?Chapter 1563:

Jules’ smile waned. “I know,” he said, lighting a cigarette with a flick of his lighter. “And that’s why I’m thankful to Rachel, and I’ll ensure she never suffers.”

Corrine frowned. “She’s invested emotionally in you, and all you offer is gratitude?” she asked.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had spoken more than intended.

Jules and Rachel’s rtionship was theirs to navigate.

Yet, thinking of Rachel, who had ventured alone to this new life without family or friends for support, Corrine felt a sympathetic twinge.

“She’s not marrying you for your gratitude, but for your heart,” she continued, poking Jules’ chest firmly. “Try to empathize with her and understand her situation more deeply.”

With that, Corrine turned and left without looking back.

Jules clutched the spot where she had poked him, lost in thought.

He had always maintained a distance from romantic entanglements to preserve his integrity and avoidplications.

Thus, he found himself inexperienced in matters of the heart.

Now, as Rachel’s fiancé, he recognized his duty, but Corrine’s words had offered him a new perspective to consider.

Just then, Rachel ascended the stairs to call Jules down for breakfast.

She paused at the doorway, noting the unreadable expression on his face. A faint unease stirred within her as she spoke softly. “Jules, Carl and Corrine are waiting downstairs for breakfast.”

Jules snapped out of his daze and lifted his gaze.

His eyes, intense and prating, locked onto hers, as if stripping away everyyer of herposure. Rachel’s heart skipped a beat, her pulse fluttering wildly. She instinctively lowered her gaze, her longshes quivering like butterfly wings.

Jules extinguished his cigarette and adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. “Let’s go.”

Rachel nodded.

As she turned to lead the way, he unexpectedly reached out and took her hand. The sudden warmth of his touch jolted her. It felt like a current pulsed through her veins, awakening every nerve. Her breath hitched as the sensation traveled through her, setting her heart alight.

Startled, she nced at him.

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Jules threw a nce over his shoulder at Rachel, who hadn’t moved an inch, and asked, “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” she replied, shaking her head.fn16d1 The rightful source is /fn16d1

Without another word, he held her hand firmly and walked on.

Trailing behind him, Rachel gazed at their linked fingers. A gentle smile curved her lips, and her eyes glimmered with delight.

There was something different about Jules—perhaps the stoic man was finally bing more attuned to her feelings.

In truth, Jules had simply absorbed Corrine’s words, realizing he ought to be more considerate of Rachel.

After all, she hade to Lyhaton from far away, without kin or friends, relying on no one but herself. As her future husband, he should shoulder the duty of looking out for her.

Downstairs, Carl was attempting to discreetly probe Corrine about her quarrel with Nate, but with Jules’ forewarning, Corrine deftly sidestepped each question.

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