My Bratty Wife

Suzy stirred, the soft rustling of fabric and the faint sounds of movement pulling her from sleep. She turned her head, her eyes still heavy with sleep, and found Ryan’s side of the bed empty. She looked up and saw him standing near the mirror, already dressed and preparing for the day. The morning light streamed through the window, illuminating his figure, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw and the gentle curve of his smile. He was adjusting his cravat, his movements precise and efficient.

When his eyes met hers, he smiled warmly. "Good morning, my Duchess," he said, his voice soft and affectionate. "You know you should be out of bed by now."

Suzy groaned softly and rolled onto her side, moving to the edge of the bed. She let her head fall back onto the mattress, her eyes gazing up at the ceiling. "I don’t have the energy to do anything," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

Ryan stopped what he was doing, his expression immediately shifting to one of concern. He turned to her, his brow furrowed. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

"I’m fine," Suzy replied, her voice slightly stronger. "I just... I don’t have the energy to deal with those ladies."

"Those ladies?" Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The ones at the afternoon tea," Suzy clarified, her voice filled with a hint of dread. "Do I really have to go?"

Ryan smiled, a gentle, reassuring smile. "You have to," he said softly. "You accepted the invitation."

Suzy sighed," but they don’t like me." Her gaze still fixed on the ceiling. "I’ll only go if you give me a kiss," she said, her voice teasing. "Because I’ll need it to..."