She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 601

Preston's voice was deeply magnetic, the kind that could make a person melt just by listening to it.

Melanie always felt like he was deliberately trying to seduce her, and she found herself naturally melting into his embrace.

"You see me every day and you still miss me?"

"But we spend at least eight hours apart every day!"

Hearing the faint trace of grievance in his tone, Melanie didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Alright, alright, let me go."

"But I'm worried you'll get cold. You were just sneezing."

Melanie touched the scarf he had wrapped around her neck.

"Don't worry, with this on, I'm much warmer."

Finally convinced, Preston slowly released her.

She wasn't just brushing him off. With the thick scarf blocking the mountain wind from sneaking down her neck, she really was much warmer.

But she noticed he wasn't wearing much—just a black suit without an overcoat.

"You really didn't have to come all the way out here to find me. I was about to head back anyway."

Hearing her words, Preston quietly said, "Wait here a second," and walked over to his car parked a short distance away.

When he returned, he was carrying a flower basket.

It was an elegant arrangement of white and yellow chrysanthemums, the kind specifically meant for honoring the dead.

He placed the basket gently in front of her mother's headstone, then bowed deeply and respectfully three times.

Melanie stood off to the side, utterly stunned.

"Mrs. Monroe, I sincerely apologize for coming so abruptly today. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Preston Whitmore. I'm Melanie's boyfriend, and her future husband."

Seeing Preston speaking so solemnly, Melanie couldn't hold back a sudden burst of laughter.

But as she met his captivating gaze, the smile on her lips slowly faded.

His eyes were dead serious.

It was the kind of fierce, unwavering sincerity of a man swearing before her mother's grave that he would protect her for the rest of his life.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't making fun of you."

Melanie explained earnestly.

"What's wrong?"

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders with infinite gentleness, turning to face Talia's grave with her.

"You wouldn't have come out here for no reason. If you're willing, you can tell me about it."

As his voice faded, he glanced over and noticed she wasn't looking at him.

Her eyes remained fixed on her mother's headstone.

A sudden gust of mountain wind brought a biting chill.

It was cold enough to drain a bit of color from Preston's face.

But Melanie didn't feel the chill.

Because she had Preston's scarf.

When the wind died down, the swaying branches finally settled into stillness.

"My dad actually did love my mom once..."

When she finally spoke, her words caused Preston's brow to furrow slightly.