Chapter 521 How About a Contract Marriage?
Daniel was so warm, so thoughtful, so clean, so wonderful.
He was flawless, highlighting how broken she felt.
She didn't deserve Daniel anymore. He deserved someone better, a girl as bright and clean as he was.
"Life's unfair. Daniel, you should find someone who really suits you," Margaret said with a bitter smile.
Daniel's face tightened for a moment. "But you admitted our relationship in front of Raymond."
"That was just to get him off my back. I'm sorry, Daniel, I used you. Let me treat you to this meal as an apology," Margaret said, guilt evident in her voice.
He looked at her sincerely. "I know, but I don't mind. Margaret, I get all your concerns. These days, divorce is pretty common. It's just a way to say goodbye to someone who wasn't right for you and start fresh. It's not a failure. I don't mind your past, Margaret."
"You don't mind now, but you will eventually. No one can completely ignore the fact that their wife has been divorced," Margaret said, not doubting him, but doubting human nature.
She had already lost once and didn't want to rush into a second relationship, hurting both herself and others.
For her, the thought of growing old alone hadn't caused any fear.
"Margaret, I won't let you talk about yourself like that. When you do, I feel guilty for not showing up in your life sooner, for not protecting you," Daniel said, his eyes slightly reddening.
He sighed, calmed his emotions, and looked at Margaret sitting on the opposite sofa. "Margaret, since you found it so easy to use me as a shield just now, why not use me again? It might give you a chance to see your true feelings."
"What?" Margaret frowned in confusion.
Daniel's voice was low as he laid out the pros and cons for her. "Margaret, you've been tangled up with Raymond for so long, it won't be easy to let go. He won't give up on you easily either. Why don't we make a fake marriage real and announce it?"
"What are you talking about? Are you crazy?" Margaret was bewildered.
He smiled gently. "Just a contract marriage. When Raymond sees our marriage certificate, he'll naturally back off. Once you shake off this burden and fall for someone else, I'll cooperate with the divorce and step out of the marriage."
Margaret pressed her lips together, looking at him for a long time. Marriage was such an important matter, yet he was willing to be her shield.
Should she say he was too reckless or too devoted?
Seeing her silence, he reassured her. "Margaret, this is the most effective way to get rid of Raymond right now."
"I don't have to choose you."
She didn't want to harm him, as it wouldn't be fair to him.
"But it seems I'm the only one you can trust, Margaret. You can trust my character and integrity. It's just a contract marriage; our relationship will stay the same. I won't ask for any emotional returns. With me, you'll always be free and relaxed. Becoming my wife, who would dare to mess with you in Silverbrook? No matter how capable you are, you're still a woman. I don't believe you don't want a shoulder to lean on occasionally. Your parrot, I'm taking good care of it. It's waiting for you to come home. The roses are about to bloom too. Margaret, when the roses bloom, they'll be beautiful."
Daniel sat upright, wearing a shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
He smiled gently and thoughtfully, then spoke again. "Of course, I have my own selfish reasons. I have a request too."
"What request?" Margaret asked.
He took a sip of water elegantly before continuing. "I hope you can be fair and give me a chance to take care of you. If I try and fail, I'll accept it. But not even having a chance to try is too cruel. Margaret, please give me a fair shot to compete with Raymond. Don't be too biased towards him."
Outside the restaurant.
The rain was falling lightly, making the road wet.
Under the thick shade of trees, a black car was parked.
The windshield wipers moved intermittently.
Raymond sat back, looking through the fully lowered window, across the busy street.
He couldn't hear what Daniel and Margaret were saying, but he could see clearly that they were having a good conversation. She ate the meal Daniel served her while listening intently to him.
He had once warned her not to get too close to other men, not to eat food served by other men...
She had always done well.
Now it had come to this.
Raymond couldn't blame her; it was all because of him.
He took out a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out, and placed it between his lips, leaning forward to light it.
The lighter seemed to be against him, refusing to ignite.
The white cigarette was abruptly broken and thrown out the window as he drove away.
The car wheels spun rapidly on the wet ground.
In his ears, he could hear Margaret's past playful words.
"Raymond, it's Valentine's Day today. Why didn't you give me roses? I'm a girl too. I should have what others have."
"Raymond, your cooking is delicious, but in all the time I've known you, you've only cooked for me once. If I could have your homemade breakfast every day and see you beside me when I open my eyes, I'd be so happy."
"Can't you be less busy with work? Aren't you afraid that if you keep being so busy, I'll run off with someone else?"
He muttered to himself, "Margaret, I owe you. I will do everything you once wanted him to do. I hope it's not too late."
For several days in a row, Margaret found a bouquet of fresh roses in the CEO's office.
The dark red petals occasionally had a few drops of morning dew.
Margaret glanced at them and picked up the small card on the roses.
The note was written in a familiar handwriting: [Margaret, from now on, every day is Valentine's Day.]
She had once hoped he would surprise her, but he had always ignored her.
She didn't need this belated affection anymore.
She seized the roses and discarded them in the trash can, along with the breakfast Raymond had prepared himself and placed on the desk.
Daniel walked in, holding a file, glanced at these in the trash can, and looked at her. "Such beautiful flowers, are you really willing to throw them away? I remember you love roses the most."
Margaret looked up. "It depends on who gives them."
Daniel's heart skipped a beat, almost blurting out, "What if I gave them to you? Margaret, would you throw them away so mercilessly too?"
"Is there something you need?" she changed the subject first.
He opened the file and placed it in front of her, pointing to the blank space where her signature was needed. "This needs your signature, Margaret."
Margaret trusted him, took a pen from the holder, and signed her name.
"Do you have plans for tonight, Margaret? There's a new movie out that's been quite popular recently." He asked.
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