Chapter 826

In early November, Elmsworth was graced with the year's first romantic dusting of

snow.

It also welcomed Marilla's twenty-fourth birthday.

Bright and early, Evadne bustled into the hospital with her "glam squad" in tow, ready to give the soon-to-be bride, Ms. Marilla, a stunning makeover.

Her team, including herself, was just three-strong-Camille and Nydia.

But with Camille's styling skills and Nydia's makeup magic, they could give any celebrity glam team a run for their money.

The girls burst into the hospital room, only to find Jareth with dark circles under his eyes, patiently feeding Marilla some oatmeal.

Marilla lit up at the sight of Evadne, her doe eyes sparkling with joy.

Unable to speak, she waved her hand enthusiastically in greeting.

Nourished by Jareth's care, Marilla's once crescent-moon thin face had filled out, her pale complexion now kissed with a rosy glow, adding an irresistible sweetness to her beauty.

Love, it seemed, was truly the best makeup a woman could wear.

Nydia felt almost redundant; Marilla, like her sister, was naturally radiant, her beauty effortless and fresh.

"Evadne, just a sec, let me finish feeding Marilla," Jareth said with an apologetic smile.

Evadne waved him off, "No rush, take your time, we've got plenty."

Jareth carefully skimmed the top layer of the oatmeal with a spoon, blowing on it to make sure it wasn't too hot for her.

The second spoonful he paired with a bit of refreshing greens, worried the plain oatmeal might not be to her taste.

This display of tender care had the three women swooning with a hearty dose of couple goals, grateful they each had their own slice of happiness to stave off any pangs of envy.

Camille's pert nose twitched, "Wow, that smells amazing. What is it?"

"Fish fillet oatmeal?" Evadne's nose was even sharper, guessing the dish outright.

"Oh! That's my favorite!" Nydia's eyes sparkled, as she felt a rumble in her stomach.

"I made plenty, there's more in the thermos if you haven't eaten," said Jareth, offering them to join.

"You made it yourself?" The women were astonished.

Dean waltzed in with a smile wider than if he were attending his own wedding, holding a designer suit for the chairman to change into,

"The live fish was personally selected by Mr. Fairhaven from the market yesterday afternoon—the freshest and the best. He took great care of it overnight. This morning, he prepared the oatmeal himself, and those side dishes too. Wow, Ms. Evadne, you wouldn't believe how skillful our Mr. Fairhaven is at filleting-quick as a chef!"

Jareth shot Dean a look, and Dean instantly fell silent, though his face still shone with admiration.

"All by yourself?"

Evadne's eyes widened in disbelief, "My goodness, what time did you get up to do all this?"

"Just a bit earlier than usual, this isn't my first time," Jareth said, his eyes softening as he gently wiped Marilla's lips with a napkin.

Camille and Nydia were dumbstruck.

They had met Jareth before, more than once, but now, they could scarcely believe that the man before them, domestic to his core, was once Elmsworth's most defiant and proud Fairhaven scion.

He had changed, in every aspect from his gaze to his demeanor. Only his unwavering love for Marilla remained the same.

Marilla heard every word Jareth said, and suddenly her nose twitched with a sour

pinch, tears welling up and spilling out uncontrollably.

Caught off guard by the sudden emotion, Camille and Nydia panicked.

Only Evadne felt a complex pang in her heart as she looked at Jareth. "It's tear incontinence."

Jareth cradled his wife, his large hand soothingly stroking the back of her head. "Marilla's autism hasn't improved yet. But it's okay, I'm with her, and we'll get through it together."

Evadne sighed softly.

How could it be okay? Marilla had already shown immense strength by not breaking down amid such relentless trials.

Had it been her in that situation, she wasn't sure she would have coped as well.

After the meal, Jareth stepped out of the room, giving the girls space to work their magic.

He moved to another room to change into the full suit.

Looking at his reflection, his chiseled cheeks, deep-set eyes, and graying hair, he resembled a pine tree - weathered by the snow yet still standing tall and proud, though the sharp edges of his youth were no longer visible.

Then came a knock on the door.

Jareth opened it with a half-smile, "Thad."

Thaddeus raised an eyebrow, brandishing a plastic bag,

"I've been sent by my lady with orders to dye your hair, Mr. Fairhaven."

Jareth's eyes crinkled with a rare mischievous smile,

"I'm not sure I trust your skills with my hair."

"Then let's take a chance. If it's ruined, we'll call this one on the house."

They shared an easy smile, a moment of lightness they hadn't experienced in a while.

Jareth, draped in a cape, sat before the mirror while Thaddeus patiently applied the dye to his hair.

As strands of gray turned black, Jareth teased, "We promised to grow old together, and here I am, secretly dying my hair."

"Keep it up regularly. Don't think that just because you're married, you can let yourself go. Marilla might just take issue with that," Thaddeus said, trying to sound cheery despite the gravity in his voice.

"Marilla won't mind. I'm more worried you'll get jealous."

Thaddeus looked puzzled.

"Jealous of my higher rank, or that I look more mature and composed, ouch!"

Thaddeus squinted slightly, the comb snagging on his tangled locks, the pain making him wince sharply. "Calm down, bro! I got it, I messed up!"

With his hair freshly dyed, Jareth stood shoulder to shoulder with Thaddeus in the reflection.

It was as if they were transported back to their glory days, when they were the dashing young tycoons of the business world, striding into the spotlight with effortless grace.

"Jareth," Thaddeus' voice trembled with a mix of emotions, "I kinda feel like I'm your dad, sending you off to your wedding day."

Jareth let out a hearty laugh, clapping him on the shoulder, "That's spot on, big bro is like a father!"

Meanwhile, Marilla slipped into the pale pink gown that Camille had custom-made just for her. Long-sleeved, high-necked, and floor-length, it was perfect for fall and winter-vintage yet sophisticated.

Evadne helped Marilla in front of the mirror, where she gazed at her radiant reflection, her eyes shimmering like stars.

"The bust is a bit loose; that's my oversight," Camille, the perfectionist, could spot

the slightest flaw in an instant.

The sickly thin, Marilla looked pitifully frail.

"Marilla's skin complements this shade beautifully. With her long, elegant neck,

the high collar is stunning," Evadne quickly interjected, worried that Camille might whisk the dress away for alterations with no time to spare.

Nydia nodded vigorously, "Exactly, like a swan!"

Evadne giggled, "As for the bust, well, love and marriage will nourish it in time."

Marilla was clueless, but Camille caught on immediately, the two friends exchanging mischievous glances like a pair of cheeky conspirators.

Nydia, though naive, had Jason now, and she got the hint instantly, her face flushing to the base of her neck with embarrassment.

Just then, a knock echoed at the door.

Evadne hurried over, swung it open, and gazed upon Jareth, crisp in his tailored suit, hair perfectly combed, the epitome of dashing. She nodded approvingly, "Looks like my man's got skills."

A bashful Thaddeus lingered behind Jareth, lips pursed in a shy smile.

Thaddeus and Evadne ushered the day's hero into the room.

As Jareth's eyes landed on Marilla, clad in an elegant pink dress with delicate

makeup, his world erupted in a brilliant spectacle.

"Is that my Marilla?" His voice was husky, cautious as he asked.

Marilla's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red, her heartbeat racing as she gave a

timid nod.

"Marilla, truly beautiful."

Jareth's Adam's apple bobbed, his chest flooded with immense joy. He stepped

forward, reaching for her hand to hold it firmly in his.