Chapter 398

"How did you get my passcode?" Sophia narrowed her eyes.

Julian waved his phone. "You told me yourself when you were drunk at the bar last time."

"Impossible." Her voice was firm.

"Bad temper and worse memory." He shrugged. "Need me to recount the details of that night?"

Sophia grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him.

Julian sidestepped with practiced ease.

She reached for another pillow but found empty air.

"Looking for this?" He produced it from behind his back like a magician.

Her eyes widened. "When did you—"

"Second time." He held up two fingers. "This is your second attempt at pillow-murdering your husband."

Sophia scoffed. "What time is it?"

"Ten-thirty." He sighed. "Someone spent two hours on makeup."

"Meeting my future mother-in-law requires preparation." She extended her hand. "Water."

Julian handed her a glass of warm water.

Her fingers barely touched the surface before she frowned. "I want ice water."

"Ice water in the morning?" He looked appalled.

"Did all your exes drink lukewarm water?" Her lips curved mockingly.

Julian choked.

"Isn't bubble tea served cold? Isn't sashimi raw?" She padded barefoot across the carpet. "Since when is warm water the hallmark of a good woman?"

"So you're the bad one." The words slipped out.

Sophia snatched a slipper.

Julian backpedaled. "Changing it now! By the way, those two cups by the bed—"

"I use them. Problem?"

His face suddenly lit up. "Be right back!"

Sophia watched his retreating figure with bewilderment.

When she emerged in a sapphire dress before the floor-to-ceiling window, sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains.

Julian froze in the doorway, breath catching.

Backlit, she was gilded in gold, the skirt swirling in a perfect arc as she turned. Sunlight traced her delicate collarbones before tapering at her waist.

His pulse roared in his ears.

Thump. Thump.

Condensation dripped from the iced glass in his hand, trickling between his fingers.