Chapter 2306

Whether by coincidence or not, far away in Tudela, Jocelyn was dreaming too.

In her dream, she had married Nicholas—and they even had a child together.

When she woke, a hollow feeling opened up inside her.

She couldn’t explain it. Too many emotions rose at once, refusing to settle.

She turned her head.

A small child slept beside her.

On the other side of the child lay her husband, Yannick.

Still half-asleep, Yannick looked strikingly handsome. Sunlight fell across him, softening his features and making him seem even gentler.

A faint smile touched Jocelyn’s lips before she realized it. She reached out, brushing her fingers over their son, then moved her hand to Yannick’s cheek, stroking it lightly.

Sensing her touch, Yannick lifted his hand without opening his eyes. He caught hers and pulled her into his arms.

“Are your hands cold? I’ll warm them for you.”

His movements were effortless, instinctive.

Jocelyn watched him quietly. The way he treated her wrapped around her like warmth.

But almost immediately, another thought pressed in.

Why had she dreamed something like that?

She had a child now. A husband who loved her deeply, treated her well—someone good in every way.

So why Nicholas?

And why had she even dreamed of marrying him?

Jocelyn had never believed Nicholas truly liked her.

Just then, Yannick slowly opened his eyes. “Why are you up so early? Did the baby wake you?”

He glanced at their son. The child was still fast asleep.

Yannick sat up, gently lifted the baby, and placed him in the cradle beside the bed.

Then, as naturally as breathing, he leaned back and pulled Jocelyn fully into his arms.

Her face flushed.

“What are you doing so early? Put the baby back—I want to hold him.”

Yannick shook his head, clinging to her like a spoiled child. “No. I want to hold my darling. That little brat will have plenty of chances later.”

He tightened his arms around her.

“Listen—we’re the ones who’ll grow old together. That kid will grow up, get a wife, and probably start ignoring you.”

He paused, then added softly, “But I’m different. I won’t ever dislike you. When you’re old, I’ll be old too, right?”

Jocelyn looked at him and let out a helpless laugh.

“Alright, I get it.”

Yannick pulled her closer.

“Honey, can we sleep a little longer? I had a nightmare.”

“Hm? What kind of dream?” she asked.

“I dreamed you married someone else… and didn’t want me anymore.” His voice dropped. “It scared the hell out of me. I still haven’t shaken it off.”

Jocelyn froze.

Could it really be that much of a coincidence?

Had they somehow shared the same dream?

But in her dream, Yannick hadn’t been there at all.

Only Nicholas.

She had no idea what Yannick had seen.

“Yannick… what exactly happened in your dream?”

He hesitated, then said, “It was just… you marrying someone else. That’s all. I don’t remember the rest.”

That wasn’t true.

He remembered everything—clearly.

In the dream, Jocelyn had married Nicholas.

No matter how hard he tried to stop it, he couldn’t.

And when he looked at her, she looked back like he was a stranger.

Something dimmed in Yannick’s expression.

Maybe this was all it was—what lingered in a man’s mind during the day finding its way into his dreams at night.

He had always known Jocelyn didn’t truly love him.

She had married him because the timing was right, and they fit well enough.

He also knew she had admired Nicholas for years.

Someone like that… might be impossible to replace.