The Rose He Showed Off Is Putting Down Roots in a Garden of Her Own novel Chapter 226

Elara turned in his arms, holding him close. "Your parents must have a profoundly beautiful relationship," she murmured softly.

His voice was impossibly gentle. "What makes you say that?"

"Because they raised such an incredible man."

Zane chuckled softly. "My parents were a true love match. My mother was the daughter of a powerful political family in Eastford. My grandfather hated the idea of her moving away to marry my father, but he couldn't stop her. Because he loved her so much, he funneled massive resources to the Whitakers, which is exactly how our family managed to seize the ultimate real estate boom over the last twenty years."

"When Yancy was taken, it nearly killed her. But my father stood by her side, unwavering, caring for her for decades. As soon as I came of age, he started handing the empire over to me. Once Sebastian and I proved we could shoulder the legacy, my father officially stepped back to devote his entire life to my mother."

"So, when the foundation is strong, the house doesn't crumble. My father never committed those 'mistakes all men make.' And neither will I."

Elara held him tighter. The road ahead was long and treacherous, but deep down, she prayed that fate would show them mercy, that somehow, against all odds, she could build a real future with him.

-

A few days later, the court's official ruling finally arrived.

Exactly as the lawyers had predicted, the judge denied the immediate divorce, slapping them with the mandatory six-month separation mandate. Once the six months expired, if either party still contested, she would have to prove a full year of physical separation before the court would unilaterally grant the divorce.

"You see this, right?" Elara sighed, staring at the paperwork. "If I want to be legally free, I'm stuck waiting at least another year and a half."

Zane reached over and clicked her seatbelt into place. "I've waited for you for years. Do you really think another eighteen months is going to scare me off?"

A profound wave of emotion washed over Elara. His relentless, unconditional devotion was staggering.

And then he ruined the moment by whispering, "Come back to my place tonight?"

Elara blinked. "..."

His insatiable, reckless drive sometimes made her wonder if he was just utterly obsessed with getting her into bed, treating the actual 'romance' part as just a necessary emotional tax to sleep with her.

"Not tonight."

"Why not?"

"It's my time of the month."

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