Donovan Xavier chuckled deeply. "How could that be? In my heart, no one can compare to you, not even our child." "I’ll love our child because of you." Chloe Preston’s earlobes grew warm. Was he indirectly saying that he liked her too? He had never once told her that he liked her. Donovan Xavier lifted the blanket and carefully tucked her in. "Do you want to sleep for a while?" Chloe Preston was indeed exhausted. "Mhm." Donovan Xavier held her hand and nodded. "Okay, I won’t go. I’ll stay with you." "Good girl. Sleep now, I’m right here." Just as Chloe Preston was about to close her eyes, her face flushed slightly as she added, "You... kiss me." Donovan Xavier paused, stunned for a moment. He smiled, leaned down, and gently kissed her cheek. Donovan Xavier kissed her again. Chloe Preston clutched her chest and smiled in satisfaction. She gazed at him, her eyes sparkling and full of affection, unable to stop herself from saying, "Donovan Xavier, I really like you." Donovan Xavier heard every word clearly, and his heart jolted. She said she likes me. Donovan Xavier raised an eyebrow and leaned closer. But Chloe Preston didn’t dare to look at him anymore. She covered her face, turned over, and buried herself under the blanket. Her heart was pounding. Donovan Xavier said nothing, simply watching her. Her confession echoed in his mind, and his lips curled into an unconscious smile. Chloe Preston woke from her nap and opened her eyes, but the man was gone. She got up from the bed, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, pushed aside the sheer curtains, and looked out. The sky was growing dark, and a light rain was falling. Suddenly, there was a gentle knock at the door. The door opened and Housekeeper Wallace entered, carrying a bowl of noodles. "Madam, I thought you might be hungry, so I made you a bowl of noodles." Chloe Preston frowned slightly. "Madam? Why are you calling me that?" Haven’t they always called me Miss? Housekeeper Wallace smiled. "It’s what Mr. Xavier instructed." "He said we are no longer to call you Miss, but Madam or Mrs., and told us to make the change immediately. Madam, please have some and see if it’s to your liking." Chloe Preston’s eyes flickered. "Donovan Xavier instructed this?" Housekeeper Wallace’s lips curved. "Madam, this means Mr. Xavier sees you as his wife. I worked at the Xavier family’s old estate for many years, and I’ve never seen him care so much for anyone." "Actually, Mr. Xavier’s life has been quite pitiful. His parents divorced when he was very young, his father remarried, and his mother went mad. No one in the entire Xavier family ever truly put him first." "Deep down, he’s desperately in need of love." Listening to these words, Chloe Preston’s lashes fluttered. She really didn’t know much about his family’s affairs. She had been wondering why his mother was in Portdrey; so it was because they were divorced. After a moment of thought, Chloe Preston asked, "Then what about Isla Xavier and him...?" "They’re half-siblings, from the same father," Housekeeper Wallace replied. "But they aren’t that close. Miss Xavier also has a full brother, and she’s closer to him." Chloe Preston lowered her gaze and said no more. 「Meanwhile, in the study.」 Donovan Xavier sat in the leather executive chair, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. He looked handsome and aloof as he focused on the documents before him. Chloe Preston peeked her head in, her face bright and lovely. Donovan Xavier looked up at the sound, pausing his signature. He smiled. "Why don’t you come in?" Chloe Preston entered the room. Donovan Xavier took off his glasses with a languid air and gestured with his hand. "Come here. Sit on my lap." Chloe Preston did so. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Does your back still hurt?" Donovan Xavier was honest. "A little. Will Dr. Quinn help me change my dressing later?" Chloe Preston snuggled into his warm embrace, clinging to him. Donovan Xavier held her and looked down. "Why are you suddenly so well-behaved?" Chloe Preston closed her eyes and whispered, "Donovan Xavier, in my heart, you’ll always be first. You’re the most important person to me." "No one can compare to you." "Really?" Donovan Xavier’s dark eyes shifted. He drew a sharp breath, his heart thrown into turmoil. Chloe Preston nodded. "Mhm. No matter who it is, I will always choose you." For a long moment, the air fell silent. "Chloe Preston," he called to her. Donovan’s gaze was deep, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he grew emotional. "Can you say you like me again?" Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novel•fire.net Chloe Preston looked up, her hands braced against his chest, her eyes shimmering. "I like you." As if that weren’t enough, she said it again, "I like you. I really, really like you. I like you more than all of them put together." Her words were soft, yet each one was deafening, striking the most tender place in his heart and stirring one tumultuous wave after another. Donovan Xavier clenched his fist, the last thread of his control snapping. He could never hear it enough. Donovan Xavier pulled her into his embrace, veins bulging on his arms. His voice was unsteady and raspy. "Chloe Preston, say it again." "Just one more time, and my life is yours." Chloe Preston looked up at him. "I really like you." Her eyes grew moist, misting over. Her face was bright and beautiful, her soft red lips inviting and endearing. Donovan Xavier’s eyes turned bloodshot. At that moment, he could no longer hold back. He lowered his head and kissed her. He kissed her relentlessly, turning this way and that, as if he’d never stop. Chloe Preston clung to him tightly, burying her head in the crook of his neck as tears streamed down her face. Her voice was muffled and soft. "Donovan Xavier, I love you." Donovan Xavier moved closer, closing his eyes. He pressed his lips to her ear, his voice a murmur of infinite tenderness. "Chloe Preston, I’ll marry you." "Come be my Mrs. Xavier. Be the woman who is mine by all rights."