CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 87: GETTING THE MARRIAGE LICENSE TOMORROW

"You! You!"

Caleb Xavier stood rooted to the spot, watching Donovan’s retreating figure. His heart ached as if it were being torn in two.

The next moment, his strength gave out. He collapsed and fainted.

"Dad!" Ian Xavier rushed forward to support him, panicking. "Dad, wake up!"

「Dusk.」

After finishing her work at the shop, Chloe Preston was escorted back to the Xavier Residence by a group of bodyguards.

Housekeeper Wallace came forward to greet her. "Madam, you’re back."

"Mm," Chloe nodded, massaging her temples. She felt a bit weary.

"Is Donovan home?" she asked as she walked inside.

Housekeeper Wallace pursed her lips, hesitating to speak.

"What is it?" Chloe asked, looking at her.

"Sir... he doesn’t seem very happy," Housekeeper Wallace said. "He’s been locked in the study ever since he got back."

Chloe paused. "Where did he go today?"

"The Xavier family estate," Housekeeper Wallace answered solemnly.

Chloe said nothing more and continued walking.

Upstairs, outside the study.

Holding a bowl of noodles, Chloe raised her hand and knocked gently.

"Go away!" A deep, familiar voice came from within.

Chloe paused for a few seconds before opening the door and walking in.

Donovan Xavier was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. Tall and imposing, he gazed outside with a cigarette held between his fingers, wreathed in smoke.

Hearing the noise, he turned around, annoyed. "Didn’t I say—"

When he saw it was her, the look in his dark eyes softened. "You’re back."

A strong smell of smoke filled the room. It was so overwhelming that Chloe couldn’t help but cough a few times.

Seeing this, Donovan immediately extinguished his cigarette. He stepped forward, took her hand, and led her out of the room. "Sorry, the smoke must have bothered you."

Chloe shook her head. "It’s okay."

She returned to the bedroom with him. After closing the door, she handed him the bowl. "I was worried you might be hungry, so I made some small wontons. Have some."

"Have you eaten?"

"Mm."

Donovan didn’t take the bowl. Instead, he pulled her over to sit on the sofa.

He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Are you going to feed me?"

"Alright," Chloe agreed.

Then, she asked with feigned nonchalance, "Did you go to the Xavier family estate today?"

Donovan nodded slightly.

Chloe picked up a spoon and stirred it gently in the bowl. With her eyes lowered, she asked softly, "Did you argue with them again because of me?"

Donovan reached out and stroked her hair. "That’s not it. Don’t overthink things."

Chloe lightly pursed her lips.

They fell into a long silence. She would feed him a spoonful, and he would eat it, neither of them speaking a word. A light rain began to fall outside the window.

After a while, Donovan looked at her, his dark eyes deep and profound, and softly called her name. "Chloe Preston."

"Mm? What is it?" Chloe put the spoon down.

Donovan paused for a few seconds before leaning in and placing a kiss on her forehead.

He spoke, his voice low and pleasant with a hint of huskiness. "I checked the calendar. Tomorrow is an auspicious day for a wedding."

"Chloe Preston, let’s go register our marriage."

In an instant, Chloe’s mind went completely blank.

What did he just say? Register our marriage? Tomorrow?

Seeing her silence, Donovan asked gravely, "Do you have reservations?"

"No," Chloe replied. "It’s just... this is all so sudden."

Clenching her fists, she looked at him. "Have you really thought this through? Do you... do you really want to marry me?"

A small smile touched Donovan’s lips. "I’ve never considered marrying anyone but you."

At his words, Chloe’s eyes began to redden and fill with moisture. She took a sharp breath. "Then I have to tell you beforehand—once you marry me, you can’t take it back."

"You have to be my man for the rest of your life."

Donovan’s brows quirked up as his lips curved into a grin. "I couldn’t ask for anything more."

"And we won’t get a divorce, right?" Chloe added.

Donovan’s smile vanished. He raised his hand and flicked her on the forehead. "Chloe Preston, we aren’t even married yet and you’re already thinking about divorce?"

"Remember this: once we’re married, it’s for life. There will be no divorce."

Chloe rubbed her forehead. "Oh."

"But, the Xavier family..." They dislike her so much. Would they ever agree to their marriage?

"Don’t worry about them," Donovan said simply.

He reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his head in the crook of her neck. "Chloe Preston, from now on, you’re all I have." His actions at the Xavier estate that afternoon had effectively severed his ties with them; he would never step through that door again.

"You absolutely cannot leave me," he murmured.

The hug was so tight it was almost suffocating. "Donovan, don’t hold me so tight. It’s hot."

Donovan loosened his arms, only to grip her chin and lower his head for a kiss.

The kiss was forceful and aggressive, a relentless assault that left her no room to resist.

"Mmph..."

Chloe was forced to yield, and her body went soft.

But Donovan felt it wasn’t enough. His hand moved down to lift the hem of her dress.

Chloe firmly pressed his wandering hand down. The corners of her eyes were flushed red as she gasped, "You’re getting carried away again. I’m still carrying your child. We can’t do this."

Donovan buried his face in her neck, inhaling her pleasant scent. His breathing was heavy and ragged. "Mm, I know. I won’t touch you."

"Not for the first three months," Chloe insisted. "You have to control yourself."

Donovan took a deep breath and chuckled softly. "I’ve already waited four years. Three months is nothing."

"Chloe Preston, I can endure it."

"It’s getting late. I’ll take you to the bathroom so you can wash up and get to bed early. We’ll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau first thing in the morning to get the paperwork done."

As he spoke, he carefully swept her up into his arms and strode toward the bathroom.

Chloe wrapped her arms around his neck and shot him a playful glare. "A bath is fine, but you’d better keep your hands to yourself and not try to take advantage of me."

Donovan smirked, his voice hoarse. "I’ll try..."

The bathroom door clicked shut.

On the table, his phone lit up with a call. The caller ID read: Mom.