Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3599

"I'll be going now." Nocturne nodded and turned to leave.

Phoebe watched his silhouette disappear before finally turning back inside.

*

The Evert family headed home as soon as the fan meet-and-greet wrapped up.

Charlotte fumed the entire ride back. The moment they stepped through the door, she snapped, "Marina is really something else!"

Rhiannon looked at her in confusion. "Marina is Ashen, a beloved comic artist. What's wrong with that? Why are you so angry, Charlotte? Is it just because my daughter is successful?"

Charlotte's eyes darted away, and she said defensively, "I'm just furious that she kept it a secret from all of us!"

Rhiannon scoffed. "She kept it from me, too, and I'm her own mother. Yet I'm nowhere near as outraged as you are."

Charlotte instantly fired back, "If Marina was Ashen all along, then why did she force Phoebe to apologize?"

Rhiannon's voice turned sharp. "I'd like to ask that as well. Did Phoebe know Marina was Ashen beforehand? Did she intentionally hire people to drag her name through the mud?"

"Absolutely not!" Charlotte denied vehemently.

Rhiannon shot her a cold glare. "I suggest we drop this entire matter. If we dig too deep, who knows whose reputation will really end up ruined."

With that, Rhiannon turned and walked toward her wing of the house.

Charlotte was so furious she looked ready to grind her teeth to dust.

*

It was already evening by the time Marina and Carson returned to his apartment. Having finally met her favorite artists and chatted with them at length, Marina was in incredibly high spirits. Her face was glowing, illuminated by a brilliant, effortless smile.

Carson swept her up into his arms. "Are you really that happy?"

Marina gazed at his striking features. She reached up to cup his face, her eyes dropping to his lips before she leaned in to capture them in a bold, breathless kiss.

Carson chuckled softly. "My afternoon is clear. Just wanted to spend some time with you."

Miranda thumbed her prayer beads. "Marina is a truly wonderful girl. It's time you finally settle down."

Carson's lips curved upward. "I'm already settled."

But Miranda shook her head slowly. "No. Not yet."

Carson frowned slightly before confessing, "Mom, I want to marry her."

Miranda's face lit up with joy. "When? Before the new year?"

Carson smiled, his eyes warm and fond. "I haven't proposed yet. If she says yes, it'll probably be after the holidays. Her whole mind has been on the exhibition lately, and with the new year just over a month away, things are a bit too rushed."

Miranda nodded. "Whatever you decide is fine."

Carson stared ahead, his voice quiet but resolute. "I want to spend the rest of my life with her."