Chapter 974
As Skylar entered the hotel, she made eye contact with Vera, who was looking down at the street. Vera, in a red spaghetti-strap gown and with long, wavy hair, exuded captivating charm. Her beauty seemed almost surreal beneath the night sky. A hint of confusion clouded her eyes as she glanced toward the roadside. When their gazes met, Vera’s surprise was evident. Skylar quickly looked away, but Vera continued to stare at Skylar and Joe. Joe had escorted Skylar into the hotel after their car ride; his gentle, protective manner sparked a pang of jealousy in Vera.
“Skylar really knows how to act!” Vera thought bitterly. Despite seeing her and knowing Skylar had seen her Instagram posts, Skylar pretended not to notice. Her intimate behavior with Joe was infuriating. Vera had just called Joe, only to be refused. Through some charm, Skylar had secured a favorable position, unexpectedly relegating Vera, who should have been proactive, to a passive role. Vera had anticipated this, but Joe’s refusal still surprised her. She had made her Instagram posts visible only to Joe and Skylar, maintaining some dignity and avoiding public exposure of her vulnerability. She also didn’t want others to perceive her as inferior to Skylar.
After Joe and Skylar entered their suite, Skylar put down her things and showered. Initially sleepy, she found herself wide awake in the shower, her mind returning to the image of Vera looking down at her. Vera had approached Joe so boldly.
Chapter 474
After her shower, Skylar emerged to find Joe on the phone. He had been quite busy since picking her up. When he glanced at her, his gaze lingered, hinting at deep thought. Skylar quickly dried her hair, leaving it slightly damp. After glancing at Joe, she went to the mirror to fix her hair, becoming somewhat distracted by her thoughts. She didn’t notice Joe approach from behind. He carried a towel and gently began drying her hair.
“Why didn’t you dry your hair completely?” he asked.
“I heard that drying it fully might damage my scalp and cause hair loss,” she replied.
Joe, admiring her dark, silky hair, seemed reluctant to stop. “Let me help you dry your hair,” he said.
Feeling tired after her shower, Skylar didn’t refuse. His touch was gentle and soothing, making her feel comfortable and content.
“What were you thinking about earlier?” Joe suddenly asked.
Skylar smiled. “Nothing much, just a bit tired. Are we still taking wedding photos tomorrow?”
“Don’t you want to take the photos?” Joe asked, his hands pausing, his tone cold.
“No, it’s fine,” Skylar replied.
Joe’s tone softened. “We’re scheduled for the shoot at 2:00 pm tomorrow. Get some rest in the morning and be ready for makeup.”
Skylar nodded, realizing she had been overthinking. She decided to trust Joe.
Chapter 974 (continued)
That night, they lay in bed, holding each other but doing nothing more. It took them a while to fall asleep, both aware of the other’s preoccupation. After a long time, Skylar drifted into a light sleep. Joe quietly withdrew his hand and carefully got out of bed. Skylar woke immediately but remained still. A few minutes later, Joe dressed and left the room. As the door clicked shut, Skylar opened her eyes. All the sleepiness vanished.