Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 785

apter 785 The Kiss

Chapter 785 The Kiss

+5 Free Coms

So the family she had visited that day was Harold’s. Harvey’s younger brother turned out to be Harold.

No wonder when Claudia had asked Harold whether he knew Damian and Harvey, he’d taken so long to answer. He’d already known about the marriage certificate all along.

When Harold mentioned there was “someone better” out there, he was probably referring to Harvey.

Thank goodness Harvey already had someone he was interested in. Otherwise, how could/she ever face him afterward?

Still lost in thought, she noticed Harold standing by the doorway, watching her with a deep, unreadable

gaze.

With every step he took toward her, Claudia’s heartbeat quickened.

“Having second thoughts?” Harold asked, his eyes dropping to the certificate bearing his name.

Claudia shook her head.

He reached over and picked up one of the documents. “Doesn’t matter if you are. Sooner or later, you were going to end up as part of the Cross family.”

Claudia set the paper down and began connecting the dots. “How did you know I was in danger that day?”

“Got an anonymous text. Didn’t believe it at first, but I had someone check it out–then I went straight to find you.”

“Did you know me from before? Way before?”

Harold paused for a couple of seconds. “Yeah.”

“When? I don’t remember.”

He held her gaze. “It goes back to our parents‘ generation. We’d met you when you were little, but you were too young to recall. After your parents passed, Graham asked our family to keep an eye on you. That’s how this marriage agreement came to be.”

Claudia glanced away. “Sorry for all the trouble.”

“No trouble at all.”

“You know… you could have other options. Better ones,” Claudia said, slowly lifting her eyes to his.

Harold was in a good place. Even with a child, he could have married someone more… conventional. There was no need to rush into this.

He’d asked Claudia more than once–if she regretted it, if she wanted out–but she’d never heard how he actually felt about it.

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19:09 Sat,

Chapter 785 The Kiss

+5 Free Coms

She didn’t want him feeling trapped by some old–fashioned family arrangement. That wouldn’t be fair to him.

Harold met her wide, earnest eyes.

Sunlight glinted off the marriage certificate, casting a soft, hazy glow across both their faces.

Gently, he cupped her cheek with one hand, leaned in, and placed a warm, lingering kiss at the corner of her mouth.

Just that one kiss. Harold drew back with visible effort, resting his forehead against hers as he tried to steady his breathing.

Claudia’s fingers were still clutching the hem of her shirt. The spot where his hand had been felt like it was on fire.

“I don’t want other options. We can try this–you and me. Unless you’ve got something else in mind,” Harold said, his voice a little rough.

“I don’t have anything else in mind,” Claudia replied, her own voice coming out softer than she expected.

The afternoon sun grew warmer, wrapping them in a quiet, golden light. Their shadows stretched long and slanted across the hardwood floor.

A gentle breeze drifted through the window, rustling the curtains and sweeping a few strands of hair across

her face.

Harold reached over and carefully tucked the loose hair behind her ear.

This was the last time he’d ask her. He wouldn’t bring it up again.

“Daddy, Mommy,” came a sleepy voice. Zander appeared, dragging a giant white goose plush toy behind him. He was barefoot and still rubbing his eyes.

Harold brushed his thumb lightly over Claudia’s cheek before reluctantly pulling away. He turned and scooped Zander up into his arms.

Claudia took a steadying breath and looked back at the contract in the box. Only now did she feel the full, heavy thump of her heartbeat.

When Harold kissed her, it was like everything inside her had paused.

Harold carried Zander back toward the bedroom, leaving Claudia standing there, dazed.

He’d originally planned to take Zander home, but the little boy cried and fussed, insisting on staying with Claudia.

So she told Harold to let him stay.

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19:09 Sat, Jul 4

Chapter 785 The Kiss

+5 Free Coms

That night, Zander clung to Claudia, wanting her to sleep in his room–and he dragged Harold into it too.

Harold had no choice but to lie down next to Claudia, with Zander tucked between them.

Late into the night, Harold carefully moved the sleeping boy from the middle over to the other side of the bed, making sure to pull the blanket over him.

When Claudia woke the next morning, she found herself curled against Harold’s chest, his arm wrapped loosely around her waist. Zander was spread out on the other side, hugging his giant white goose.

Harold, already awake, kissed her forehead sleepily. “Morning.”

Claudia shifted slightly. “Morning.”

He ran a hand over her hair, then let his fingers drift beneath the hem of her shirt, resting lightly against the small of her back.

Claudia’s body tensed for a second. Without thinking, her hand fisted into the fabric of his pajama top.

Harold smoothed his palm over her back once, then casually withdrew his hand.

“Get some more rest. I’ll go see about breakfast,” he said, slipping out of bed.

Claudia didn’t reply. She just watched him pad quietly out of the room in his slippers.

She ended up staying in for the next couple of days. Harold came straight home after work each evening. She saw him a lot more often now than she ever had before.

That evening, Zander was eating by himself at the table. Harold sat beside him, glancing over at Claudia every now and then.

She noticed him looking. When she lifted her head, their eyes met.

“A friend of mine is having a birthday party tomorrow night,” Harold said. “Want to come?”

Claudia nodded. “I should be free after six. I’ve got something to take care of earlier in the day.”

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