Chapter 236: No One Prepared Me

That wouldn’t do. Wyatt gripped Yunice’s chin and took control, deepening the kiss.

Yunice’s fingers slid down the back of his neck, tugging at his collar until she popped off two buttons, then slipped her hand inside. Wyatt let out a low breath and opened his eyes to look at her. What was she trying to do?

Water clung to Yunice’s lashes as she looked up at him, calm and composed. “Wanna play?” she asked.

A jolt ran through Wyatt’s gut. He stared at her intently, but didn’t make a move. Yunice’s hand continued exploring under his shirt, reaching for his belt. But the moment her hand brushed his waist, Wyatt pulled her firmly against him.

Both of them were soaked, their clothes clinging to their skin, revealing hints of color beneath the fabric. With one hand, Wyatt covered the small of her back, pinning her tightly to his chest. He exhaled hard. “Don’t test my patience.” He was barely holding on.

Yunice didn’t say a word. Just looking at her was enough to scramble his senses. Wyatt lost control, hands slipping under her shirt—then, just as suddenly, he broke away.

Yunice was breathless, confused by the distance he’d created. Wyatt let go. “Next time,” he said. He turned the water from cold to warm, then stepped out and shut the door.

Yunice stood alone under the still-running shower, water pouring around her. Through the foggy glass, she could see Wyatt leaning against the door outside. Her breath slowly began to steady. She stepped under the spray, took off her clothes, and washed up.

A few minutes later, she cracked the bathroom door open and asked, “Do you have anything I can wear?”

By the time Yunice came out wrapped in a towel, Wyatt had taken the bathroom for himself. A staff member brought up a change of clothes. Yunice unfolded the dress—princess-style. Wyatt seemed to have a soft spot for that look.

After changing, Yunice sat at the vanity to curl her hair. It had been a long time since she’d dressed up properly. The puffed skirt was lovely, and curls suited it. Wyatt came over, wearing a robe and drying his hair with a towel. He stood behind her. Neither of them mentioned what had happened in the bathroom.

Yunice didn’t care what Wyatt thought. In that moment, she just wanted to relieve the pressure.

“Move in with me. Pavilion Hall,” Wyatt said, leaning over her chair, eyes meeting hers through the mirror. The wedding was in four days. It didn’t really matter when she moved in. Yunice turned to him and nodded.

Wyatt stared at her for a long time, finding her soft pink lips more tempting than ever. Their eyes met—then Yunice’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen. “It’s Carl.”

Wyatt stepped aside as she got up, her skirt swaying as she moved. The moment she stepped out, she saw Bale and Amyra standing nearby, looking downcast. They hadn’t even cleaned off the soot and ash from their bodies.

Yunice paused and followed their gaze—Wyatt had just walked out behind her. Amyra was quick to speak. “This wasn’t my fault. I don’t even know how the fire started.”

Bale added, “We checked the footage. The wind blew a cigarette from the trash can onto the carpet. It wasn’t arson, we swear.” They really didn’t get it. The fire hadn’t been that big, and no one had been burned—so why had Yunice completely fallen apart, too paralyzed to even help herself?

“It wasn’t their fault,” Yunice said. Amyra glanced at her, then lowered her head. From across the hall came the click of high heels. Hua…

Wyatt looked down at Yunice. “Go on.” Carl was here for her, not for him.

Carl sat across from Yunice. “I’ve got two things for you—one good news, and one… well, you’ll have to decide whether it’s good or bad. Which one do you want first?”

“The good news.”

“I got you a dowry.”

Yunice’s fingers froze. She looked at Carl, eyes softening with emotion. She’d never dared hope for a family to see her off—much less prepare a dowry. Elsie had gotten one. Back then, Lily had thought the Powell family was marrying Elsie, and she’d gone all out, buying her lavish gifts and obsessing over every wedding detail. Once they realized the bride was Yunice, no one mentioned a dowry again. No one even offered to help her with the wedding.

So Yunice had always told herself—she didn’t have a family.