He Waited She Wilted (Ottilie and Yorath) novel Chapter 265

Yorath stood frozen in place. Despite the sweltering heat of the summer sun, he felt icy cold to his very core, stripped of all warmth.

He climbed into the car and stubbornly took Ottilie's hand, holding it tight the entire ride to City Hall.

The Sewell parents and the Fordham family were already waiting.

Aside from Quentin, the entire Fordham clan was present—Lyle, his two children, Lorenzo, and Marcella had all been there for quite some time.

"My grandfather's position makes it inconvenient for him to be here," Yorath explained to her. "But he'll be at the church later to officiate the ceremony."

Ottilie nodded. She reached up with her free hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, frustrated that Yorath was gripping her other hand so tightly.

The staff had been thoroughly prepped. They quickly took their photos and moved straight to issuing the marriage license.

Just as Yorath was about to sign, his phone rang.

Ottilie caught a glimpse of the screen. It was Nyssa Tarrant.

"Yorath, I don't feel well. My eyes hurt so much. Can you come take me to the hospital?"

Yorath didn't say a single word. He hung up instantly.

When the phone rang again a second later, he casually tossed it to Soren, who was standing nearby.

Soren immediately powered the device off.

Yorath picked up the pen and signed his name with bold, sweeping strokes.

Ottilie stared at the document. She held the pen, but her hand hovered over the paper, refusing to move.

Yorath didn't rush her. He simply watched her with a faint smile.

Ottilie felt exactly like a helpless rabbit caught in a hunter's snare.

And the hunter was watching her struggle, highly amused by the futile effort.

"Yorath, can we just..." she began.

"No."

"You're going to regret marrying me."

Yorath reached over, covering her hand with his and patting it gently. "I might regret marrying you for a moment. But if I don't marry you, I'll regret it for a lifetime."

Realizing just how absolute his resolve was, Ottilie finally signed her name.

Yorath handed the documents back to the clerk.

The clerk tapped frantically away at her keyboard for a few minutes.

Yorath just smiled. "Habits can be formed."

As they walked out, Marcella stood up to greet them. "Is it done?"

Yorath nodded and turned to Ottilie. "Tilly, call her Mom."

"Mrs. Fordham," Ottilie greeted.

Marcella was thoroughly unamused by the formal address, but given that it was a joyous occasion, she bit her tongue.

Besides, her son was barely standing upright. If she started a fight, Ottilie would be fine, but her son might literally drop dead from the stress.

Nobody else would care, but as his mother, her heart ached for him.

Marcella handed Ottilie a wooden casket. "This is my welcome gift to you. Regardless of what happened in the past, since you're married now, you need to share in his joys and his struggles. Don't fight. Just live a good life together."

Ottilie glanced down at the casket, which was encrusted with various precious gems. Knowing it was unimaginably valuable, she didn't reach out to take it.

Yorath took it on her behalf and pressed it into her arms. "Thank you, Mom."

Marcella then handed Ottilie a property deed.

"I transferred this house to you two yesterday as your marital home. It's in my son's name. You can be unhappy about it all you want, but my hands are tied. I have to protect his assets in case of a divorce. But as long as you don't divorce him, it's yours to share."