Chapter100I Love You

The evening breeze along the banks of the Seine couldn't cool the flush on Madison's cheeks. The memory of their recent kiss made her heart feel like it was about to burst through her ribcage.

"Um... It's a bit late, but happy birthday, ha." Madison spoke, remembering that during the three years she and Matthew were together, he never really celebrated a birthday.

It was already past midnight his birthday had passed. Even though her greeting was belated, she felt the sentiment still needed to be expressed.

Matthew looked at the petite woman before him and simply smiled, saying nothing.

Madison tried to squirm out of his embrace, finding it awkward. She couldn't deny the depth of feeling in his eyes, but she was afraid to look.

Matthew reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, then handed it to a puzzled Madison.

"What's this?"

"Open it, and you'll see," he said with a hint of mystery.

With his gaze upon her, she opened the box.

She was taken aback upon seeing the pink diamond ring inside.

Holding the box, she gazed at Matthew, totally lost for words.

He took the box, tenderly removed the ring, and took Madison's left hand.

Madison snapped back to reality, attempting to pull her hand away. However, Matthew held it firmly, refusing to let her escape.

"Why?" she asked timidly.

"I can't wait any longer," Matthew replied as he knelt on one knee, still holding her hand.

"Would you give me another chance and marry me again?"

His sudden move caught her off guard, and the spontaneity startled her. Bystanders who were still lingering started to exclaim and applaud.

She tried to pull him up, insisting he rises quickly, but Matthew remained on one knee, steadfastly asking, "Will you give me another chance?"

Frozen in place, the cheer and the screams around her snapped Madison back to reality.

"If you don't love me, what's the point of doing this?" she said, turning her face away.

In a rush of urgency, Matthew blurted out, "I love you."

Hearing these words, Madison stared at him in disbelief.

‘Would he deceive himself for the sake of our two children?’

Her voice carried a heavy weight of desolation as she spoke.

"You don't have to worry about me sneaking off with Quentin and Hannah anymore," she said, her voice tinged with sadness as she turned to leave.

Matthew quickly stood up and pulled Madison into his arms, pleading urgently, "It's not about Quentin and Hannah. It's because of you, Madison. I love you."

Upon hearing the heartfelt confession, Madison's eyes welled up, her nose tinged with a sour sensation, and she bit her lip tightly, struggling to hold back the tears.

Sensing the slight tremble in her body, Matthew gently released her from his embrace and tenderly wiped away the tears from her cheeks.

"Don't cry, I'm sorry. Can you forgive the jerk I used to be?" he implored.

While she was still momentarily dazed and defenseless, he slipped the ring onto her finger.

"Now that you have the ring, you can't easily run away," he said, holding her hand tightly as if to make sure she wouldn't slip away.

Madison couldn't deceive herself. Even after all these years, she hadn't forgotten him. Believing he had never truly loved her, she buried her love deep within, careful not to let it surface or reveal it to him. This act was a way of safeguarding her dignity and pride.

Matthew cradled her face and kissed her lips, apologizing with each kiss.

Madison's tears finally broke free, streaming down her cheeks. Matthew's heart clenched as he kissed her eyes, whispering, "I'm sorry, please don't cry."

Madison never thought Matthew needed to apologize to her. In love, there's no need for apologies.

But hearing his apologies now stirred a fervent emotion within her, akin to a volcano erupting.

Walking hand in hand, Matthew guided Madison toward the riverbank. Despite the absence of the cruise, strolling along the river held its own charm, and she allowed him to lead her along.

After a while, as if not fully at ease, he stopped and looked into her red-rimmed eyes, "You can't take off the ring, understand? When we get back to Horizon City, we're going to get the marriage license and then tell Grandpa we're planning the wedding again."

Madison fell silent for a moment before responding, "If you leave me again, I'll take Quentin and Hannah with me and never come back."

Matthew looked at her, nodding earnestly.

"There's no rush for the marriage license or the wedding. If you change your mind, you still have a chance."

Lacking confidence and wary of experiencing another loss, Madison needed time to rebuild her trust.

Matthew saw the conflict within her and compromised, "We can hold off on the wedding, but let's at least get the license first, okay?"

Just as Madison was about to say something more, Matthew dipped his head, capturing her lips with a sudden urgency. Madison's hands found their way gently around his waist, her subtle response setting his heart racing.

Somewhere not too far off, fireworks were set off, sending sparkles shimmering across the night sky.

Enveloped in a kiss, the clamor of the world seemed to dissolve for the two of them, leaving only the sound of their own hearts pounding frenetically against their chests.

Their embrace deepened, and suddenly, Matthew released Madison, grabbing her hand and sprinting off. She knew exactly why the rush their faces flushed, hearts racing even more than before.

They managed to hail a cab and head straight for the hotel.

In the back of the cab, Matthew put his arm around Madison, trying to steal another kiss. Madison felt flustered—it was still a public place, after all. Though couples kissing in the streets was common in Paris, Europe's openness about romance was something she was still getting used to.

"Stop it, we're in the cab," she whispered, a hint of bashfulness in her voice as she tried to calm the fervor of the man beside her.

Matthew's hand wandered lower, and Madison bit her lip to stifle any sound she might make.

...

Thankfully, the hotel was not far. Otherwise, Madison felt something embarrassing might have happened in the cab.

As the cab halted, Matthew paid the fare and hurriedly led Madison to the hotel, their hands tightly intertwined. They sighed with relief upon reaching their floor after a short elevator wait. Matthew quickly ushered Madison into his room.

No sooner had he turned on the light and shut the door, Matthew pressed Madison against it fiercely with a kiss.

Madison's heart pounded, weakening her knees.

Both had been longing for this moment and though they began awkwardly at first, they soon found themselves lost in intense, satisfying ecstasy.

The sheer bliss of reuniting this way was insatiable for Matthew.

As Madison drifted in and out of consciousness, she thought to herself that she didn't want anything more for the rest of the month.

Matthew embraced Madison from behind, their fingers entwined as they rested side by side in the spacious bed, her hand adorned with the ring. While Madison peacefully slumbered, Matthew hesitated to shut his eyes. He cherished the present moment, planting a tender kiss on her pale shoulder.

What he initially thought was going to be the worst birthday turned out to be the best one yet and, even more so, the most beautiful birthday gift of all.
True Love After Divorce
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