CHAPTER 89: INVITATION TO FOREVER

Mr. Thompson," the woman called out, her voice clear as the distance between them quickly closed.

"Mrs. Walton," Roman nodded slightly, his expression calm and respectful as she returned the gesture with a gracious nod.

"Did you notice how people were whispering?" Julie asked Roman as he settled beside her in the back seat.

He circled his arm around her and pulled her close until her head rested against his shoulder.

From the side, Mrs. Walton was watching before she got into her own car. She smiled to herself and murmured, "Love indeed changes people," before sliding inside.

Azazel, who was never meant to stay quiet in moments like this, piped up confidently from the side.

Julie almost chuckled at the sweetness of the woman, but Roman’s lips only held a faint, unreadable smile at her words.

Roman slowly turned his head to look at Julie, and as their eyes met, the amusement was too much to hold back.

The other nodded without batting an eye, their gaze locked on Roman and Julie. "It is," they said quietly.

His eyes narrowed dangerously as he stared at both of them, his face forming a deadly serious expression—as if he’d just been betrayed by his favorite teammates.

"Oops," she whispered.

He concluded with a warm smile and winked at her.

he said, tilting his head to the side, his tone both sweet and dramatic."People can’t stay angry at someone like you. But if they ever did, I’d teach them a lesson."

Given Roman’s single status and magnetic charm, she’d hoped something might blossom between them. Unfortunately, it hadn’t worked out.

"I’m glad to meet you, future Mrs. Thompson," Mrs. Walton said instead of addressing her by name, a knowing smile lighting up her face—completely unaware that Julie was already married to the very man beside her.

The moment the words left her mouth, both Roman and Azazel burst into laughter again, this time harder than before.

Her brows lifted in surprise. "He can also act the way you do," she murmured out loud without realizing it, letting her thoughts slip from her lips.

"Let’s go in first," Roman said, brushing his hand lightly over Julie’s back as they prepared to head toward the door.

Roman’s laugh was low and deep, while Azazel’s tilted his head back dramatically like someone performing on stage.

"You’re always there to make someone smile," she said warmly, and he gave a proud nod.

Before Roman could say anything in response, Azazel beat him to it.

"Sister-in-law!" Azazel called with a bright grin as he came forward, trying to hug his sister.

The guard nodded.

"What would you like to eat for dinner?" he asked.

"A prominent businesswoman, Mrs. Aliyyana Walton had once tried to pair Roman with her younger sister..."

"You tired?"

She didn’t want too many people linking her real identity to Roman—not yet.

"Julie," Roman called softly.

And instead of hugging Julie, Azazel ended up hugging Roman instead.

"She is nice," Julie commented.

"Of course! Just wait. If I ever get a girlfriend one day, she’ll always be laughing like crazy!" he said confidently, tapping his chest.

But before they could even take a single step forward, a guard approached them quickly and respectfully.

Julie, who had been quietly observing from the side, was taken aback by the sudden change in Azazel’s mood.

Roman shook his head slightly, amused. "Bring her in," he instructed the guard.

"I’m Mrs. Aliyyana Walton," she introduced herself warmly, extending her hand toward Julie.

The drive took about thirty-nine minutes. When the car finally pulled up in front of the mansion’s main entrance, Roman and Julie stepped out, still hand in hand, walking together like they had always belonged.

Roman smiled at her words. "Yes, that’s excellent," he said, then gently shifted closer until he was right beside her.

"And I said you won’t hug my wife," Roman replied coolly, his tone firm—final—not directed at the world, but at his little brother, like a decree only Azazel needed to obey.

"It was thirty minutes ago," Antonio replied calmly.

Mrs. Walton gave her a final approving nod before shifting her gaze back to Roman.

"Sir, Ma’am," the guard greeted, bowing his head slightly as he stood straight again.

"What were you thinking, Sister? We’re damn siblings! Of course I can act the way he does," he said proudly, crossing his arms like he’d just won an award.

How unfair.

