After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 224 My Stomach Hurts Just now, a shadow seemed to flicker past.

Xander scanned the darkness, but after a long while, he still saw nothing.

"Was my eyes playing tricks on me?" Hiding under the tree, Isabel patted her chest in relief. Thankfully, she had managed to move the ladder just in time; otherwise, she would've been caught red-handed by Xander.

She kept a wary eye on Xander, who was standing on the balcony, and only when he finally left did she dare to emerge from her hiding spot. Quietly, she approached the spot directly below the bathroom on the second floor. Isabel touched her belly. Fortunately, it wasn't too big yet, or climbing would have been nearly impossible.

She climbed up carefully. As soon as she slipped inside, the sound of a doorknob turning echoed in the bathroom. Shoot! He really suspects something! In a flash, Isabel stripped off her clothes and dashed under the showerhead. As her body got drenched, she grabbed a towel to make it seem as though she'd just finished showering.

Her movements were fast, but Xander was faster.

The door swung open. Isabel was so startled that she dropped the towel she was holding.

Plop! The towel fell to the floor.

The room fell silent.

Xander stood frozen in the doorway with his hand still on the doorknob. His eyes were fixed on her as if thad cto a standstill.

Isabel's face flushed crimson, the color spreading from her cheeks to her neck, ears, and even down to her collarbone. In a burst of embarrassment and anger, she grabbed the nearest bar of soap and hurled it at Xander. Finally snapping out of it, Xander shut the door just in time.

Bang! The soap smacked against the door.

Isabel stomped her feet in frustration.

That j*rk! Not only did he see everything, but he acted like nothing had happened and just stood there staring! How shameless could he be? But then- She glanced down at the wet towel on the floor and scanned the bathroom.

My pajamas aren't here and the towel is unusable now. How am I supposed to get out of here? After brooding for a full minute, Isabel opened the door slightly.

"Are you still there?" "Hm." A deep voice sounded right outside, far closer than she expected.

Isabel jumped.

Why couldn't he stand farther away? Is he trying to spy on me? "Bringa set of pajamas," she demanded.

"Alright, wait a moment." Xander walked over to the wardrobe and opened it. Everything inside was ordinary except for one that immediately caught his eye. Xander pulled the red nightgown out of the wardrobe. It was a semi-transparent nightgown with lace straps that radiated an air of sensual allure. Why does she have something like this? Did she buy it to wear it for me? The thought sent a rush of heat coursing through him.

"Here." He handed the dress through the door.

When Isabel took it, her lips twitched uncontrollably.

She remembered this dress vividly-it was a gift from Yvette.

Yvette had once said that she'd spotted it on a store mannequin and thought it looked stunning. She insisted Isabel's figure would make it look even better. Yvette had even suggested she wear it to seduce Xander and work on getting pregnant so they could be pregnant at the stime.

"Pick another one," Isabel said.

There was no response.

"Hey? Xander?" Still nothing.

Peering through the crack in the door, Isabel saw no one.

Did he leave? After a moment's hesitation, Isabel slipped on the sexy nightgown and stepped out, intending to grab something more appropriate from the wardrobe. But the instant she opened the door, she saw Xander standing on the balcony.

His gaze locked onto her, filled with a passionate intensity that made her freeze.

"You-you've been there the whole time?" Isabel's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Hm," Xander replied casually, his tone brimming with satisfaction, though his eyes never left her.

What a shameless man! Although Isabel was furious, the way Xander looked at her didn't feel sleazy or vulgar. On the contrary, there was an inexplicable sense of refinement, as though he were an elegant gentleman. But that might just be his ridiculously godlike face at work. Staring at his perfect features, Isabel couldn't stay mad. "You-you did this on purpose, didn't you? You-" Before she could finish, Xander strode forward and scooped her up. "What are you doing?" she stammered.

Xander laid her gently on the bed. Then, without a word, he yanked off his tie single-handedly.

Isabel sat up abruptly, but before she could fully rise, Xander's long legs shifted. He pinned her beneath him.

"Don't blme. You were the one who seducedfirst." His deep, rich voice resonated in her ears, both intoxicating and maddening.

"What? You're the one who gavethis nightgown!" "Didn't you put it in the wardrobe to make sure I'd find it?" His smile was wickedly playful and his gaze burned with unspoken intent.

"That was a coincidence! Pure coincidence!" Isabel crossed her arms defensively in front of her chest. Xander's gaze was blazing with desire and it felt like it could ignite her on the spot.

"Stop moving," he said while removing her hands.

"This nightgown looks amazing. Letappreciate it a little longer." Then, he lifted them above her head.

Isabel was speechless.

Appreciate the nightgown? Does he think I'm stupid? He's not looking at the nightgown!

She glanced down at herself. The rose-red silk clung to her like @ m second skin, it's delicate lace leaving little to the imagination. The gown traced her figure with impeccable precision, highlighting every curve. The plunging lace neckline revealed just enough to stir curiosity, leaving an air of mystery that beckoned exploration

Xander's Adam's apple bobbed as his gaze roamed over her. The primah instinct in him, caged for too long, now roared to life, eager to claim its territory. He leaned closer as if about to embark on a conquest of a long-lost domain.

"No, no, we can't! I ... My stomach hurts... " Isabel stammered pushing athis shoulders with all her might. She was three months pregnant-still in a delicate stage where such things could harm the baby.

"You're lying." His voice was strained and needy.

"I'm not lying!" Seeing that Xander showed no sign of stopping, Isabel panicked. In a desperate she leaned forward and sank her teeth into his shoulder.