Chapter 1464
Chapter 1463:
“Upstairs. I’ll go get them.” She headed toward the staircase, but Elliana appeared on the landing and stopped her.
“Everything’s ready,” she said, extending a carefully prepared folder containing her identification and passport.
When Adah took the documents, Cole came down behind Elliana. Without anyone noticing, he had just sent Manley a message, urging him to come witness the moment.
Manley — a man who lived for drama and excitement — would never dream of missing something like this.
After the papers were submitted, the registrars stamped the marriage certificate. Allan, matching Merlin’s generosity, slid a substantial tip across the table as well.
Those tips alone were enough to cover six months of each registrar’s salary. Beaming, they took their leave, still unable to believe their good fortune.
Meanwhile, Hailee finally felt the fog of confusion begin to lift. She pressed her certificate against her chest, reading it over and over, her fingers tracing the printed details as though she were living a surreal yet wonderful dream.
Merlin settled beside her and draped an arm around her shoulders, gazing at her with tenderness. “Sweetheart, today marks the beginning of the life we’re going to share forever p>
Without thinking, she blurted out. “Mr. Blakely, I’ll be on my best behavior from now on. I promise to listen, stop drinking, and stay out of trouble p>
He threw his head back and laughed. “Silly girl. You’re still calling me Mr. Blakely? It’s time you used my name — or ‘darling.’ Don’t be afraid. I know I can seem harsh, but that’s for everyone else, never for you. All I want is for you to be yourself. I’ll take care of you for the rest of my life p>
Memories of their time together drifted through Hailee’s mind — the first encounters, every small gesture, the intimacy they had just shared. For so long she had feared him, seeing him as someone distant and intimidating. Now she understood that he had always treated her with quiet tenderness. No matter how the world saw him, with her he had only ever been kind.
With the title of Mrs. Blakely in her hands, she finally allowed herself to trust him. When he said he loved her, it wasn’t an impulse or a game — he had fallen for her from the very first moment, enough to envision an entire life together. She felt faith in love reawaken inside her. Trusting the man beside her no longer felt difficult. Boris may have broken her heart, but she no longer needed to keep it locked away.
Warmth blossomed in her chest. With a shy smile, she gathered her courage and whispered. “Darling p>
𝖢𝘩𝗶𝘯𝖾sе 𝗇о𝘷𝗲lѕ 𝗍raո𝘴l𝘢𝘵𝘦𝖽 o𝘯
That single word lifted Merlin’s spirits sky-high. Without caring who was watching, he cradled her face in his hands and kissed her deeply — a kiss charged with fire and devotion.
Allan did the same, shifting his gaze from his certificate to Adah before drawing her into a tender, passionate kiss.
From across the room, Elliana and Cole exchanged glances, stifling groans. When exactly had their house turned into a honeymoon suite?
Just then, Manley burst in and froze on the spot at the sight before him. He had come running, eager to enjoy whatever chaos Merlin had caused, only to find himself facing a tableau ripped from the most saccharine romance novel imaginable. Two couples locked in passionate kisses right in front of him felt like a personal attack. Since when was being single this punishing?