Chapter 333

At that moment, Cora’s father gave a calm, knowing smile. He looked at his daughter—not just as his child, but as a woman standing at the edge of something important.

“Well,” he began softly, “I know you’re a lady. And I understand… you want to protect your pride, your dignity, your heart p>

Immediately Cora lowered her eyes.

Her father’s voice remained gentle, but firm with meaning.

“But Oliver actually said more,” he added. “He told me that he didn’t just want to fix things. He didn’t just want forgiveness. He said he wanted all of this to be real p>

He looked directly at Cora now.

“He said he wants to be your man p>

Her breath caught.

“He wants to be the father of your unborn children,” her father continued, his tone low and sincere. “He wants this family… to grow. He wants everything that surrounds you, Cora p>

Cora’s heart was pounding. She could feel Oliver’s quiet gaze still fixed on her, unmoving, waiting.

Her father stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“As your father,” he said, “I’ve seen men lie, pretend, act strong when they’re weak. But Oliver he’s proven to me, more than once, that he’s not faking this. I believe him. I believe he’s telling the truth p>

He took a breath, then added, “But still, I’m not going to force you. Like I’ve said before I’ll never force you into anything p>

His eyes didn’t blink as he spoke his next words.

“That’s why I’m asking for your consent, your choice p>

He held his gaze on her.

“This is the last time I’ll ever ask you this, Cora,” he said with finality. “Do you actually want Oliver to be your boyfriend? And not just your boyfriend your husband to be p>

He paused. “Do you have any feelings for Oliver… feelings that could grow into something that lasts p>

The silence was sharp.

Cora slowly turned her eyes to Oliver. He looked calm but his hands were clenched tightly by his side. His brows were slightly furrowed. He wasn’t playing. Not this time. The weight of his intentions was clear, even without words.

She swallowed hard, even though she had told herself over and over again that they were just friends…

Even though she had tried her best to lock away the feelings she didn’t want to confront…Seeing Oliver’s face now.

Hearing her father’s words, It was like everything she had buried was rising again, no longer asking for permission.

Yes. She liked Oliver. She had always liked him.

She loved him, but then again… she wasn’t sure.

She didn’t want their relationship their friendship to become something fragile and awkward. She didn’t want the closeness they had built for years to shatter into regret. That was why she had kept it hidden. That was why she had swallowed her heart and buried it deep inside her chest. That was why she never wanted all of this to go this far.

But now… here she was again, In that same place.

That same situation, to decide what she really wanted for herself.

At that moment in time, without wasting another second, Cora slowly nodded her head.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice trembling softly, but clear. “I want Oliver p>

There was a brief silence in the room. It was as if time paused just to let those words hang in the air. Oliver didn’t hesitate. He took a single step forward, his eyes locked on hers, and then without saying another word, he pulled Cora gently into a warm embrace.

His arms wrapped around her as if trying to shield her from every bad memory, every moment of doubt, every wound of the past. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered close to her ear. His voice cracked slightly. “For everything. Everything that has happened between us… I’m sorry p>

He held her a little tighter.

“I never meant to hurt you. I know we’ve had misunderstandings. But please… let’s put everything behind us. From now on, we start fresh. You and me p>

Cora didn’t reply immediately. Her eyes closed in that moment, as if silently searching her heart for peace. And slowly, she returned the hug.

She didn’t need to say much. That one gesture said it all.

Her father, who had been standing quietly, watching the two of them, finally stepped forward. There was a look of peace on his face relief, even. With a slight nod, he said calmly, “Well… I’ll be taking my leave now p>

He picked up his phone and added, “I need to go oversee the arrest of Festus and his son… that good-for-nothing Clinton… has finally been exposed. And Oliver—” he glanced at Oliver with genuine appreciation—”did everything to make sure of that p>

Cora’s eyes widened slightly. “Wait… what?” She turned to Oliver. “So you… you were behind that p>

Oliver met her gaze without flinching. “Yes,” he said simply. “I did p>

Cora blinked, still trying to process it.

“I couldn’t let him keep getting away with hurting people especially not you. So yes, I gathered the evidence, I tracked his moves, and I exposed him. He’s been charged with embezzlement, threats to life, attempted kidnapping… and more. By now, he should be well on his way to prison p>

Cora stared at him for a moment longer, then gave a tiny nod, lips parting slightly in disbelief.

She was still absorbing everything when Oliver, looking slightly hesitant now, added, “Well… I know this is a lot to take in. And I know you might get mad at me for saying this now, but p>

He paused.

“I’m actually Mr. B p>

At that moment, hearing what Oliver just said, Cora’s whole body froze. Her eyes widened, lips parted, and for a few seconds, it was like time stood still. She could barely form her words as her voice came out in a whisper.

“So… you are Mr. B p>

Oliver looked her directly in the eyes, his gaze calm but serious. “Yes,” he said, his voice low but steady. “I’m Mr. B p>

Cora took a step back like her legs had lost strength. Her mind raced, memories flooding in—how Mr. B had been behind so many things: protecting her, handling threats, getting justice, making people disappear quietly, and always one step ahead. She remembered the sleepless nights she spent thinking about who this mysterious person was. She had tried everything hiring people, tracking leads, offering money to anyone who could bring her closer to the identity of Mr. B.

And all this time… he was right beside her? Pretending? Watching her? Comforting her?

“You’ve got to be joking,” she said, her voice shaky, eyes blinking fast. “All this time, all this while I was stressing, losing sleep, trying to figure it out. You were just standing there like nothing was happening p>