Though Kyra didn’t directly say it, Russell had enough functioning brain cells to use the context and figure things out. As a result, even as the seconds needle in the clock kept ticking, the shock in his face wasn’t fading away.

The one his father Arnold had arranged a marriage with was Kyra who used to be called the Millenium Beauty of Meadows High School?

Moreover, Russell had just told this woman that he also had a crush on her.

Everything that ran through Russell’s mind made him feel so embarrassed, but he did his best to quickly collect his emotions.

“Uh…” still, he was at a loss for words.

“I take it that you have no issues then?” Kyra asked again since he responded with silence.

“Actually, I…” Russell wanted to tell her about Natasha, and he was gathering his courage. It wasn’t easy because he was afraid of how his father would react if he were to reject Kyra. Even though, looks wise, Kyra was definitely prettier than Natasha, he had a special place in his heart for Natasha. He didn’t want to give that position to anyone else. “The thing is… I already…”

“If it isn’t Kyra Lynn…” a loud voice echoed in the hall. A curly-haired woman came down the stairs, wearing a sparkling blue dress, which she would only wear on special occasions. She was tall, mature, and always had makeup on her face. It was Jennifer. Russell’s stepmom. “The bride couldn’t wait to see the groom, huh.” She laughed out loud.

Hiding her embarrassment, Kyra forced out a smile and stood.

Russell also smiled in a similar fashion.

“My, my, you don’t need to stand, dear,” Jennifer gave a light hug to Kyra. “So, how is our groom? Is he up to your standards?”

“Um,” she netted her fingers and kept pressing one hand against the other.

“He’s tall, but he’s average-looking is what you’re thinking, right?” Jennifer quickly said, with a sharp smile on her face. “Then, you’re not wrong.”

Her words made Russell lower his head. No matter what his stepmom said about him, he could only bear it all.

“Russell’s average in terms of looks,” Jennifer added, “but he’s an obedient guy. He’ll never cross his father’s words, or even mine, for that matter. When he enters your family, I’m sure you won’t encounter any issues because of him.” Jennifer suddenly remembered something. “You two keep chatting. I’ll prepare coffee for you.” Saying that Jennifer quickly left to the kitchen.

Russell slowly sat back in his seat, and so did Kyra. Silence ruled between them. He couldn’t lift his head anymore, as his stepmom had completely made a fool out of him. He just couldn’t lift his head and look in Kyra’s eyes anymore.

Kyra, on the other hand, felt bad for Russell. Even though Jennifer hadn’t spoken much about Russell, she could infer from that little interaction that nobody in this house probably gave weight to Russell’s words, no one except the dog, which technically, stayed outside the building most of the time.

Seeing Russell’s situation, Kyra wanted to make sure about one thing. “There’s another issue I wanted to talk about.”

Russell slowly lifted his head and looked at her. He had to. Appearing weak in front of women was not in his nature, though his stepmom was an exception.

His mobile rang, and the ringtone ‘I’m not an idiot’ kept playing.

Kyra chuckled a little.

He felt so embarrassed by it, but his expression briefly froze after checking the caller’s name. It was Natasha!

His heart fluttered for a second. Was she calling him to apologize to him? But she had to call him now of all times? He didn’t need to answer her, especially after she rejected his proposal, but he never once ignored her calls, and he didn’t want to ignore them now, either. So, he answered, “Hey.” He didn’t mention her name on purpose, not wanting to complicate things unnecessarily.

“Rustless, no, Russell…” Natasha softly spoke from the other side, using his nickname she had given him. He was always active in terms of responding to others’ worries, so she told him that his heart would never rust when she had given him that nickname. “I want you to do something for me.”

“U-Uh,” Russell briefly looked at Kyra who was trying her best to not look at him, “what do you want me to do?”

“Delete all the photos we’ve taken together,” Natasha demanded.

“W-What?” Russell’s heart trembled. He briefly looked at Kyra and forced out a smile. “I’m afraid I can’t do what you’re asking for right now, ma’am.”

“Eh? What are you talking about?” Natasha’s voice suggested that she was slightly getting mad.

“I know, but the situation doesn’t allow me to do so.”

“Bullshit. If you don’t do it, I’ll be forced to tell my father about it. You better delete everything, or…”

“No…” Russell hadn’t said no to her for anything, not as far as he could remember. He put his hand on the speaker and told Kyra, “I’ll be back in a minute.” He walked out of the hall and privately spoke with Natasha and begged her to reconsider. “Please, Natasha. The days I spent with you were the happiest. Didn’t you feel the same? Didn’t you say you loved me more than anything?”

Natasha was rolling her eyes. “Forget it. I know how to make you do what I want.” She hung up.

Russell’s expression froze. Feeling anxious, he returned to his seat, wearing mixed emotions on his face. “Sorry for leaving,” he apologized.

“It’s okay,” Kyra didn’t seem offended, though most women would have probably felt offended. Maybe she was also displeased, but she didn’t show it at least.”It must have been someone important.”

“Yeah. Thanks for understanding.” He smiled as he remembered the first time he met Kyra. He was cringing in pain because a thorn had pierced his palm, and he was struggling to get it out. Kyra came out of nowhere and removed the thorn using a compass. She was beautiful both in and out. No wonder she received an unparalleled title such as Millenium Beauty, he thought. “Um… you were saying something before I got the call?” he picked up the water glass and was having a sip.

“M-Mm,” Kyra pursed her lips and wasn’t able to look him in the eye. Her brows stiffened with stress. Her heart played a strange, guilty rhythm as she squeezed a few words out of her mouth. “Y-Your parents told you that…. I’m expecting a… baby, right?”

“Pfft,” Russell spilled the water on the table, “You’re expecting what?”