His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 145

Lumina turned off the tap and shot a sharp look over her shoulder. “There you go, talking nonsense again. Out, out! I need to take a shower.”

Nadia, nudged out of the bathroom, let her sly smile fade. The mischief in her eyes was replaced by something deeper and unreadable.

...

The next day at the flower shop, Lumina was busy at work when Barbara glanced over and suddenly froze, her gaze fixed on Lumina’s neck.

Her eyes widened. “Lumina, come here for a second.”

Setting down her shears, Lumina walked over. Barbara’s hand, trembling with curiosity, reached out to touch the necklace around her neck. “Wow, is this new? Or did that wealthy boyfriend of yours give it to you?”

She lifted the exquisitely crafted little horse pendant, whistling in admiration. “This is a rare find! Must have cost a small fortune.”

“Something like that.” Lumina gave a nonchalant smile. Six hundred thousand dollars, actually, but she kept that to herself—no need to let everyone in on the details.

Barbara smoothed the fine lines at the corners of her eyes, sighing. “You’re lucky, you know. Having a man who actually cares for you, that’s a blessing. Not like me—I’m just an old housewife, my husband’s probably got a mistress somewhere, and I’m stuck doing all the grunt work.”

“At least you have your own business. Relying on yourself feels a lot more secure than depending on a man, doesn’t it?”

Barbara tapped Lumina lightly on the forehead. “You don’t know how good you’ve got it, girl. Women would kill for a man who’s rich, handsome, and treats them well.”

Lumina just smiled and went back to her work.

After her shift, Soren was waiting at the shop’s entrance, right on time.

As soon as Lumina got in the car, he immediately spotted the necklace gracing her slender neck.

His eyes lit up with genuine surprise, and he couldn’t help but gaze at her with bold, smoldering intensity.

Flustered, Lumina pretended to focus on buckling her seatbelt.

But Soren reached over and gently captured her restless hand, holding it in his own. “So, can I take this as a yes?”

With her hands in her pockets, Xyla chatted warmly. “Soren and I went to college together, and I’m a regular at his stables. That little white mare there? She’s mine—been keeping her at his place.”

“I remember her. She’s got a gorgeous coat, really striking.”

“Right? It’s a shame, ever since I opened this clinic, work keeps me so busy I haven’t had the chance to travel back home. These days, I can only see her over video calls.”

Xyla shrugged, her eyes drifting to the pendant at Lumina’s neck. She smiled knowingly. “Looks like you two are getting pretty serious, huh?”

Lumina pressed her lips together and smiled, but said nothing.

Soren slipped an arm gently around her shoulders and grinned at Xyla. “Go easy on her—she’s not used to teasing.”

“Oh, look at you—already taking her side? What if I just say a few nice things about you, is that okay?”

Xyla let out a light laugh and turned to Lumina, her expression sincere. “You don’t have to worry—Soren’s a good man. He’ll make a wonderful, loving partner. Everyone in our circle can vouch for that.”