Chapter 18 Chapter 18 +23 ) Joycelyn wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled sweetly .
I love it .
Its everything I could wish for .
Thank you , Mr.
Grant , she gushed .
Ellison drew in a deep breath and narrowed his eyes .
He saw the excitement on her face and how awestruck she was , her voice deep .
I instructed William to hire a designer .
It was a bit rushed , but Im glad that you like it .
I do , I really do , Joycelyn said almost breathlessly .
Have a good rest , Ellison said .
I will .
You too , she replied .
The both of them remained as cordial as distant coworkers .
After what had happened earlier that day , Ellison had decided to give her space instead of requesting that she accompany him .
As soon as Joycelyn closed the door behind her , she began to indulge in her solitary freedom , taking a shower before getting into the bath .
When she was finished , she put on her new pajamas and sat on the edge of her bed for a long while .
She sat as still statue , letting her eyes rove over the closet of new clothes .
as a She began to laugh and cry at the same time , relishing the fact that she could leave her past behind and welcome this new lease of life .
She took her phone out and went through her contact list , blocking every single member of the Mercer family .
She looked at the dozen or so messages and missed calls left by her mother and ignored them all save for one .
Replying to that message , she said , [ I wont drag you down anymore since Im an outsider .
From now on , well go our separate ways .
] Soon after , her mother replied with a voice message .
Joycelyn doesnt hesitate to block her number and delete it .
Now that she had escaped from their clutches , she was determined not to look back .
Glancing at the time , Joycelyn noticed it was almost half past nine .
She got up to fetch a glass of water from downstairs .
As she made her way down , she bumped into Ellison at the foot of the stairs .

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He was holding a bouquet of pink roses .
The both of them froze at the sight of each other .
Ellison didnt reveal any emotion on his face , so Joycelyn continued to make her way slowly to the kitchen , saying , Arent you going to bed yet , Mr.
Grant ? Soon , Ellison replied , making his way up while holding the bouquet in one hand .
As they passed each other , he placed the blooming bouquet in her hand .
Here .
I know wed rushed to get the marriage license , so Ill make up for the rest at a later time .
Is this for me ? Joycelyn pointed to herself and asked in surprise Yeah , Ellison answered in a low voice .
His angular face was as handsome as ever .
Thank you , Joycelyn said gently as she received the bouquet with both hands .
She was overjoyed to receive flowers for the first time in her life .
174 Extra Check In 12:56 Mon , Feb 10 O Chapter 18 Im going to bed .
Ellison informed her .
Of course .
Goodnight , Joycelyn replied sweetly with a dainty smile on her lips .
183.47 % +23 ) Ellison continued slowly up the stairs , and as he was reaching the top , he turned his head slightly to look back at Joycelyn .
She hadnt moved at all , still admiring the bouquet in her hands .
Joycelyn had fair , porcelain skin .
Her features were delicate , and her round eyes , in particular , were warm and bright .
It had been safe to assume that she liked flowers .
Joycelyn carried the flowers with her to the kitchen , got herself a glass of water , and headed back upstairs .
The whole time , she hadnt set the bouquet down .
When she returned to her room , she placed the flowers on the nightstand next to her bed .
It instantly added a touch of femininity to the cream colored room .
She couldnt believe that her first bouquet would be gifted from Ellison .
She thought back to the moment theyd bumped into each other and wondered if he had seemed a little embarrassed .
Joycelyn had noticed a flash of surprise across his face , perhaps even a tinge of awkwardness behind his usually piercing eyes .
She was surprised to discover this side of Ellison .
She decided then that she would get up earlier in the morning to make him breakfast .
Then she drank some water before she lay down on her huge , soft bed , feeling a peace of mind that shed never had before .
Shed slept until half past six the next morning , and when she awoke , she was thoroughly well rested and in good spirits .
Maybe Im not a night owl after all , she thought .
After she washed up , she headed downstairs to prepare breakfast Ellison treated her well , and she had no way to thank him except to take better care of him .
She prepared a spread of breakfast muffins , pancakes , and smoothies , as well as some yogurt with an assortment of fruit .
When shed finished , she looked at the brand new , unopened coffee machine and decided to try it out .
At half past seven , Ellison came in through the villas back door , dressed in athletic wear .
He entered just in time to see Joycelyn grimacing as she sipped on some coffee .
Good morning , Mr.
Grant .
Did you go for a run ? Joycelyn asked .
Her face was still scrunched up from the bitterness of the coffee .
