Semua Bab Second Marriage to the Billionaire: Ex-Husband Begs Me Not to Go: Bab 431 - Bab 440

“Mark, after all this time, you’ve never liked me? Not even a little?” Fifi let out a cold, bitter laugh, her gaze hard. “Have you ever stopped to think—if you married me for my family background, shouldn’t you at least respect it? At the very least, you should make me happy. That’s the only way you’ll have a future.”She leaned back slightly, her voice turning sharp. “Let me make this simple for you. Your career is in my hands. As long as you work at the Duncan Industries, one word from me to my family, and you’ll never get anywhere for the rest of your life. And if you want to start your own business, you’ll need my money to do it. If I don’t give it to you, you’re nothing.”Her eyes narrowed. “When you’re with me, and you happen to see Aria, stop looking at her like she’s the only person in the room. Stop acting like you can’t wait to get away from me just so she doesn’t see us together. Do you think she’s stupid? Do you really believe she doesn’t know? You think she honestly beli

“It’s fine. While I was out earlier, I saw plenty of little restaurants along the street. They had so much charm—tiny round tables set up outside, a few people gathered around each one, just sitting and chatting so leisurely. It made me really want to try one.”They strolled aimlessly until they picked a restaurant at random. The weather in France was warm that evening, with no wind, and most people chose to dine outdoors. The street view, paired with the city’s artistic architecture, made the whole place feel like a scene from a painting.Aria also opted for a table outside. She ordered two steaks, and while they waited, she watched the locals. Some had a few beers, others clinked champagne glasses, their conversations low and unhurried. Even though every table was full, there was no loud chatter—just a calm, pleasant hum in the air.Unlike the quick service back home, the pace here was glacial. It was nearly an hour before their food arrived. The presentation was beautiful: steak

The soft notes of the violin wove seamlessly with her voice, the two sounds drifting together in a slow, lilting harmony.The two tables of guests who had been sipping wine and speaking in low tones fell silent, turning to watch Aria. More customers came in, but some, afraid to interrupt, stopped at the doorway and stayed there. Others slowed their steps, their eyes fixed on her as they quietly made their way to their seats.A waiter guiding new guests even raised a hand in a subtle gesture, urging them not to disturb her.Aria’s gaze never left Archer. Still singing, she walked toward him until she was standing at his table.Archer rose slowly to his feet, his heartbeat quickening with every step she took. In front of so many strangers, she was singing a love song just for him. Her cheeks were flushed a deep pink, her shyness clear, but she kept going—her voice soft, warm, and meant only for him.She looked up at him, her eyes gentle and full of light.When the last note left he

“What is—?” Aria began, startled, but before she could finish, Archer was already leading her inside the church.It was empty, the long rows of pews stretching out beneath the solemn gaze of the Virgin Mary. The space felt vast, still, and almost sacred.He didn’t stop until they reached the very front. When he turned to face her, his expression was so serious that the already sharp lines of his face seemed even more commanding.“I insisted on bringing you out tonight because I thought maybe you’d forgotten today was my birthday,” he said. “But the truth is, I already prepared my own birthday gift.”Aria’s breath caught. Somewhere deep down, she already sensed what he was about to do—what he wanted to say.Yes.They might already have a marriage certificate, but they’d skipped so many steps. The dating. The proposal.She froze as he reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a small, elegant box. Her heart pounded, but then she noticed—he actually looked more nervous than sh

Tears trembled in Aria’s eyes before spilling over again. When she thought about their life together—maybe fifty, sixty years at most—it felt far too short. Nowhere near enough.“Then promise me,” she murmured, lowering her head. She lifted his hand, their fingers still intertwined, and pressed a flurry of soft kisses to the elegant lines of his knuckles. “Promise you’ll love me for a lifetime, spoil me for a lifetime.” Her tears slid down, warm against his skin.She had never imagined that one day she could love someone so fiercely, so completely, that she wouldn’t even know how to love him enough. Afraid to give too little, she only wanted to give more—more love, more care, more of herself.Aria had no particular faith, but here in the solemn quiet of the Catholic church, with its ornate ceiling frescoes overhead and the gentle, benevolent gaze of the Virgin Mary above the altar, she sank into a pew. She clasped her hands, closed her eyes, and prayed for them to spend their lives