Chapter 452 This All Came Too Late
The Taylor Villa
Margaret stared at the table full of dishes, all prepared by Daniel. But she had no appetite at all. The image of Raymond taking wedding photos with another woman, being kissed on the cheek, haunted her mind.
Daniel served her more food, all her favorites, quickly piling up a small mountain on her plate. But Margaret still had no intention of eating.
"After dinner, I'll tell you how to test Raymond's feelings," Daniel said.
Margaret's eyes lit up at his words. She always felt that Raymond had his reasons, and she wasn't ready to give up so easily. She needed to find out the truth.
She picked up her utensils and started shoveling food into her mouth, her nose stinging with emotion. The food, though delicious, tasted like sawdust to her. But she finished it all.
Daniel's eyes were full of pain as he looked at her, and his own eyes reddened.
The food quickly disappeared, and Margaret had just put down her utensils when her phone buzzed. She picked up her phone from beside her, lowering her eyes to look at the screen.
Daniel had sent her a few selfies of them together at the supermarket. Margaret instantly understood his meaning. "You want me to send these to Raymond?"
"A guy who really loves you won't be cool with seeing you close with another man. If he's just upset that you disappeared for a month and worried about you, seeing these photos should make him come to get you. If he doesn't contact you, it only proves that he's moved on and isn't afraid of losing you," Daniel explained.
She clutched the phone, torn between choices. In the past, she would have sent these photos without hesitation. But now, she lacked confidence and certainty.
"Ms. Hughes, the best way to face fear is to confront it."
"I know what to do. Thanks, Daniel." Taking a deep breath, Margaret looked up and gave him a grateful smile, then forwarded the photos to Raymond's WhatsApp. Her heart was inexplicably tense and tormented.
She turned off her phone and, to distract herself from the anxiety and worry, went to her room to pack her clothes. Daniel picked up a pack of cigarettes from the table, pulled one out, and lit it. After finishing the cigarette, he walked to her bedroom door.
The room was dark. The curtains were open. The bright moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a glow on Margaret as she crouched, folding her clothes. She folded her clothes meticulously, placing them neatly in the open suitcase. Her long hair was tucked behind her ear, cascading over her slender shoulders.
Seeing her like this, Daniel suddenly remembered when they were in elementary school. He was being bullied, and she had burst through the crowd, standing protectively in front of him, shouting at the bullies.
"From today on, he's my friend. If anyone dares to bully him again, I'll have my dad talk to the principal and get you expelled."
The frail boy looked up, seeing the morning sunlight filtering through the green leaves, falling on her small frame. To him, the first time he met Margaret, she was the embodiment of justice, a valiant superhero. She had scared off all the bullies, then helped him up from the ground and took him to the nurse's office, even paying for his treatment.
Sensing his unease, she had warmly asked his name.
He had shyly said, "Daniel."
She had smiled brightly at him, patting his dirty clothes. "Okay, I remember your name. We're friends now."
Though she said they were friends, Margaret had quickly forgotten about him.
Many times, he wanted to thank her. Without her, he wouldn't have been able to study peacefully in a bright classroom and earn a scholarship.
Under the guise of being Margaret's friend, no one dared to bully him again.
Countless times, he wanted to approach her, to say thank you.
But her friends were all wealthy and influential, and she wore beautiful princess dresses, looking so elegant.
He felt too inferior. He was an illegitimate child, and she was kind-hearted, helping many people. He was just one of them. If she knew about his lowly background, would she look at him with the same disdain as others?
So Daniel never tried to get close to her or be her friend again.
From elementary school to college, he silently followed in Margaret's footsteps.
Wherever she went, he went.
But always from a distance, quietly watching the little princess of The Hughes Family from the shadows.
Even when she pursued Raymond, he saw it all.
When they were about to get married, he chose to move away and became a narcotics officer. He thought, 'The girl I loved had a knight to protect her, so I should protect the people.'
To be a useful person, someone meaningful to society.
To completely shed the label of an illegitimate child and live his own life.
Perhaps because he was brave and capable, he took on dangerous missions, going undercover several times and nearly dying at the hands of drug lords.
But fate favored him, and he survived.
His achievements grew, and so did the praise.
Eventually, when The Taylor Family's son had an accident, he, the illegitimate child, was brought back to The Taylor Family.
He transformed into the new CEO of The Taylor Group.
He no longer wore the cheap, faded clothes; instead, he donned luxurious, limited-edition clothes and watches.
But it all came too late.
If it had come earlier, he thought, he would have had the courage to say to the young Margaret, "Hi, Margaret, I'm Daniel."
Maybe, Raymond's place would have been his.
As he leaned against the doorframe, thinking of the past, Daniel's expression grew complex.
Margaret looked up, seeing the moonlight outlining his figure, adding a touch of melancholy to him.
But Daniel had everything now. What could be troubling him?
Maybe something, but she wouldn't ask. Everyone had their own secrets, and she wasn't one to pry.
Margaret greeted him, "Mr. Taylor?"
"Margaret, my name is Daniel." Daniel looked at her, his eyes slightly red.
She was taken aback. "I know."
"We're friends," he said again. He wasn't sure if he was introducing himself to the Margaret of the past or to himself.
Margaret frowned. "I know, Mr. Taylor."
Daniel gave a bitter smile and thought, 'No, Margaret, you don't really know.'
The Margaret of the past wouldn't be so cautious.
She would be like a superhero, always full of energy, her tone never so measured and restrained.
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