Chapter 323: Chapter 323

"Enough!" She loosened her arms, trying to slide down from him, but his arms held her waist tightly, giving her no chance to escape.

"Honey, say it once more, just one more time."

His seriousness made her a bit embarrassed. She raised her eyebrows, speaking in a strange, playful tone. "I wuv you!"

"Ah... Kris Cooper, you’re so annoying!" She pouted, her gaze landing on his hopeful amber eyes. Taking a deep breath, she spoke earnestly, "Kris Cooper, I love you."

As soon as she finished speaking, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Vera." Holding the small figure in his arms tightly, Kris Cooper’s voice was filled with unconcealable emotion. "I love you too... I love you so much!"

For the past six years, not a moment had passed when he wasn’t thinking of her. He had often wondered what he would do if he encountered her again someday. He’d imagined acting coldly, as if he’d never known her; he’d thought of mocking her with sarcasm; he’d even considered slapping her hard across her small face... But the moment he truly met her again, he realized this person had never left his heart. He couldn’t be cold to her. He couldn’t lose his temper with her, let alone lay a hand on her. ... This little thing who had tormented him until he almost lost all his fighting spirit—he just wanted to place her in his palm, to hold, protect, and dote on her, just as he did back then. This "I love you," after six long years, was far more precious than the one from six years ago.

He held her soft body tightly, his arms cinching ever tighter, ignoring his phone as it rang incessantly and annoyingly. Chapters fırst released on novel★fire.net

At this moment, he only wanted to hold her tight.

The man’s arms were incredibly tight, as if he wanted to pull her into his very body, merge her with his bones and flesh, desperate to become one with her. Vera, held tightly, had her face pressed against his chest. The buttons of his shirt dug into her cheek, a slight, stinging pain. Yet, the sound of his somewhat rapid heartbeat so close to her ear stirred an indescribable emotion within her.

The wind blew from the canal outside the villa, rustling their hair and clothes. Under the setting sun, the couple stood like a sculpture. Heads leaning together, hair entwined, the hem of her skirt brushing against his trouser leg... Their long shadows merged completely into one, making it impossible to tell one from the other.

"Vera!" After a long moment, Kris Cooper spoke softly again. "I’ve waited so long for you to say that."

An unfamiliar emotion bloomed in her heart—sweetness mingled with an indefinable ache, excitement tinged with a pang of tenderness for him.

Lifting her face from his chest, she gazed into his deeply affectionate eyes and let a soft smile touch her lips.

"Actually... I think I might have fallen in love with you a long time ago, it’s just... I... I wasn’t entirely sure..." She gave a little, embarrassed laugh. "Sorry, Hubby!"

"It’s okay." His lips curved into an incredibly doting smile. "It’s okay, Vera. As long as you’re by my side, nothing else matters."

Lifting her arms, Vera stood on tiptoe to hug his neck tightly, pressing her face against his.

"Hubby, from now on, I’ll love you with all my heart."

Kris Cooper bent down, making it easier for her to embrace him, his large hand gently stroking her long hair.

"From now on, we’ll cherish each other."

"Yes," she agreed softly, smiling as she nodded against his neck.