CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88: CHLOE, BE GOOD

「The next day.」

Before dawn, Chloe Preston was already up. She showered, washed her hair, and sat at her vanity, carefully applying her makeup. This was the day they were getting their marriage certificate, so naturally, it had to be taken seriously.

To be honest, she was very nervous. I don’t know why, but I have this bad feeling, as if something is about to go wrong. Maybe I’m just being too sensitive.

"Sweetheart, what are you thinking about?"

Donovan Xavier had walked up behind her at some point. He leaned down, his nose gently brushing against her cheek.

Chloe Preston put down her eyebrow pencil and tilted her head up. Her eyes, bright and clear, looked directly at him. "Are we really getting married?"

"Yes, and that’s no lie," Donovan Xavier smiled.

Chloe Preston withdrew her gaze, lowered her eyes, and smiled faintly. "It feels like a dream."

Donovan Xavier raised a hand, his long, slender fingers tracing her jaw before he pulled her into his arms. "It’s not a dream. This is real."

"Once we get the certificate in a little while, you’ll be my official Mrs. Xavier."

"Once you’re with me, you’ll have no way out for the rest of your life."

Chloe Preston looked at him, her eyes curving as she smiled brightly. "Then you’d better treat me well."

Donovan Xavier’s eyes were brimming with affection.

He leaned in and kissed her forehead, then moved down to kiss the tip of her nose. "Chloe Preston, I will definitely treat you well. I won’t let you regret this."

Then, he picked up the comb and began to gently brush her hair.

Donovan Xavier glanced up at the woman in the mirror, a smile tugging at his lips. "Hmm, our Chloe is so beautiful! Our children will definitely be great beauties, too."

Chloe Preston lowered her eyes and reached out to touch her warm belly.

At this moment, she had a child growing inside her, the man she loved was by her side, and they were about to be married. She felt incredibly happy. If only it could always be like this.

Chloe Preston tilted her head slightly to look at him. "Donovan, after we get the certificate, will you come with me to my prenatal check-up?"

Donovan Xavier deliberately feigned a frown. "Well..."

Chloe Preston crossed her arms and glared at him.

Donovan Xavier broke into a handsome, carefree laugh. "Of course. Whatever my wife says, goes."

A smile flickered in Chloe Preston’s eyes as she huffed lightly. "Hmph. At least you’re sensible."

Donovan Xavier leaned down, his handsome face drawing near. "Since I’m so sensible, shouldn’t I get a little reward?"

A blush bloomed on Chloe Preston’s cheeks, making her look even more radiant. She gave him a little push. "Ahem, you should go get changed."

Donovan Xavier raised an eyebrow, continuing to tease her. "Will Miss Quinn be helping me change?"

Chloe Preston’s lips curved into a smirk. "In your dreams."

Donovan Xavier’s dark eyes narrowed slightly. Without another word, he scooped her out of the chair and carried her bridal-style toward the walk-in closet.

Panic flashed in Chloe Preston’s eyes. She clutched the collar of his robe, struggling faintly. "What are you doing? Put me down! Be careful, you’ll hurt your child!"

Donovan Xavier simply replied, "Changing clothes."

「Nearly two hours later...」

The two of them emerged from the walk-in closet.

Chloe Preston was silent, a pout on her pretty face as she rotated her aching wrists.

That beast.

A faint, unreadable smile played on Donovan Xavier’s lips. He adjusted his cuffs, looking refreshed and thoroughly pleased with himself.

It looked like he had thoroughly enjoyed himself.

He was wearing a crisp white shirt without a single crease. Compared to his usual suits, it lessened his cold, ascetic vibe, but he still looked steady and mature.

"It’s getting late. Let’s go." Donovan Xavier stepped forward, reaching for her hand.

Chloe Preston sidestepped him, deliberately avoiding his touch.

"Mad at me?"

"What do you think?"

Her hands still sore, Chloe Preston turned away from him and walked toward the door by herself.

Afraid she might fall, Donovan Xavier stayed by her side, his hand hovering ready to support her.

He chuckled. "I’ll exercise more restraint next time, I promise."

Chloe Preston just scoffed lightly. As if I’d believe that.

As they walked down the stairs, Donovan Xavier held her hand, his eyes filled with tenderness. In a deep voice, he said, "Chloe Preston, when we have time, let’s have a proper wedding ceremony. Do you prefer a Chinese or Western style? If you like both, we’ll have two. I’ll do whatever you want."

