Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

"Julia, you're really breaking my heart. I thought that whether it was a day off or a busy day, you were always mine," Glades Horne said with a deliberately woeful expression, his voice low and husky.

"Glades." Sometimes this man really…

Julia Bluen suddenly couldn't find the words to describe this man she had known for twenty-six years, a man she thought she understood very well, yet in reality, had never truly fathomed.

Being with him, she had discovered many sides of him that others didn't see. Like right now, he looked every bit the rogue, nothing like his usual self. He seemed more like a man consumed by jealousy, as if she were spending time not with the old lady, but with his rival in love. Seriously! The old lady was his own grandmother!

"Grandma, your order has been given; your grandson wouldn't dare to disobey. I'll take my dear wife for a romantic time first. Grandma, if you need anything, just let Aunt Mei help you," Glades Horne said, pulling Julia Bluen up. He gave the old lady a mischievous wink, and she chuckled heartily, waving them off as if shooing away flies, urging him to go be romantic with Julia.

"Glades..." Julia was pulled along by him, looking back at the old lady with an apologetic expression in her eyes as she walked.

Watching the young couple walk further and further away, the old lady's laughter grew even more cheerful.

"Glades actually winked at me just now! The rascal hasn't done that in over twenty years. His love for that Julia girl is deeper than the ocean before us," the old lady said contentedly.

Uncle Ying and Aunt Mei smiled and nodded in agreement.

The scenes of the young master and his lady together were always so sweet, the envy of everyone. Even an old couple like them couldn't help but reminisce about their own younger days when they saw it.

Seeing the young master and his lady made them feel decades younger.

"If only we could enjoy this family happiness every day, that would be so wonderful," the old lady said with a sigh after her laughter. As an elderly woman, what she most desired was to have her children and grandchildren around her, to enjoy the simple bliss of family.

"Old Madam, with the young lady's filial piety, she will certainly find time to accompany you. And with the young master so attached to his lady, such family joy is no longer just an extravagant hope for you," Uncle Ying reassured her from behind.

The old lady just smiled, but her eyes concealed a flicker of worry.

She hadn't forgotten Mila Anderson and Adele Horne's dislike for Julia Bluen.

Glades Horne walked with Julia Bluen on the beach, his possessive hand already wrapped around her waist, pulling her body forcefully into his embrace. This elicited a protest from Julia, who jabbed his side with her finger. "If you want to break my waist, you don't need to resort to this, do you? With those powerful hands of yours, one SNAP! and I guarantee you could break it."

Glades Horne chuckled, loosening his hold slightly, but still kept his arm around her possessively. There were many people coming and going on the beach, and he didn't like the way other men looked at Julia. He was simply asserting his sovereignty; she was his wife, and no one else should even think about coveting her.

"Julia, have I ever said one particular thing to you?" Glades Horne asked, guiding her to a dry patch of sand where they sat down. He turned his head to look at her deeply, his seriousness catching Julia off guard. He had said so many things to her; how could she possibly know which particular sentence he meant?

"I don't know which sentence you mean. All I know is that you often say 'Julia... Julia...' and things like that, sometimes like an old woman," she said playfully.

The smile on Glades's lips deepened. From head to toe, his entire being exuded indulgence for Julia. His gaze grew intensely passionate, resembling a fathomless abyss filled not with darkness but with love—dense, intricate, a web of affection. He leaned in, his strong, heavy frame pressing towards Julia, his low, husky voice rich and magnetic, as if resonating from the heavens, "Julia Bluen, I, Glades Horne, love you. I love you so very much!"

He had never expressed such profound, heartfelt words of love before.

Now, facing the beautiful seascape, influenced by the couples around them, the sea of his emotions churned, his feelings becoming unbearable, compelling him to confess his deep affection for her.

"It seems like you've said you loved me before," Julia responded with a teasing air. She tilted her body, hooking her arms around his neck, her eyes both flirty and shy. On this crowded beach, she still felt a bit embarrassed.

"But I've never said it quite like *this*," Glades said, tightening his grip on her waist slightly. Julia wobbled and fell into his embrace, instinctively letting go of his neck.

"Julia, do you love me?" Glades asked. He hadn't wanted to be so direct, but he couldn't resist asking.

He waited for her response with eager anticipation.

She was married to him, his wife in name and reality, but had she truly fallen in love with him?

Julia didn't answer.

Her silence made Glades tense, and he couldn't help but hold her even tighter, growling, "Julia, I won't let go!"

What was all this?

Why this talk of not letting go?

She hadn't said she didn't love him, much less that she wanted to leave him.

What was he getting so worked up about? Where had his usual composure gone? Had the sea swallowed it whole?

But... his obvious concern for her made her words betray her teasing thoughts, and she blurted out, "If I didn't love you by now, I'd be an idiot!"