Chapter 13: A Marriage of Love

Shaun stood motionless for several seconds.

The city's glittering skyline reflected in his dark eyes as Catherine's confession echoed in his mind.

"I think... I've finally fallen in love with you."

For a man who was always calm and composed, those words completely caught him off guard.

A faint smile slowly appeared on his lips.

"Mrs. Hill," he said softly.

"Do you know how long I've been waiting to hear that?"

Catherine blinked in surprise.

"Waiting?"

"You mean..."

"I fell in love with you long before today."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Since when?"

"The first day we met."

"At the bar?"

"No."

"At the hotel lobby that morning."

Catherine frowned slightly.

"We met before the bar?"

"You probably don't remember."

"You were arguing with a receptionist who refused to let an elderly woman check in because she couldn't pay immediately."

"You paid for her room without hesitation."

"Then you quietly left before she could even thank you."

Catherine searched her memory.

Slowly...

She remembered.

"That was you?"

"I was standing nearby."

"Most people show kindness when others are watching."

"You did it when no one cared."

"That's when I became curious about you."

Catherine smiled helplessly.

"And here I thought we met because I got drunk."

"That was simply fate giving me another opportunity."

Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you... for not giving up on me."

Shaun gently embraced her.

"Never."

"Not even once."

The following morning, news of their appearance at the charity gala dominated every business magazine.

Headlines praised Hill Corporation's newest partnership.

But what attracted even more attention was one particular photograph.

It showed Shaun carefully placing the diamond necklace around Catherine's neck.

The caption beneath it read:

"The Chairman Who Looks at His Wife Like She's His Entire World."

Freya immediately called Catherine.

"You're famous!"

"The internet is going crazy over your husband."

"Half the women in the city want a man who looks at them the way Shaun looks at you."

Catherine laughed.

"I don't blame them."

"He's pretty amazing."

"Listen to you!" Freya teased.

"You've completely become Mrs. Hill now."

"Maybe I have."

Later that afternoon, Catherine attended her company's weekly meeting.

Thanks to Hill Corporation's partnership announcement, client requests had tripled overnight.

"President Hill," one manager reported excitedly.

"We've already received invitations from three international developers."

"Our schedule is booked for the next six months."

Catherine smiled.

"Then let's make sure we deserve every opportunity we've been given."

"Quality comes before profit."

"Yes, President Hill!"

As the meeting ended, Hadley unexpectedly arrived.

"Mrs. Hill, Mr. Hill asked me to deliver something."

He handed her a slim envelope.

Inside were two airline tickets.

"Switzerland?" Catherine asked in surprise.

"What's this?"

"Your honeymoon," Hadley answered with a smile.

"Mr. Hill postponed it because he wanted you to settle into your company first."

"He said now is finally the right time."

That evening, Catherine returned home carrying the tickets.

"You planned all this without telling me?"

Shaun looked up from his documents.

"I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Do you like surprises?"

"When they're from you... yes."

She walked over and sat beside him.

"Thank you for always thinking about me."

"It's easy."

"Why?"

"Because you're always on my mind."

Her cheeks immediately turned red.

"Mr. Hill... when did you become so good at flirting?"

"I'm simply telling my wife the truth."

They both laughed.

For the first time since their marriage began, there were no misunderstandings.

No revenge.

No painful memories standing between them.

Only warmth.

Only trust.

Only love.

As Shaun gently held her hand, Catherine looked at the wedding ring she once wore only for revenge.

Now...

It had become the symbol of the happiest decision she had ever made.

Neither of them noticed the phone vibrating silently on the coffee table.

The caller ID displayed a familiar name.

Rebecca Jones.

And the desperate call she was about to make...

Would once again pull both families into a storm neither of them expected.