Chloe Preston stopped, her lashes trembling slightly. "What did you say?"

"Watch your step." Donovan held her securely. Just as he was about to speak again, someone started walking up the stairs from below.

"Donovan..."

The woman’s voice was faint and weary as she called his name.

Donovan Xavier froze the moment their eyes met.

The woman seemed to have great difficulty walking, taking each step up the stairs slowly while supported by a servant on each side.

She appeared to be around fifty, with a pale complexion and fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes that made her look older than her years. But she was still beautiful. Every expression carried a captivating allure, and her slender figure remained graceful despite her obvious frailty.

Donovan Xavier immediately rushed to her side. "Mom? What are you doing here? Why did you suddenly come all the way from Portdrey?"

Mom? Is this woman Donovan Xavier’s mother?

Chloe Preston stood there, momentarily stunned.

Wendy Chandler stopped and said softly, "I called you last night, but you didn’t answer, so I took the first flight over."

Donovan Xavier asked, "Is there something urgent you need to discuss with me?"

Wendy Chandler didn’t answer him. Instead, she lifted her gaze, her eyes cold as they flickered in Chloe Preston’s direction.

"And this is..."

Donovan Xavier guided Chloe Preston to stand before her and said in a deep voice, "My girlfriend."

Chloe Preston quickly spoke, "H-Hello, Auntie."

Wendy Chandler’s gaze was sharp and scrutinizing as she looked Chloe up and down without a word.

Donovan Xavier glanced at his watch. "Mom, if there’s something you need to say, please say it quickly. I’m in a hurry."

Wendy Chandler met his gaze. "Where are you going?"

Her mental state seemed stable for now; her emotions were calm, and she was speaking and acting normally.

Donovan Xavier didn’t hide anything. He told her the truth. "We’re on our way to get our marriage certificate."

"Marriage certificate?" Wendy Chandler’s voice turned ice-cold, laced with a hint of malice. "I forbid it!"

"Let me ask you, doesn’t she have a gambling-addict for a father? A lowly family background? Isn’t she constantly saddled with a mountain of debt?"

Donovan Xavier frowned. She’s always in Portdrey. How would she know all this?

For a moment, Donovan Xavier was silent. Then he looked at Chloe. "Be good and go wait for me in the room. I’ll just have a quick word with my mom, and then I’ll take you to the Civil Affairs Bureau."

Chloe Preston glanced at the older woman, hesitating.

"Chloe, listen to me," Donovan Xavier urged.

Chloe Preston pressed her lips together. Without another word, she turned and went upstairs.

She knew he was afraid his mother would say something awful that would hurt her feelings.

Once she was gone, Donovan Xavier leaned against the wall and asked in a low voice, "Who told you about her?"

"Your father," Wendy Chandler replied directly.

"He called me last night. He said you cut ties with the Xavier Family over a woman. He also said that you angered your grandfather so much that he had a heart attack. It’s serious. He’s still unconscious in bed."

She sighed. "Donovan, you’ve always been so level-headed. How could you do something like this? You need to go back right now and properly apologize to your father and grandfather!"

Donovan Xavier’s face was impassive, his voice flat. "I did nothing wrong."

Wendy Chandler glared at him. "You’re still being so stubborn!"

"I bet that little vixen has you under her spell, twisting your head around!"

Donovan Xavier looked at her, his tone unchanging. "My head is perfectly clear. I know exactly what I’m doing and what I want. I am going to marry her."

"Over my dead body!" Wendy’s emotions began to flare, her voice rising with fury. "I will not allow you to be with her! She can do nothing for your future! She’ll only drag you down!"

"I heard the Rowan Family’s eldest daughter has returned from abroad. You’ve had a marriage contract with her since you were children. She’s from a prominent family. You should be with a proper young lady like her!"

A headache began to throb in Donovan’s temples. It was always the same argument with them. Why couldn’t a single one of them just be on his side?

Donovan didn’t say another word. It would just be a waste of breath. He turned to go back upstairs.

Seeing this, Wendy lunged forward, grabbing his arm and yanking him back down with all her might.

"Don’t you go anywhere! I’m not finished talking to you!"

Caught off guard, Donovan stumbled. His foot missed a step, and in an instant, his body pitched forward, and he tumbled helplessly down the long flight of stairs.