Chapter 16; Shopping with My Husband

At first, Leon was startled by Claire's unexpected hug, but he gradually relaxed, allowing himself to savor the warmth it brought. The sound of the door opening caused Claire to pull away abruptly. Both turned to see Mae, Grandma Yu, and Old Man Yu standing in the doorway, grinning widely.

"We came to check on Leon. Don't mind us—carry on," Grandma Yu teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"No, Grandma, it's not like that!" Claire stammered, her ears burning red with embarrassment.

"You don't need to explain; we get it," Mae chimed in, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Father was so worried about Leon's health that he thought we'd cancel the festival. I guess we don't have to anymore." Her words seemed to remind Old Man Yu of their purpose, and he turned to Leon with concern.

"Son, are you sure you're well enough for us to start the preparations?" he asked, his sharp eyes scanning Leon's face and posture for any sign of lingering weakness.

"Mn, I'm fine, Dad. You can proceed," Leon reassured him calmly.

"Why wouldn't he be fine? Claire's clearly taking excellent care of him," Mae teased, shooting Claire a wink. Flustered, Claire averted her gaze, nervously scratching her neck.

"All right, you two, let's leave them alone. We need to prepare. Claire, stay with Leon—no need to come out. Now, shoo!" Grandma Yu said, shooing her son and granddaughter out of the room.

Left alone, the atmosphere between Leon and Claire turned awkward. After a moment, Leon excused himself to take a shower while Claire busied herself by taking the dishes downstairs.

After taking the dishes downstairs, Claire returned to Leon's room, expecting him to still be in the bathroom. However, as she stepped inside, she found him already lying on the bed, freshly showered. His damp hair framed his sharp features, and the faint scent of his soap lingered in the air. He glanced up at her and, without hesitation, gestured for her to come closer.

"Sit," he said, patting the empty space beside him.

Claire hesitated for a moment, her heart beating slightly faster than usual. Finally, she complied, settling on the edge of the bed, maintaining a small but noticeable distance between them.

Leon turned slightly to face her, his expression unreadable yet softer than usual. "Claire," he began, his voice lower than usual, almost as if he was unsure how to say what was on his mind.

Claire blinked, surprised by the way he started the conversation.

He exhaled slowly. "I know I can be... difficult. I'm not the easiest person to trust, and I don't always trust others easily, either. But I don't want to keep pushing you away. Not when you were there for me yesterday when I was sick."

Claire remained silent, gripping the fabric of her dress slightly.

Leon ran a hand through his damp hair before continuing. "I don't know if you did it because you had to or because you wanted to, but… thank you." His eyes met hers, unwavering. "I appreciate it."

Claire swallowed, unsure how to respond. If she wasn't careful, she might start believing that this was real—that this growing closeness between them meant something. But it didn't. It couldn't.

Leon didn't seem to expect an answer, though. He leaned back slightly, resting one arm behind his head. His gaze shifted to the ceiling, his voice more thoughtful now. "You know… I talk about my mom sometimes, even though she's gone. It's painful, but at least I have memories of her. But you…" His eyes flickered back to Claire. "You told me your mother passed away, yet you never talk about her. Not once."

Claire's entire body tensed.

Leon frowned slightly. "Why is that?"

The room suddenly felt smaller, and Claire could feel the weight of his question pressing on her. How could she possibly answer? Telling him the truth was out of the question. But making something up too quickly might raise suspicions.

She inhaled quietly, choosing her words carefully. "It's not that I don't want to talk about her," she said, lowering her gaze. "I just… It's hard. I lost her when I was still young, and I guess I just learned to bury it rather than relive it."

Leon observed her in silence, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded slightly. "I get that."

Claire dared to glance at him.

"I won't push you," he said, his voice gentle. "But I hope that one day, you'll feel comfortable enough to tell me about her."

Claire forced a small smile, but inside, she felt a twinge of guilt. He didn't know the truth. He didn't know that she was only here to get close to him—to break his heart.

To change the topic, she quickly asked, "So… what about your mother? What was she like?"

Leon's lips curled slightly, a genuine smile appearing for the first time that night. "She was kind," he said, his voice carrying a note of warmth. "But she was also sharp and had that fiery jovial personality like Mae. She never let my father get away with anything, no matter how powerful he was. I admired that about her."

Claire listened intently.

"She loved the autumn festival," he added. "Every year, she'd make sure I had something new to wear, even if I told her I didn't need it." His smile turned slightly wistful. "She always said that celebrating tradition was a way to keep moving forward."

Claire tilted her head. "That's a beautiful way of looking at it."

Leon hummed in agreement, then turned to her. "Speaking of the festival," he said, his eyes gleaming slightly. "Since it's tomorrow, I want to take you shopping."

Claire blinked. "Shopping?"

"Yes."

"But I already have enough clothes that i bought when I went shopping with Mae."

Leon shook his head, smirking. "Doesn't matter. You're getting something new."

Claire sighed, but there was no real resistance behind it. "You're persistent."

"I am," he agreed easily. "And I always get my way."

Claire scoffed but didn't argue further. She knew there was no use.

"Fine," she relented.

"Good," Leon said, looking pleased. "Let's go, I'll take you to one of the best designer stores."