At that, Roman turned to look at Julie, whose expression suddenly changed. Her eyes widened with realization.

"Anything. I have nothing on my mind. And you?" she replied.

Seeing them approach, the valet was quick to inform the driver to bring the car to the entrance.

Julie shut her eyes again for a brief moment, as guilt swept over her features.

"Since when did she come?" Julie asked.

"Is that the respectful woman-hater?" one person asked in disbelief.

’ Look at me,’ Azazel thought. Trying to see his reaction, and now I’m the one left dumbfounded.’

In less than two minutes, the sleek car pulled up, and Roman opened the door for Julie to get in before walking around to the other side.

"It’s Ava!" she said quickly, placing a hand on her forehead. "She told me she’d be coming, but I completely forgot. Is she still here?" she asked, voice now slightly anxious as she stepped closer to the guard.

"Explain yourselves!" Azazel suddenly exclaimed, his tone theatrical but his expression unusually sharp.

"People change," Julie said softly, and Roman nodded, finally stepping out of the hall beside her.

Julie smiled at the gesture but said nothing. The weight of the day slowly faded as she sank into the warmth of his presence, her heartbeat quieting in sync with his.

Julie couldn’t help but smile at his words.

"Yes, Antonio?" Roman responded, turning slightly while Julie nodded at him politely with a soft smile.

"I wanted to hug Sister, not you," he said, raising a brow as he looked up at his brother.

But despite how fast he was, Roman had already pulled Julie gently behind him.

"I’m also glad to meet you, Mrs. Aliyyana Walton," Julie responded with a kind yet gentle smile.

Julie only gave her first name, intentionally avoiding her full name.

"She’ll never get angry. Because I’ll always be there. And if she remembers even half of what I used to do, she’ll be laughing like a maniac!" Azazel declared proudly, throwing his hands in the air for emphasis.

Her lips curled into a big smile as she spoke, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

That kind of exposure could attract more problems than she was ready to face.

Julie nodded, pouting. "Yes, I’m tired. But I have to be strong, you know... sit straight so my backbone will be strong."

Even those who didn’t witness the first time Roman had opened the car door for Julie were now catching the scene. Some even let their jaws drop.

"Julie," she replied simply, offering her hand with polite composure as they shook.

Roman smiled slightly at the comment, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Yes. Mrs. Walton has no problem. She is simple, but doesn’t tolerate nonsense. I don’t know what changed today," Roman answered, already surprised by what she did.

Both of them burst into laughter at the same time, their joy echoing through the front porch, leaving Azazel completely dumbfounded.

"Hmm?" she hummed in response.

"Oh, okay. Hmm," Julie nodded, then gave a soft hum, which made Roman glance at her and ask gently:

"I noticed," he said. "And you should get used to it. You are my wife, my strength, my love, my partner—and also my friend."

"Same here," Roman answered, and both of them chuckled quietly.

"I totally forgot... I really hope she’s not angry," she said, clearly upset with herself for neglecting to inform anyone.

"No, bro..." Azazel’s eyes widened, blinking fast. "Wife? Wait—when did the two of you get married?" he asked, eyes darting between them in genuine confusion.

"A woman arrived earlier. She said she came to visit Ma’am," the guard reported.

From a distance, some of the people leaving paused to watch them.

And from the teasing remark she just made, that fact was as clear as day.

"I’m just happy to finally see someone with you after you consistently turned my sister down."

"Hope the invitation card will reach me soon," she said, nodding quickly with a smile before walking away.

He continued, "So that should be normal to you, or else you won’t be able to attend other gatherings just because it feels like the whole world is looking at you."

"I’ll be straight with you," Mrs. Walton began, her gaze zeroing in on Julie with a disarming frankness.

"She won’t dare be angry with you. You’re like an angel. Don’t you know?"

"I’ll take my leave now. You two lovebirds take care," she said, her face glowing with a wide smile as she slowly retreated, walking backward a few steps without turning around.

Antonio gave a nod and turned to go bring Ava in.