Chapter 477 A Confession Twenty Years Late
Margaret leaned against the edge of the couch, clutching an empty wine bottle, and let out a loud, unladylike burp.
Her eyelids fluttered open and closed, her mind foggy and heavy. She barely registered anything but still managed to respond, "And then?"
Margaret's mind was filled with memories of Raymond—some good, some bad, some happy, and naturally, some sad.
Though she sat there, her thoughts had already drifted far away.
Daniel felt a surge of joy when he heard her ask "And then?"
He thought she was genuinely interested in his story, so he continued with a slight smile. He spoke about how, as an illegitimate child, he never dared to get too close.
To remain close to the one he adored, he shadowed her every step through middle school, high school, and college.
He watched her chase after other men, and when she got married, he gracefully stepped back and became a police officer. Years later, they met again when he responded to a distress call.
He found her surrounded by media, kneeling in the snow outside The Hughes Group building, being trampled by the crowd.
He felt both heartache and anger, but she had already forgotten him, so he pretended it was their first meeting and gave her an ointment for her knee and arm wounds.
The atmosphere became tense and eerily quiet.
After sharing all this, Daniel felt an inexplicable sense of relief and ease.
There had been countless times he wanted to reveal himself to her, but he felt unworthy. Her heart wasn't with him, and he feared scaring her off.
But this time, he wanted to take a chance for himself.
"Ms. Hughes, you should know by now who I like, right?" Daniel said nervously, looking at the wine glass in his hand, lips pressed together.
She didn't respond.
In Daniel's mind, two voices clashed. One said to stop talking, that Margaret's silence was a clear sign.
If he kept pushing, he risked destroying their friendship altogether.
But the other voice urged him on, reminding him that his feelings for Margaret were just as strong as Raymond's. He had waited so long, too afraid to confess.
If he missed this chance, who knew when the next one would come?
After a moment of internal struggle, he decided he wanted clarity, even if it meant rejection.
He didn't want to hide anymore.
Staring at the dark carpet, Daniel's heart tightened, but he forced a calm tone; "Margaret, I like you."
Margaret still remained silent.
"Don't speak—just listen. You heard correctly, and no, this isn't a joke. I've loved you since elementary school. All those times you passed by, I never dared approach. Just an illegitimate kid, bullied and alone, while you—the Hughes heir, radiant and kind. We shared every school, every era. I watched you chase Raymond, marry him. Your wedding night? I received a medal for a drug bust, hating myself more with every toast."
Daniel added, "But I couldn't celebrate. Alone in some dive bar, drowning in liquor, I kept wondering—if I'd been braver, if I'd just said, Margaret, I love you—maybe everything would've been different. Then we met again. You stood besieged by reporters in the snow while I cleared them away. Later, at Ironwood Lane, when Ashley's car struck you, I led the investigation. That's how I learned you were unhappy. So I went back to the Taylors—not for power, but to protect you. A cop couldn't stand against Raymond. But as the Taylor Group's new CEO? That might."
He paused, his emotions a mix of bitterness and nostalgia, then continued, "I couldn't confess to you before because your heart was with someone else. I didn't want to make things difficult for you or be too abrupt. Now that Raymond has changed, and you two are no longer together..."
"Ms. Hughes, please consider me. I have no bad habits. I'll prioritize you, giving you security and ensuring you're never in tears. To me, you're the most perfect and kindest. We can start dating, and if you find me reliable, consider marrying me—I'll transfer all my assets to you to show my sincerity. Marrying me has its perks: no mother-in-law issues, and I'll protect you from any conflicts with my father. Children are up to you; I'll respect all your choices. Just be happy and carefree by my side."
Thinking about the future he envisioned, Daniel couldn't help but smile.
But she still didn't say a word.
He understood; such a big decision required careful thought.
"No rush for an answer. I've waited this long, a little more time won't hurt." Daniel smiled gracefully, then looked up.
He saw Margaret slumped on the carpet, her arm resting on the couch, eyes closed, eyelashes occasionally fluttering.
The moonlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, casting a serene, beautiful glow on her.
She had fallen asleep.
She hadn't heard a word he said.
It was a one-man show.
Daniel felt a pang of sadness.
A breeze blew, ruffling Margaret's hair, which brushed against her face. She coughed lightly.
Worried she might catch a cold, Daniel noticed she was dressed lightly. He stood up from the carpet, walked over to her, and gently picked her up.
It was bittersweet; this was one of the few times he could hold her openly.
Margaret felt so light in his arms, like a leaf. She had lost even more weight.
He carried her to her bedroom, tucked her in, and was about to leave when she grabbed his wrist.
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