.
That afternoon, Gilbert called off his engagement to the Silveras. He did not pick up a single one of Lottie’s calls.
When he found Marigold, she was taking Caleb on a stroll around the neighborhood. It had been a while since she’d taken notice
of anything related to Gilbert. She suddenly felt how nice it was to have her mental energy spent somewhere else, no longer
being so hung up on that man.
However, when Gilbert appeared before her, her heartbeat quickened.
“Why are you here?” Marigold said, snapping out of her reverie.
Gilbert smiled lightly. Without saying much else, he pulled her into an embrace. Didn’t you say that I could come to see you once
everything is settled?”
Marigold was stunned. She was in disbelief. “So, what you’re saying is it’s all over?”
“Didn’t you read the news?” Gilbert was speechless.
“No. I didn’t want to care.” Every time she saw anything about Gilbert and Lottie, she felt miserable. She’d rather save herself the
pain and block out anything to do with them.
Gilbert was not mad. Instead, his heart ached. It was because of him that Marigold refused to see the news. “The Bradshaws
have been ruined. They will not threaten us anymore. And I’ve called off my engagement with Lottie.”
Marigold felt like she was dreaming.
her. She was fully prepared to spend the rest of her life with just her child.
But now...
“Is that true?” Marigold wasn’t too certain. She was doubtful of Gilbert’s words.
Gilbert looked at her and said once more, seriously, “It’s true. I’m not lying to you.”
Marigold didn’t know what to say.
“Let me take care of you and our child, Marigold. Please,” Gilbert said, finally taking those words off his chest.
Marigold said nothing. Her eyes watered.
“I like you, Marigold. Let’s be together.” It took him a lot of courage to say that. He was finally admitting it today.
In fact, once those words were out, it didn’t feel as hard as he thought.
Marigold cried. She’d been waiting for these words for far too long. “You wont leave us, will you?” she asked.
Gilbert shook his head. “I won’t. I never will.”
With those words, Marigold finally nodded and agreed. This was what she always wanted. Gilbert had done it. He had never lied
to her, and she was willing to give him another chance. She knew that she was easily won over, which would make anyone take
her for granted, but she had no defenses when it came to Gilbert.
The moment he waved at her, she would run toward him.
She thought that she had let go of him. It turned out that she hadn’t, not at all.
she had been standing there. But judging by the expression on her face, she’d heard a lot.
Gilbert let go of Marigold and shielded her behind him. “I apologize. That was my fault.”
“Is one apology enough?” Lottie asked.
“I can make it up to you.” Lottie was innocent, after all. Even though Gilbert didn’t like her, he wouldn’t hold anything against her.
When she heard that, it was as if she’d heard a joke. “Make it up to me? Do you think I need your pity?”
“What else do you want me to do?” Gilbert asked coldly.
With his attitude, Lottie didn’t know what else she could say. “So you truly never liked me?”
“Never,” Gilbert replied without any hesitation.
Lottie did not press on. She turned and left.
Gilbert didn’t know if she would bear a grudge against him, but he didn’t want to think about it. Right now, he just wanted to be
with Marigold and their child. He didn’t want to care about anything else.
Only Marigold was concerned. “She won’t do anything to us, will she?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be here to protect you both in the future.” He embraced her, looking at her with nothing but love. “Let’s go home.
Our home.” Gilbert took her hand and held Caleb in the other. He led them onward.
Marigold did not refuse.
Home.
She wanted one so much. A home that belonged to the three of them.
She was finally getting what she always wished for. Right this moment, all the pain that she had gone through suddenly felt worth
it. Maybe all the bad days were over, and the good days were finally waiting for them.
“Don’t you dare disappoint me, Gilbert,” she thought.
The End.