Claire wasn't sure if she should be excited or wary. But either way, she knew that tomorrow would be another step in this dangerous game she was playing.

And as much as she told herself she was only here to break his heart… she couldn't deny that, for a moment, it almost felt real.

———

The sleek black car pulled up in front of an exclusive high-end boutique, its golden sign gleaming under the afternoon sun. The entrance was grand, framed with polished glass and intricate gold accents, the kind of place where only the wealthiest clientele shopped.

As Leon stepped out of the car, the glass doors immediately swung open, and a line of well-dressed sales girls stood at attention. Their postures were straight, their smiles professional yet eager to please. The moment they recognized him, their heads dipped in deep bows.

"Welcome, Mr. Yu!" one of the senior staffs greeted with practiced enthusiasm. "It's an honor to have you here today."

Leon gave a curt nod, his presence commanding without the need for excessive words. Claire followed beside him, her posture relaxed but her mind on high alert. She had never stepped into a store like this before, and the weight of so many eyes analyzing her sent a prickling sensation down her spine.

Then, in a calm, unhurried voice, Leon said, "I want something special for my wife for the Autumn Festival."

Silence.

The sales associates stiffened, their perfectly rehearsed professionalism faltering for a split second.

Wife?

Their wide-eyed stares flickered toward Claire, scanning her from head to toe with barely concealed surprise. When did Leon Yu, the unattainable heir, get married? And why—out of all the dazzling socialites and heiresses in the world—was this ordinary-looking woman the one he chose?

The moment of hesitation was brief, but Claire caught it. She wasn't offended—she was used to people underestimating her—but it still irritated her.

Regardless, the staff snapped into action. "O-Of course, Mr. Yu! Please, right this way," one of them stammered before motioning for others to prepare.

In an instant, racks of luxurious dresses were wheeled into the showroom, each piece more extravagant than the last. Gowns made of delicate silk, embroidered with intricate gold thread; modern, sleek cheongsams adorned with pearls; flowing hanfu-inspired dresses in the richest autumn hues. The boutique left no stone unturned in presenting their best.

"Madam, these are our finest pieces," one of the stylists said, offering Claire a half smile. "Please feel free to select anything you like."

Claire exhaled, her fingers lightly grazing the edge of a silky fabric. Everything here looked like it belonged in a royal palace—far too elaborate for what she had in mind.

She turned to Leon, her expression neutral but firm. "I just want something ordinary and comfortable," she said. "Something free and easy to move in."

Another pause. The sales girls exchanged discreet glances, as if she had just spoken a foreign language.

"Mrs. Yu, this is a special occasion," one of the sales ladies interjected, her tone slightly condescending. "You need to look your best to fit in—"

"What are you implying? That she doesn't fit in?" Leon cut her off sharply, his tone cold and authoritative.

"N-no, young master! I only meant that she was rejecting your offer," the lady stammered, bowing her head in panic.

"My wife was talking to me. Who are you to interrupt?" Leon demanded, his deep voice resonating with quiet power.

The sales lady paled, bowing lower. "I'm sorry, young master," she murmured, then turned to Claire with a pleading expression. "I apologize, young madam. I misspoke."

Leon, on the other hand, ignored her and turned to Claire who was still reeling from Leon's protective response—and the casual way he'd referred to her as "my wife" He leaned in just a fraction, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Ordinary doesn't suit you, Claire."

She arched a brow. "It suits me just fine."

Leon exhaled through his nose, shaking his head in mock exasperation before turning to the stunned sales team. "Find her something elegant but simple. Nothing excessive."

The staff immediately nodded and rushed to adjust their selection, now carefully picking pieces that fit Claire's request without compromising on quality.

As Claire browsed through the newly selected dresses, she could still feel the lingering curiosity of the boutique staff. She wasn't blind—she knew that to them, she didn't fit the image of the woman Leon Yu should be shopping for.

And yet, here she was.

I'll try this one." She picked a random dress and hurried into the dressing room.

Inside the room, Claire stood before the mirror, absently smoothing the fabric of the dress. Yet, her thoughts were elsewhere. The words my wife echoed in her mind, making her chest tighten. No matter how she tried to rationalize it—telling herself it was just part of their agreement—her heart refused to listen.

"Claire, stop overthinking," she muttered at her reflection. "You're supposed to make him love you, not fall for him yourself." Shaking off the thought, she took a deep breath and stepped out.

By the fifth dress—a red lace gown adorned with delicate embroidery—she caught everyone's attention. The rich crimson fabric complemented her jade-like complexion, making her look almost ethereal.

Leon stilled, his gaze lingering on her as if transfixed. Even the sales ladies, momentarily forgetting themselves, couldn't hide their admiration.

"I really like this one. Is it okay?" Claire asked hesitantly, fiddling with the hem of the dress under Leon's unwavering gaze.

He seemed to snap out of his trance. "Mn. It's good. If you like it, we'll take it."

Her face lit up with a wide smile. "Thank you so much!" She rushed back to change out of it.

As they stepped out after purchasing the dress, Claire glanced at Leon who was holding the shopping bag, for reasons she couldn't explain, standing beside Leon in this moment made her feel… something.

She shook the thought away. This was all temporary. She had to remember that.

But Leon, standing there with his unreadable gaze and unwavering presence, made it increasingly difficult to keep that truth in mind.