Chapter 446
Orion had secretly adored Xanthea for fourteen long years. Even on Xanthea’s coming–of–age ceremony, Orion couldn’t resist finding an excuse to attend. He didn’t want to miss the most important moment of her life.
Amidst the crowd, the young woman radiated an enchanting beauty in her shimmering sequin gown, her thick, wavy hair cascading down her back like seaweed, her figure outlined by the dress’s delicate straps. Her smile, bright and inviting under the sunlight, made her resemble a dazzling mermaid, captivating everyone’s gaze.
His once pure angel had transformed into a mesmerizing nymph. Every smile, every movement was as captivating as poppies, making him dizzy with infatuation.
He stood in a dim comer, quietly observing as she cut the cake, danced with friends, delivered a speech, and then, a bit tipsy from drinking, run alone to chased butterflies in the garden.
“Little butterfly, don’t run! Don’t run, little butterfly!”
“Little butterfly, I’m Xan, what’s your name?”
She stumbled over to an iris, tilting her head in a confused yet utterly adorable manner that brought a smile to his face, reminding him of her childhood innocence, so endearing he wanted to hold her tight.
But in the next moment, she fell into the lake.
“Xannie, be careful!”
He leaped into the water and pulled her out.
In the cold, clear waters, she clung to him, her eyes briefly meeting his with a familiar warmth that shook his soul
He carried her ashore, anxiously performing CPR until she coughed up water and her heartbeat gradually stabilized. But he couldn’t stop himself. He kept kissing her, savoring her sweetness, lost in an unparalleled happiness, until she opened her eyes.
But when Xanthea awoke, she saw Matthew.
Over the years Matthew had been a constant presence, caring for her with dedication and pursuing her relentlessly.
Despite her efforts to respond to him, feeling a vague sense of affection and familiarity for her “Matt” something always felt off. She realized she was drawn not to him but to the name “Matt,” linked to a blurry, dissimilar figure from her memory.
Recently, that figure had started to take shape in her mind, transforming into a little boy. He had secretly attended her concert, remembered his lonely figure sitting on the steps in the rain, remembered singing a song for him that he liked, remembered how happy she felt when she was with him, but she couldn’t recall his face.
Conflicted and unsure if Matthew was indeed that boy, it wasn’t until he rescued her from the lake that a strong sense of familiarity confirmed her deepest feelings.
It was him, the one she had cherished in her memories.
“Xan, are you okay?”
“Mati!”
This time, when Matthew proposed again, she didn’t refuse.
The news of the marriage alliance between the Nightshade and Martinez families reached the Lockwood Group while Orion was in a meeting. Cedric noticed the moment Orion heard it his expression blanked,
The powerful magnate, who could turn the tides in the business world with ease, seemed utterly defeated in that instant, his complexion pale and his eyes hollow with a bone–chilling coldness, as if everything had lost its meaning, his steps faltering as he walked away.
“Boss, you alright?”