Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 842

At that moment, Ariel finally understood what Jayson must have felt back then. It must have been despair.

After loving her for so many years, he finally married her, yet he thought she loved someone else. Still, he never unleashed his emotions on her and even considered letting her be happy with Lucas.

He had prepared so much for her only to keep it all hidden, forcing himself to endure it in silence.

"You're such an idiot," Ariel murmured.

However, she knew that when a person loved someone that deeply, they became fragile. A proud man like Jayson would rather shoulder the pain than tear off the mask and put her in a difficult position.

Jayson pinched Ariel's cheeks until her lips puckered, then leaned in to kiss her. It wasn't enough, so he bit her lip lightly before whispering, "Guess that means we're meant to be. No matter how hard anyone tries to break us apart, it won't work. You were destined to marry me and get tangled up with me for life."

"Destined?" Ariel arched her brow. "Meant to be? Isn't this the result of your strategic planning and meticulous scheming, Mr. Larkin?"

When she thought about it carefully, she realized that without all of Jayson's deliberate moves, they might not even be here now.

He chuckled. "If you'd been any slower to catch on, I might've just raised Claire myself and one day showed up in front of you with her calling you Mom out of nowhere."

He actually had considered that once.

Sometimes people would do crazy things out of sheer stubbornness. He had been fully prepared to just let things drag on like this.

The thought of Claire softened Ariel immediately. She glanced at the time. "Should we video call home? I want to see Claire."

But Jayson drew her back into his arms. "Not tonight. Tonight is just for us. Claire can wait for her turn."

He wasn't planning to let even their daughter interrupt his night with Ariel.

Ariel hesitated. "Who's watching her now?"

She was still worried.

"Renee," Jayson replied casually.

Just as she was losing herself in the moment, he drew back slightly and brushed another soft kiss against her lips. "You want it? Then you'll have it."

The next instant, a burst of dazzling fireworks erupted outside the window. They bloomed across the night sky, bathing the entire room in light.

Ariel turned to the window in shock.

The fireworks kept bursting. The night sky was painted with endless, beautiful strokes of color.

They felt so close, as if the entire spectacle belonged only to her. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

Jayson lowered his gaze, holding that position. His once-cold, stoic features were now filled with tenderness.

"Happy wedding, Mrs. Larkin. I love you."

This wasn't just a fleeting feeling. He loved her, and he would only ever love her.