Naya had just arrived at the Steele residence when she received a call from Sheldon.
As expected, everything that had gone wrong back home was Cesar’s fault. But he had already handled it and was now on his way to Atros with his parents in tow. He wanted to marry Naya as soon as possible.
Finn was very pleased with Sheldon’s attitude. He had long since looked into Sheldon’s family.
Unlike the Steele family, the Lathams were close–knit and warm. Their household was small, but more importantly, the head of the family had deeply loved his wife for years.
Because of that, Sheldon had been able to raise Harriet freely, without being forced into a
marriage.
The two families quickly agreed on the marriage: they would register first, then hold a formal wedding ceremony.
The wedding would take place a month later–on Harriet’s birthday.
At the courthouse, the clerk solemnly handed them the forms and took a happy photo of them together. Not only that, they were even guided into the oath–taking hall.
Standing beside Sheldon in that solemn space, Naya felt a sense of freshness and quiet
excitement.
Through this marriage, she realized how perfunctory things had been with Cesar.
Back then, when she first registered her marriage, she knew nothing, only that she longed for a happy future.
So, when Cesar asked her to sign the application at home, she didn’t hesitate. Later, he simply came back with the certificate.
At the time, she had cherished it like a treasure, cradling it in her arms and gently tracing her fingers over it again and again.
Now, watching the staff handle every step with care, she realized Cesar had deceived her from the moment he asked her to sign that marriage application form.
But now, she was simply grateful to have met the most trustworthy person in her life.
Sheldon held the newly issued marriage certificate, his fingers brushing over the raised steel seal. Her heart swelled with joy.
He had finally married the person he loved most.
A month later, on a spring day bursting with blossoms, Naya wore a handmade custom gown Sheldon had specially commissioned from one of the world’s fashion capitals.
Holding a bouquet lovingly arranged by Harriet, she walked into the grandest church in the area, where the wedding ceremony was already in full swing.
Cesar arrived just as the ceremony reached its climax.
Naya stood in Sheldon’s embrace, the two of them sharing a kiss full of sweetness and bliss. Harriet stood by them, acting as flower girl, calling Sheldon “Dad” with a beaming smile.
Cesar’s eyes filled with tears. Looking through the crowd, he finally understood Naya from a year
55
3:53 am
ago.
Back then, when she stood outside the villa, the sounds from the transparent greenhouse slicing through the night, her heart must have broken the same way his was breaking now.
Or perhaps, every time she saw Abigail, she was reminded of his betrayal.
Cesar shut his eyes tightly. Clutching his chest, the ache surged up, overwhelming, and his tears flowed freely.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, handed over the gift he brought, and staggered out of the wedding hall.
After the ceremony, Naya was reviewing the wedding menu when she unexpectedly came across a share transfer agreement worth tens of billions of dollars.
The signature was unmistakable; it was Cesar’s.
Alongside it, she found two worn amulets, their surfaces yellowed from years of handling. The names “Naya” and “Harriet” were written clearly on them.
Naya froze, momentarily stunned. ‘What happened to Cesar?‘
She reached for the agreement, intending to tear it up and toss it in the trash, but before she could, Sheldon snatched it from her hand.
“Don’t touch anything that belonged to Cesar, not even his money,” he said coldly. “You only need to spend mine.”
He then turned and handed both the agreement and the box to his assistant. “Donate them to the orphanage.”
Naya smiled, sweet and radiant, at Sheldon’s possessiveness. She knew without a doubt that all the painful years were behind her.
Wrapped in love and warmth, she was finally stepping into a new life.
Meanwhile, Zora learned of Cesar’s death from her prison cell. She had been arrested for intentional injury, and the one who reported her was none other than Cesar himself, the man she had loved her entire life.
When she heard of his death, Zora lost control.
‘I don’t believe it! Cesar isn’t dead! Let me out! I’m Mrs. Harmon, I’m his legal wife!” she screamed, laughing wildly.
A nearby guard, alarmed by her outburst, quickly called the prison doctor. She was given a tranquilizer.
After she fell asleep, the doctor noted the episode in her file. “Prisoner No. 0868,” he said. “This is her tenth psychotic episode.”
23
