The Villainess Needs a Hug (Ivy Windsor) novel Chapter 1035

This was the true purpose behind Naylor's actions.

He knew exactly what Willa feared most, so he used every resource at his disposal to completely eradicate that anxiety.

He fully believed that he and Katrina would never reach the point of a bitter divorce.

But planning for the absolute worst-case scenario was the ultimate baseline for guaranteeing Katrina's future security.

Listening to him, Willa stared at the deed and the bank card in her hands, so overwhelmed with shock and emotion that she couldn't speak.

Her feelings were a tangled mess.

She felt profound guilt and remorse for her past judgments, yet simultaneously overflowing with relief and joy at her daughter's incredible luck.

"Naylor, I was so wrong. I misjudged you completely. I forced Katrina to leave you, and yet you never held it against me. You've been so incredibly devoted to my treatment, even going out of your way to bother your parents... And now, to marry Katrina, you've shown such overwhelming sincerity, completely putting my final fears and regrets to rest..."

As Willa spoke, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

If she wasn't worried about startling Naylor, she would have wanted to collapse in profound gratitude and beg for his forgiveness.

"Thank you. Meeting you is the greatest blessing of Katrina's life. I believe in you, and I believe in both of you." With trembling hands, Willa took Katrina's hand and placed it firmly into Naylor's.

Naylor held Katrina's hand tightly, a faint, reassuring smile on his handsome face. He looked at Willa and made a solemn vow. "I believe in us, too."

Willa turned to her daughter, her voice full of earnest instruction. "Katrina, you have to be a good wife. You must love and respect Naylor's parents. Once I'm gone, they will be the closest family you have in this world."

"Mom, I know."

When Katrina had first learned that Naylor was gifting her a luxury condo and a five million dollar "wedding gift" before they even tied the knot, she had made a silent vow—she would spend the rest of her life fiercely loving Naylor and treating his parents like her own.

Relationships were built on mutual effort. If someone offered her their entire heart, she would return it tenfold.

"This is wonderful. Just... wonderful," Willa murmured repeatedly, her face glowing with a peaceful, contented smile she hadn't worn in months.

That evening, Katrina cooked, and they celebrated their reunion with a warm dinner at the new condo.

Willa was in such high spirits that her appetite had returned, and she managed to eat a surprisingly large portion.

But the late-stage cancer still dominated her body, and she was fundamentally weak.

After dinner, exhaustion quickly set in, and she needed to rest.

Katrina helped her to her room.

Once inside, Willa gently pushed her daughter's hands away and insisted, "You and Naylor should head back to his place. You don't need to stay here and look after me."

"Mom... we're not in any rush. I want to stay here and keep you company tonight." Katrina understood exactly what her mother was implying, and a soft blush crept up her neck.

Willa smiled warmly. "I'm not some stubborn old prude. I know exactly what you two want. I'm not going to be the third wheel keeping you apart. Go home with him."

"Mom..."

Without missing a beat, they pulled each other into a deep, lingering kiss.

Naylor reluctantly pulled away and opened the driver's side door. Katrina turned as if to leave, but instead, she walked straight around to the passenger side and opened the door.

Naylor, who had just sat down, stared at her in utter confusion. "What are you doing?"

"Going home!" Katrina laughed at his expression.

It took a second for it to click. "Going home with me?"

"Yeah. The second we got into her room, my mom basically kicked me out and told me to go home with you. She specifically said she didn't want my company." Katrina feigned a dramatic sigh. "You've completely bought her loyalty. She's entirely on your side now."

Naylor let out a deep, satisfied laugh. Unable to resist, he reached over, pulled her close, and claimed another hungry kiss.

Katrina pushed him back playfully, her cheeks flushed. "We're in a parking garage! Have a little restraint. We can do whatever you want when we get home."

Her phrase 'do whatever you want' carried a subtle hint of total submission.

Naylor looked at her seriously. "You don't have to act like you owe me or cater to my every whim just because I fronted some cash and real estate. Don't worry, I fully intend to extract everything I want from you in due time."

Katrina paused while buckling her seatbelt, turning to him with an amused smile. "Oh, really? Like what?"

"Your reproductive capabilities, obviously! It takes a massive physical toll on a woman to have a child. I'm just paying my dues upfront, hoping that when the time comes and you're going through all that pain, you'll go easy on me."