C107 A Secret Between Two Hearts

This was the first time Chris had ever seen Sarah this serious. Even during everything that had happened in France, she had never worn such a troubled expression. The cheerful confidence that usually surrounded her was gone, replaced by uncertainty.

She looked around to make sure no one was nearby before taking a deep breath. "Chris," she said quietly, "I think we might have a problem." Chris frowned. "What problem?" A second later, he smiled mischievously. "Don't tell me you want us to break up before I even get the chance to confess."

Sarah blinked in surprise. "You were going to confess?" she asked. "Confess what?" Chris scratched the back of his head before nodding. "Yes." He smiled awkwardly. "I've actually wanted to confess my feelings for a long time. The reason I traveled to England was because I planned to tell you how I felt... but instead, I ended up attending your graduation." Sarah's cheeks immediately turned pink. "Your feelings?" she asked softly. "Or do you just feel guilty because we slept together?" Chris immediately shook his head. "No."

His expression became unusually sincere. "It's not because of that." He looked directly into her eyes. "The time we've spent together... everything we've been through... made me realize how much you mean to me. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you." He laughed helplessly. "But you are my superior. Every time I wanted to tell you, I convinced myself it wasn't the right time." He sighed. "Anyway... what was it you wanted to tell me?"

Sarah smiled faintly. "So that's how you confess?" She folded her arms and pretended to think. "If your real confession is going to be that simple... then I would gladly reject you." Chris chuckled before taking a step closer. "No." His voice became firm. "Sarah... you know the bond we've built together." He paused. "Even when I lie down to sleep, you're still the last person on my mind." "I don't just like you." "I see you as the woman I want beside me for the rest of my life."

Sarah lowered her head, unable to hide the blush spreading across her face. "But..." she whispered, "you know my brother is against your best friend." She looked up at him. "What if he opposes us too?" She hesitated before asking the question that had clearly been bothering her. "And if we got married one day... would you fight against my brother for Mike's sake?" Chris froze. That question had crossed his own mind countless times. Whenever he imagined confessing to Sarah, he always reached that same impossible question.

After a long silence, he smiled gently. "What we have isn't something that should be controlled by anyone else." He reached for her hand. "If that day ever comes..." "I'm sure my recently graduated genius will come up with a solution." Sarah raised an eyebrow. Chris laughed. "I don't know whether that solution will benefit Wood's IT company as the company's second-largest shareholder..." "...or benefit me as your boyfriend." "But knowing you..." "You'll find a way."

Sarah smiled despite herself. "We'll see." Then, almost instantly, the smile disappeared again. Her expression turned serious. "Chris..." She looked away awkwardly. "When we were in England..." "...did you use protection?" Chris blinked. "What?" "You expected me to walk around carrying those things everywhere?" Sarah covered her face in embarrassment. "I know..." She took another deep breath. "But..." "My monthly cycle is late."

Chris remained silent. "There is a possibility..." she continued softly, "that I might be pregnant." She quickly raised her hand. "But don't misunderstand." "It could simply be delayed." "I'll only know for sure in about two weeks." Chris's smile slowly disappeared. His eyes widened. "You mean..." "...you might be carrying my child?" Sarah nodded shyly.

The next second, Chris wrapped both arms around her. He hugged her so tightly that Sarah could barely move. Fortunately, no one happened to walk outside at that moment. "Chris..." She laughed while trying to breathe. "I said it isn't confirmed yet." "We'll know after two weeks." Chris couldn't stop smiling. "I don't care." He laughed happily. "Even if it's only a possibility..." "...there's no rejecting me now."

Sarah looked up at him in disbelief. "I've been nervous for weeks," Chris admitted. "I kept thinking you'd reject me because our family backgrounds are completely different." He smiled confidently. "But now..." "No chance." He pointed at her playfully. "You're mine now." Sarah couldn't help laughing. "You're unbelievable." Chris suddenly became thoughtful. "I just hope our families will accept us." Sarah immediately shook her head. "No." "It's too early."

She looked around carefully before lowering her voice. "For now..." "Let's keep this between us." She paused. "I mean it." "No Mike." "No Alicia." Chris made a disappointed face. "How am I supposed to celebrate without telling my brother and sister?" He laughed. "Besides, I told them about England before, and they kept our secret." Sarah rolled her eyes. "Whatever." Chris smiled helplessly. "Is that a yes?" Satisfied, Sarah nodded. "If you trust them that much."

The two of them composed themselves before returning to the wedding hall together. The moment Alicia saw them walking in, she immediately smiled. She leaned toward Chris just enough for only him to hear. "So..." "Fresh air?" Chris sighed. "I knew you were going to say that." Alicia laughed quietly while Sarah pretended she hadn't heard anything. She walked back to Samantha and tracy.

Meanwhile, after several rounds of video games, Laura and I finally decided to call it a day. "I should head home," she said softly. "I'll walk you." The afternoon sun was beginning to fade as we walked side by side along the quiet streets. Neither of us spoke for several minutes.

Eventually, I broke the silence. "Laura..." She looked at me. "If your father really insists on arranging a marriage for you after... what happened today..." I hesitated. "Won't he hate me even more?" Laura smiled gently. "If that day ever comes..." She reached for my hand. "...I'll still be happy." I looked at her, confused. She squeezed my hand lightly. "Because I chose to give my first kiss..." "...and my first time..." "...to the person I truly love." My heart skipped a beat.

For a moment, I couldn't find the right words. Instead, I simply pulled her into a warm embrace. Neither of us wanted to let go. Eventually, a taxi approached. I opened the door for her. She climbed inside before lowering the window. "I love you," she whispered. "I love you too." The taxi slowly disappeared down the road, leaving me standing there long after it was gone.

Back at the Wood family wedding, the ceremony was gradually coming to an end. Guests began saying their goodbyes one after another. Georgia quietly observed the interactions around her. One thing continued to surprise her. The relationship between her granddaughter and Mary and Valeria. It wasn't ordinary affection. It was genuine admiration. The two older women treated Alicia almost like a daughter they had always wanted.

Before leaving, Mary gently held Alicia's hands. Her eyes suddenly fell on the bracelet wrapped around Alicia's wrist. A warm smile spread across her face. "You're still wearing it." Alicia looked down before smiling. "Of course." "I promised I would." Mary's eyes softened. "I'm glad." Standing a short distance away, Georgia noticed the exchange. She didn't interrupt.

Instead, she quietly memorized the bracelet. When we get home, she thought, I'll ask her where she got it. Something told her that bracelet couldn't be bought alone. As the final guests departed and the lights inside the hall slowly dimmed, the grand wedding came to an end. To everyone else, it had been a beautiful celebration. But beneath the smiles, new secrets had been born.