“You seem familiar with this ce?”

    she asked.

    Geoffrey paused, ncing sideways at her. “Because I knew you’de back.”

    Maureen had no idea that during her absence, Geoffrey would often drive to this ce alone, hoping to find her waiting.

    Over time, he arranged for staff to clean and maintain it regrly.

    Maureen stared at his stern profile: “Why?

    What if I really died?”

    Geoffrey pursed his thin lips tightly, answering only after a long pause:

    “You said you couldn’t ept defeat.

    How could you bear to die?”

    How could you bear to die?

    Maureen inwardly scoffed bitterly, stepping forward as she murmured aloud.

    “You’re truly overconfident.”

    She realized her past submissiveness had given Geoffrey the illusion she’d never leave him.

    He’d certainly believed that initially, but now his certainty wavered–hence bringing her here.

    “Let me show you something.”

    Geoffrey led her toward a bedroom, pushing the door open at the threshold.

    When the room’s contents came into view, Maureen teared up instantly.

    Rooted in ce, she stood frozen in disbelief.

    The bedroom was surprisingly packed with Juan’s belongings from his lifetime, including a

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    painting Juan had done of Maureen.

    After Juan died back then, Noelle and her brother Adrian ran thepany poorly and had to auction off all the valuable things in the house.

    Since returning to the country this time, Maureen has been trying to find her father’s belongings, especially this painting.

    In the painting. Maureen was just over ten years old, sitting on the balcony in a white dress, holding a big bouquet of flowers, smiling andughing.

    Maureen walked over step by step, looking at the painting, and thought of her father with white hair all over his head.

    When he was painting her, his kind face.

    Maureen reached out and gently touched the painting, her voice choked up: “I thought I’d never find this painting again.”

    Because it was painted by her father, it wasn’t valuable.’

    She never imagined Geoffrey could find it.

    Seeing Maureen’s reaction now, Geoffrey knew he had given the right thing.

    He walked forward step by step: “You can take all these things back to Pearl.”

    Back to Pearl, not away.

    He just wanted to make Maureen reluctant to leave as much as possible!

    Maureenposed herself, turned to look at Geoffrey, her eyes full of gratitude: “Thank you.”

    “Don’t cause trouble anymore in the future, whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”

    Geoffrey said.

    The noise…

    Maureen’s eyes dimmed slightly as she gave a vague nod

    Geoffrey then produced a ck card, holding it out to her.

    “Use this however you want.”

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    Back when she’d married him before, he’d always had Wayne handle her living expenses.

    But only after she left did he discover she’d never touched a cent Wayne sent.

    Maureen stared at the offered card without joy, shaking her head.

    “No need. I have money.”

    His hand hung in midair. After a silent beat, he added, “We’re married now, aren’t we?”

    “This is my sry card.”

    He wasn’t sure if husbands were supposed to do this.

    Maureen epted it. After this month, they’d owe each other nothing anyway.

    Since agreeing to one month of marriage, Geoffrey seemed transformed–demanding daily hugs, kisses, hand–holding…

    It felt like they’d truly entered marriage, not just a marriage in name only.

    After three days in Small Town, they returned to Karaville. At eight sharp, Geoffrey drove her to the riverside for fireworks.

    At eight, fireworks bloomed across the night sky.

    People were scattered around in small groups. Maureen and Geoffrey stood together, a perfect match. At that moment, they looked like a married couple to outsiders.

    Maureen watched fireworks blooming across the night sky. An impulse seized her–to tell Geoffrey the truth, to tell him that Ethan was his child…

    But before she could speak, Geoffrey’s phone rang. Andrea was calling.

    Maureen didn’t catch what Andrea said, but she saw Geoffrey’s face tighten with urgency as he turned to leave

    She stepped in front of him. “You promised no one would disturb us these days”

    “We’ll talk when I get back,” Geoffrey said

    Maureen grabbed his sleeve. “If you leave now, I won’t keep my promise.”

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    She wouldn’t agree to y at being his wife for a month.

    Geoffrey pried her hand off finger by finger. “Andrea’s in the emergency room. Critical

    condition.”

    “I’ll send a car for you.”

    With that, he drove off, leaving Maureen alone on the pavement.

    She watched the taillights vanish into the night. No sadness came–only the bitter taste of foolishness. She’d almost believed he’d changed. Almost told him about their son.

    Thank God she hadn’t.

    Bang!

    A brilliant firework bloomed and vanished in the night sky.

    Nearby, a girl clutched her boyfriend’s hand. “We’ll be together forever,” she vowed.