenna nibbled at the crab cake, while Stuart tenderly offered her a sip of almond milk, cautioning her to eat slowly. To an outsider, it would appear Morwenna was the true darling of the Hetfield family.

Adelaide watched, her dreams shattered, as she imagined herself in Morwenna's place, yearning for the tenderness Stuart showed her.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.