Chapter 228

 228:
The woman in the photograph had a soft, serene beauty, the kind that reminded Linsey of a warm spring morning.
“Collin, your mother was stunning,” Linsey murmured, her voice filled with admiration. She turned to him, her eyes briefly meeting his strikingly handsome face.
Now, Linsey understood where Collin got his remarkable good looks from. Collin stared at the photograph of the woman, his gaze filled with a mix of emotions too complex to name.
He pressed his lips together, his voice quiet but laced with bitterness.
“It’s a shame she fell for the wrong man and ended up dying with regret.”
The sorrow in his voice tugged at Linsey’s heart. Without thinking, she crouched beside him and gently took his hand. “Collin, whatever happened in the past is behind you now.” She couldn’t bear to see him in pain.
A faint, bitter smile tugged at Collin’s lips. “It’s been years… I’ve long forgotten what sadness feels like. After all, I never even got to meet her. I just feel sorry for her. Grandma always said my mom was talented, well-read, graceful… I wonder, if she hadn’t married my father, would she have lived a different life? Would she have survived giving birth?” As he spoke, a mocking laugh escaped his lips. “It really wasn’t worth losing her life for a man like that.”
Linsey sighed quietly, her heart heavy. “Love can be blind,” she said softly.
Collin turned to look at her, and the gloom on his face slowly faded, replaced by warmth and tenderness that filled the space between them.
“You’re right,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity. “But my greatest blessing was meeting you.”
Linsey’s face flushed instantly, her heart fluttering. Smiling, she teased, “At first, I thought I’d end up stuck with Felix, that scumbag. I never imagined I’d meet you. Looking back, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
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She lifted her gaze to meet his, her tone serious yet full of affection.
“Collin, I’m just as grateful to have found you.”
Linsey paused, her thoughts swirling for a moment before she spoke softly. “Maybe our meeting was destined—like a wish your mother left behind for us.”
Collin gave a small nod, his expression thoughtful. “I believe that, too.” He gently squeezed Linsey’s hand, then turned his gaze back to the photograph on the tombstone. In a quiet but resolute voice, he said, “Mom, I’m married now. This is Linsey, my wife. She’s a remarkable woman, and we’ll be happy together, I promise.”
His words, simple yet profound, made Linsey’s heart flutter.
A warm blush spread across her cheeks, but her chest felt lighter, as if something unspoken had been confirmed.
Collin was her husband—her partner in everything now.
With a thoughtful pause, Linsey gently bit her lip before meeting Collin’s gaze. Then, turning to the photo of the woman, she said with quiet sincerity, “I’m Linsey. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Her voice softened as she added, glancing at Collin and then back at the photo, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him. If anyone dares to hurt him, they’ll regret it.”
Collin chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Shouldn’t I be the one protecting you?”
Linsey huffed lightly, her tone playful but filled with affection. “Who says wives can’t protect their husbands? I just want to let your mother know she can trust me.”
The two of them shared a brief, tender moment, then turned their attention back to the tombstone. They cleaned it together, the silence comfortable.
After a moment, Linsey clapped her hands together, her brow furrowing as she looked around. “It looks a bit plain like this.” She glanced at Collin, her eyes thoughtful. “Did your mom like flowers?”
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