I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 357

Married?!

My pupils shrank, and I blurted out, “Horace, no!”

It was a big enough leap to go from friends to lovers, but Horace wanted to jump straight to marriage. It was too fast. I was genuinely terrified.

Horace’s expression froze for a moment. He bit his pale lip, his refined face still gentle but now tinged with disappointment and a bitter smile.

“I’m sorry, I’m asking too much. With my leg like this, I don’t even know if I’ll ever be able to stand up again. What am I doing talking about marriage?”

“That’s not it, I didn’t mean that.” My heart felt heavy. I bit my lip and looked at him. “I just think… aren’t we moving too fast? We… we haven’t even dated, and you’re talking about marriage. I’m afraid you’ll regret it.”

Isn’t that what happened with Steven and me? We went straight to marriage without even dating. The gap between us wasn’t just about trust and communication, but also many irreconcilable personality clashes. Two lifetimes of friction had left me utterly exhausted.

Horace’s dim eyes suddenly lit up. He stared intently at my face, a glimmer of hope in his gaze.

“Are you saying… you’re willing to be my girlfriend?”

My fingers, hanging by my side, curled into fists. “Yes, let’s date.”

I was already broken beyond repair. If having me by his side was enough to make Horace happy, then I would grant him that. It was a good thing, in a way.

No sooner had the words left my mouth than Horace pulled me into a fierce embrace, holding me so tightly I could feel his heart pounding against my chest. His searing body heat felt like it could burn me.

Horace’s clear voice trembled with uncontrollable, ecstatic joy as he told me softly but firmly.

“I’ve waited for this day for so, so long. Zephyra, I will take good care of you, cherish you, and never let anyone bully you again.”

My heart tightened. I quickly pulled away from Horace’s embrace, awkwardly tucking my hair behind my ear as I looked at Mrs. Spencer’s stiff expression and forced a smile.

Horace gazed at me with deep affection, a smile on his handsome face that he couldn’t hide. His long, warm hand took my restless one, and he looked at Mrs. Spencer.

“Thanks for going, Mom.”

My body tensed, but I didn’t pull my hand away. Seeing this, Mrs. Spencer’s expression changed further, her composure nearly breaking. She managed a strained smile.

“Don’t be silly. If you want anything, just tell me. I’ll get it for you.”

As she spoke, her eyes kept darting to our joined hands.

Horace was as gentle as ever, and glowing with happiness. Perhaps it was the joy of the occasion, because even though he looked pale and weary, he seemed much more spirited than before, radiant even.