My Extraordinary Wife

Ashlyn smirked, her eyes sparkling with confidence. She asked Ian, “What happens if I win? Will you promise to treat my friend then, Old Mr. Leno?”

Her confidence piqued Ian’s curiosity.

Young people don’t have the patience to sit through a checkers match. He did not believe she knew how to play at all.

“Fine. If you win, I’ll treat your friend.”

As he spoke, Ian stepped onto a stone path in his yard and strode toward the round table under the shade of grapevines. His white hair fluttered in the breeze.

Ashlyn followed closely behind and sat opposite him.

Then, she placed the board on the table and arranged the intricate emerald checkers pieces on it.

Sunlight dappled on the checkers through the thicket of grapevines. The soft illumination brought out the stunning glow of the Cat’s Eye Emerald.

Ian’s cold face seemed to soften a fraction as he observed the scene.

was his favorite thing in the

and living away from his family, the checkers set before

his expression and invited him to begin.

her and ran his finger over one of the beautifully carved Cat’s Eye Emerald

did not refuse his offer and settled her slender fingers on one of the

appearance was at complete odds

pieces swiftly and shrewdly, attacking while defending

Ian, who was totally surprised

thought he would easily defeat Ashlyn in

at his opponent’s talent, Ian upped his game and planned his moves more

the tight match

as he reorganized the checkers, asking, “You could’ve won by a wider margin. Why did you choose

promise. And I

expression paled. He asked, “How could a young lady like you solve the

I promise I’ll solve it for you. I may be

stopped before his vegetable patch. “I swore never to treat another patient again, but since I have lost this bet, I’ll

sleeves. Then, she stepped into the vegetable patch and began

since she seemed like a pampered socialite to