Chapter 0691
While Peter’s plans were slowly unraveling in Valentia, in the Maldives, Serenity and Alden, along with their small family, were living a peaceful life. Time flew by, and Laura’s pregnancy was just a month away from completion.
Serenity watched her sister with concern, her thoughts consumed by the baby’s impending arrival. For some strange reason, Laura hadn’t wanted to know the baby’s gender. She wanted it to be a surprise, a decision that drove Alden to the edge of his nerves.
Alden liked having everything under control, and Laura loved disrupting that control. He had repeatedly asked her to find out the baby’s gender, but she flatly refused.
H
“It’s going to be a surprise. We’ll know when the baby is born,” Laura would always reply.
Serenity and Alden’s nightly routine remained the same. Once everyone went to bed, they’d slip out and return before dawn.
That night, Serenity lay halfway across Alden’s chest, lost in a thought that wouldn’t leave her alone.
“Alden…”
“What is it, my love?” Alden asked as he played with her hair.
She lifted her face to look into those eyes she loved so much and said:
“I’m worried.”
“About what?”
“What’s going to happen when we have to go back to Valentia?”
Alden understood her fear. He had felt it himself before. He wrapped his arm tighter around her, pulling her closer, and said:
“Do you love me?”
“You know I do!”
“Well, I love you too. And that’s all that matters to me. If they don’t accept our relationship, they’ll have two choices: accept it or reject it. But you and I will stay together. Besides, Ethan likes you. The three of us could start a new life, far away from our families. We could come back here or live anywhere in the world you choose.”
“Are you serious?”
“Why would I lie? My father has taken care of me and my son, and he has his fortune, but I have mine too. Starting over doesn’t scare me.”
“Really?”
“Of course! You make me feel like a teenager again. I don’t even remember the last time I didn’t feel like an old
man.”
“Alden, you’re not old… You’re only 24.”
“Well, spending time with Theodore and my father? Trust me, that pair makes you pick up some very peculiar habits.”
“I like you just the way you are.”
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“What do you like about me?”
“Everything.”
“What do you like the most?” Alden asked, starting to tickle her.
“Hey! Stop! Stop it! You’re taking advantage of this poor, defenseless woman!”
“Defenseless? There’s nothing defenseless about you. Who was it that said she was hormonal?”
“In my defense… I am hormonal. And you looked so sexy today arguing with Laura about her baby…”
“Well, I have to admit, I’m completely sexy.”
“Oh wow, a little vanity!”
“Tell me, wasn’t it my charm that won you over?”
“What charm?”
“All of me.”
“You’re such an egomaniac!”
“Maybe, but you still fell for me. True or false?”
“Well… I can’t deny it. You’re attractive, but not the most handsome.”
“What did you just say? You’ve stabbed a dagger through my heart! I’m bleeding out from the pain…”
“Drama queen.”
“}
“No! You’ve truly wounded me with those words…”
“Alden, stop being so dramatic!”
“You need to give me a good reason to forgive you.”
“What? Why?”
“You hurt my heart and my ego. That’s not something I can forgive so easily.
“Stop being dramatic! What can I do to make you forget about it?”
“I don’t know! You hurt me deeply!”
“All I said was that you’re not the most handsome!”
”
“And look at that–you’re saying it again! Imagine what we’re going to tell our grandchildren when they ask how much their grandmother loved me.”
“Alden! Are you seriously thinking about grandchildren?”
That subtle declaration made Serenity’s cheeks flush bright red. She felt caught off guard.
“Of course.”
It wasn’t until Alden said that single “of course” that he realized what he had just admitted. He took a deep breath and sat up, gently laying Serenity back against the pillows.
“Serenity Bartz Hunter, you’re an incredible woman. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and above all, complicated. I
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love you. I need you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. But I don’t know if you want to spend the rest of your life with me…” Alden said, his voice steady and full of conviction.
Serenity stared at him, looking into his eyes. All she could see was her reflection and the warmth that only he could give her.
“Do you want to spend your life with me?” Alden asked, leaning closer.
Serenity looked at him and, without hesitation, said:
“I want to spend my life with you! Never doubt it!”
“I love you, Serenity,” Alden said, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “Hey, but I didn’t give you a ring! I wasn’t prepared for this!”
“A ring isn’t necessary. Just being with you is enough for me.”
“I know!” he said, touching the chain he wore around his neck. “This chain was a gift from my mother. It’s always been with me, and it has a medal of a guardian angel…‘
Alden took off the chain, lifting Serenity with one hand to clasp it around her neck. “I’ll give you this until we can buy a proper ring…”
“Alden, it’s not necessary. I’m happy just being with you.
“Maybe, but you need something to remind you that I love you and that I never want to lose you. That’s what this medal means. Is that okay?”
>>
Serenity replied, tears in her eyes, sealing the promise with a tender yet passionate kiss.
“I love you, Serenity Bartz Hunter. Never forget that. Whatever the future brings, we’ll face it together. Never- hear me–never will I leave you alone.”
