Chapter 889
It soon became clear to everyone that Alicia meant nothing to Wade. His heart belonged to Janice,
Bradley came to see Janice several times, begging her to talk some sense Into Wade. Her reply was always the same. “I’m sure his sister would be more than happy to help you with that.”
Each time, Bradley was left speechless.
After three months of wallowing in misery, Wade finally applied for retirement from military service. He took a position at the Garner family’s company brauch in Eldoria, all to remain in the same city as Janice.
Chad was exasperated when he found out. He watched Janice closely for days, but she carried on as usual. Their interactions were still those of the closest friends; she seemed completely carefree and unaffected.
She never sought out news about Wade, and when she heard any, she would simply remark, “I see.”
Janice realized she was like Ariel in that way. She refused to waste time despairing over someone who didn’t deserve her affection. She would always choose what was best for her. Once her mind was made up, she charged forward without dwelling on regrets or what–ifs.
So, news of Wade’s situation left her completely unruffled. She had let go of the past, having practically gone through hell to be reborn as a new person.
In contrast, she noticed Chad had been staring at the same first two pages of an aerospace engineering book all evening. He was so distracted, he hadn’t even realized he was holding it upside down. It was obvious that Wade’s decision to stay in Eldoria was making him restless.
Munching on a chocolate–coated biscuit stick, Janice considered their situation. They had been trying to grow closer as a couple these past few days, though they hadn’t been physically intimate. Janice needed time to adjust from being best friends to being married.
Still, she could tell Chad was deeply bothered and wary of Wade’s presence.
Crunching sounds accompanied her snack as she rose and walked toward Chad. She could have sworn his ears perked up as she moved.
“He can’t even conceal his emotions anymore,” she snickered inwardly.
Leaning against his table where he was reading, she gave his calf a light kick. “Hey.”
Chad seemed utterly focused as he flipped a page. “What is it?”
“I’ll keep it short,” Janice said, pulling out another biscuit.
Chad didn’t look up from his book.
Unhurriedly, Janice said, “I won’t go back to him, even if he shows up every day begging me to. You have nothing to worry about. I have principles.”
Chad stiffened slightly.
Janice knew he was just pretending to be cool and composed. She snorted. “Well, that’s all I have to say.”
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In other words, she was reassuring him that she was committed to building a happy life with him and that he shouldn’t worry.
Chad understood instantly.
Just as she turned to leave, he calmly set the upside–down book on the table.
When she glanced at him in confusion, he grabbed her wrist and gently tugged her onto his lap.
A smudge of chocolate lingered at the corner of her mouth. Unfazed, Chad wiped it away. “Are you ready, then?”
“For what?” Janice asked.
“To deepen our relationship,” he said with a smile.
“No! I can’t!” she cried frantically. “I still need to prepare myself mentally!”
“We can start with holding hands, right?”
“No… Ah! Goddammit! Chad Hockney, are you a dog? When did you turn into such a vile beast? I thought you were my friend, and yet you…‘
Their bickerings didn’t stop.
Eventually, late into the night, Janice finally hit her limit. When she could endure it no more, she delivered a hefty kick to the man next to her.
Chad propped himself up on an elbow and grinned, not seeming the least bit angry. He had always been someone who acted boldly when he spotted an opportunity. However, he was also worried that if he gave Janice too much time, she might change her mind.
“You can’t back out of this marriage anymore, Janice Swanson.”
Janice clenched her teeth but met his gaze. She cleared her throat. “Chad.”
“Hm?”
“Let’s build a happy life together. I’m still not used to this new relationship… but I feel very reassured with you beside me.” Her tone was uncharacteristically earnest.
Chad stared at her quietly for a long moment. Then, suddenly, he pulled the covers over her head and hugged her tightly.
Exasperated, Janice started swearing profusely, though her voice was muffled.
Meanwhile, Chad was beaming. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you spend every second of the rest of your life glad that you chose me.
“Jan, I’ll make you happy for an eternity. You can trust me on that.”
Everyone would come across different paths in life, and not everyone would be lucky enough to choose correctly every time.
Choosing the wrong path or the wrong people wasn’t anyone’s fault. But it was wrong to stubbornly cling to
something once you realized it wasn’t meant for you.
Fortunately, no matter how many paths Janice had taken, Chad had waited patiently for her at the end of the road. He accepted her completely, just as she was. He wanted her and only her.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.