By now, Tessa could tell that the man in front of her was teasing her. “You’re laughing at me!” She glared at him coquettishly. Nicholas held her in his arms and chuckled. “I’m not laughing at you. This is me being happy.” “You’re happy?”
Tessa eyed him curiously. Nicholas smiled. “You said I’m yours just now, and it’s the first time you declared that in front of someone else. You’re also the first person who ever came forward and protected me like that.”
His heart melted into a puddle of goo at the memory of the way Tessa admonished Wanda without hesitation when Wanda was screaming at him and mocking him earlier.
All along, he was the one who protected others. It was his first time experiencing what it was like to be protected by someone else, and it was by the person he loved with all his heart no less.
It was an amazing feeling. He felt as if he was on cloud nine. Tessa could hear the joy in Nicholas’ voice and her heart ached for him.
Everyone else thought that Nicholas was the epitome of someone strong and powerful, so much so that they overlooked the fact that he needed someone to protect him too.
With this thought in mind, she raised her bright eyes and looked at the handsome man in front of her as she declared mischievously, “Since you’re mine now, from now on, I’ll protect you.”
“I’ll be in your care then.”
Nicholas went along with her joke as his love for her blossomed.
His heart stirred at the sight of her breathtaking smile and he couldn’t resist lowering his head to kiss her.
Tessa was startled by the soft feeling against her lips.
By the time she came out of her daze, she looked at him and blushed. She then said with a smile, “Why did you kiss me so suddenly? We’re out in public right now. There could be paparazzi around.”
We’re on the street, and yet Nicholas kissed me without caring whether someone sees us or not! She looked around furtively. Thankfully, she didn’t spot anything suspicious, so she sighed in relief.
After all, she didn’t want anyone to post a photo of her and Nicholas being physically intimate online for all the netizens to see.
That being said, she was still overwhelmed by a warm sensation in her heart. She felt as if she swallowed a jar of honey. She had no idea how adorable she looked in Nicholas’ eyes.
Nicholas tightened his grip around her hand as he bent down and said, “Don’t worry. No one would dare take any photos of us without my consent. So what if we’re out in public right now? I have every right to kiss my wife.”
Tessa gazed into his soulful eyes and her smile grew even sweeter. Up in the hospital room, Wanda saw this very scene.
She saw the woman who had a glowing smile as she leaned into the man’s arms, and the sight of this felt too painful to behold. At the same time, she realized just how pitiful she was Oliver and Tessa’s words kept replaying in Wanda’s mind.
“It’s no surprise that Nicholas doesn’t like a woman as fake and loathsome as you, Wanda.”
“You have much to offer yourself, Miss Muller, so why must you keep obsessing over Nicholas? There are plenty of accomplished people in this world. You can easily find someone who loves you and cares about you.”
Wanda’s eyes glistened at the thought of these words. Horace noticed that something was wrong and came over out of concern. He spotted the lovey-dovey couple downstairs.
“Stop looking at them.” He tried to pull Wanda away, but she didn’t move.
Wanda was rooted to the spot as she stared unblinkingly at Tessa and Nicholas, who were still in an embrace. “Grandpa, do you think I didn’t get the love I desired because my mind is filled with nothing but schemes and plots?” she asked quietly.
Horace didn’t know what to say to his granddaughter. However, before he could say anything, Wanda started speaking again.
“If I’m sincere toward others in the future, do you think someone will love me and adore me like how Nicholas loves and adores Tessa?”
Wanda turned to look at Horace. Their gazes met. All of a sudden, Horace laughed. He could tell that Wanda’s attitude was finally changing, and he was glad.
“Of course. If you’re genuine and sincere, someone will love you the same way too.”
