• 𝐂hapter 41

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By evening, after having several more conversations with Maggie about Killian and then her two children, I went into my room for a nap and then saw her off around sometime during sundown

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By evening, after having several more conversations with Maggie about Killian and then her two children, I went into my room for a nap and then saw her off around sometime during sundown.

After my shower, I settled on the living room couch in my comfy casuals.

I sat crossed-legged in front of the Tv and shoved a bunch of Cheetos in my mouth when a tired-looking version of my supposed husband walked in through the front door.

He glanced my way for a quick second before focusing on taking off his shoes.

I hid the pack of Cheetos behind the fluffy square cushion and wiped my mouth. "Welcome back."

He hummed a reply and walked in and I didn't fail to notice the gift bag that swayed at his side. He placed the back of his hand on my head. "The fevers gone."

I smiled. "All thanks to Maggie."

He nodded in agreement and then pulled his hand away. "Have you had anything to eat?"

I nodded. "Filled to the brim."

"Well," Instead of speaking right away, he stretched his arm out and displayed the gift bag. "It's for you."

I blinked, slowly retrieving the bag and looking down at the brown paper parcel in it. "You got me something?"

He nodded.

Cautiously, I fetched the parcel and looked at him for a brief moment before opening it, and inside I found a leather box containing six seemingly identical old cloth-covered books.

What the—

I inspected the books closely, six of Austen's most renowned novels were in my hands, and honestly, I had a mixed reaction. I picked up the one titled Emma and opened the front cover that bore a dedication – to the then Prince Regent, the future King George IV.

My heart skipped a beat as I looked back up at him. "Are these first editions?"

When he nodded, I felt my airway constrict. They most likely caused a fortune and wouldn't have been easy to secure all eight.

My mouth slacked. "Killian these cost a fortune."

"Trust me. I can afford it."

I looked down at the books, unable to fathom my situation. "But-but how did you know. I mean—" I was dumbfounded. My heartbeat spiked and I thought I was panting but it was just my imagination.

"You had a lot of books in your room last night so I figured you liked reading."

"I didn't know you paid that much attention to me."

"Well, I do. More than you think. And there's more."

"More?"

"I called in a favor with Mr. Jay Ives, today and —"

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