Yeah .
What about you ? Why are you up so early ? Ellison asked I went to bed early last night , so I got up early .
Ive prepared breakfast already , too .
Did you want to eat or get changed first ? Joycelyn said .
Im going to take a shower first , Ellison replied .
Sure thing .
By the way , I tried making coffee but couldnt get it right .
Its burnt , Joycelyn said with a pout .
Ellison cast a glance at the bag of coffee beans on the counter .
It was half empty .
Shed obviously tried her best .
I dont drink coffee except at work , he explained .
Oh ? I thought CEOs needed coffee as a pick me up every morning , Joycelyn quipped as she stopped worrying and poured all the coffee shed brewed down the kitchen sink .
2/4 12:56 Mon , Feb 10 O Chapter 18 Then she continued , Give me a bit more time to practice .
Ill make you a good cup of coffee soon .
3 4 / % ( +23 ) Ellison let out a good natured laugh .
When Joycelyn looked over at him , he tried to hide his smile and then made his way upstairs .
There was an effortless ease and harmony in the atmosphere .
Joycelyn basked in that atmosphere .
She liked the feeling of being relaxed at home .
After bringing all the breakfast items to the table , Joycelyn took some pictures before Ellison returned to the dining table .
After they finished their breakfast in that cozy and quiet setting , Joycelyn stood up and started cleaning , but Ellison stopped her .
Leave it .
Someone will clean up later .
And if you want to have breakfast next time , you can get the chef to prepare it .
Joycelyn looked at the empty plates before them and stopped her movements .
Oh .
Is it not good? she asked innocently .
Ellison adjusted his cufflinks and straightened his sleeves .
It was great .
Its just a hassle to prepare meals .
You dont have to spin circles around me to accommodate me , and you dont have to feel bad about it , either .
Just do what you want to do .
Thats what I want for you as your husband .
Joycelyn was shaken to the core .
She looked carefully into Ellisons deep set eyes .
They were as calm as a lake on a still day , yet they also conveyed a deep conviction .
All her life , shed felt as if she had been trudging through a swamp , but now , suddenly , the swamp had transformed into a warm and lush meadow .
She felt something blooming in her heart and spreading to her bones .
It was an unprecedented sense of validation that stemmed from being respected and even favored .
Joycelyn hummed in acknowledgment .
She was embarrassed by how moved she was , so much so that she wanted to cry .
She hadnt felt loved in over a decade , ever since her father died .
I made breakfast of my own volition , though .
Taking care of you is my way of thanking you , Joycelyn confessed .
Help me with my tie then .
Ellison picked up the tie on the chair next to him and gestured it to her .
Sure .
Joycelyn walked over and took the tie from his hand .
Theyd already done things that were much more intimate .
Tying a tie was no big deal .
Lower your head a little , I cant reach , Joycelyn instructed as she stood on tiptoe to slip the tie around his neck .
Ellison lowered his head obediently as Joycelyn stepped closer and popped his collar up .
He felt the warmth of her fresh , sweet breath on his neck , and he swallowed hard .
How do you usually tie it ? Joycelyn adjusted the length of the tie across his chest .
Her neatly trimmed eyebrows were locked in a frown .
Ive never tied one … You can do it , Ellison said patiently .
Joycelyn remembered shed read online that tying a tie could be similar to tying a neck scarf , and she tried to recall the specific steps .
She looped the tie round and round and then pulled at it to make a knot .
Ellison was caught off guard and coughed a couple of times as the tie strangled his neck .
We just got our license yesterday , and youre already asserting your dominance , he said in a low voice and tried to loosen the knot .
It was a dead knot .
Oh my god , Im sorry .
Ill undo it now , Joycelyn responded nervously .
She hadnt expected to create such an awkward situation .
No matter how she tried to pull or pick at the knot though , she couldnt undo it either .
A 12:56 Mon , Feb 10 O Chapter 18 Exasperated , she stepped even closer and used her teeth to bite down on part of the knot .
༥ ༢ 47 % +23 Ellison had tilted his head so Joycelyn could easily reach the knot , but he hadnt realized she would be that close .
Her hair brushed against his neck .
Ellison swallowed again .
His Adams apple was bobbing up and down .
Joycelyns proximity was putting ideas in his head .
He finally found his voice and murmured deeply , Joycelyn … Joycelyn heard his raspy voice and mumbled reassuringly , Ill undo it very soon .
Ellison didnt reply .
Instead , he asked , Why dont we leave for the office a little later today ?