Chapter 1725


    Daniel hugged Maisie tightly, his strength almost suffocating her. It was as if holding her tightly was the


    only way to


    keep her from running away.


    "Daniel..." Maisie gently patted his back. "What happened? Can you please tell me..."


    "I lost my appetite." Daniel released her and took a deep breath, adjusting his emotions. He managed


    to force a


    smile. "Can we not eat at home?"


    "Sure..." Maisie nodded, feeling more concerned about him than curious about what had happened.


    She was ready


    to follow his lead.


    Daniel held her hand and fled the house as though he was escaping. He had never thought he would


    experience


    fear like this—fear that the sealed-off past would resurface, fear that the old scars would be ripped


    open again.


    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Most of all, he was afraid he would lose her forever.


    "Maisie, let''s get married as soon as possible," he said, his voice strained, almost pleading in her ear.


    Maisie, who was taken aback, stared at him in astonishment. His eyes were red, and there was


    something she


    couldn''t quiteprehend in his gaze.


    "When we get married, we''ll leave this ce right away. Where do you want to go? Centrolis? Or


    abroad? I''ll take


    you wherever you want. I could give up everything here... I..." Daniel began to speak incoherently, his


    mind restless.


    Maisie stood on her tiptoes and gently embraced him. Her scentforted him somewhat.


    "Daniel," she said softly. "Owen can be annoying sometimes, but don''t take his words to heart. I can


    call and scold


    him to help you vent your anger, okay?"


    Daniel looked at her with a bitter smile. She thought that Owen had said something offensive to


    provoke such a


    reaction. However, if she ever remembered their past, or even recalled where that child was buried,


    she would


    hate him to the core and she wouldn''t be so gentle with him anymore.


    "I''m willing to marry you." Maisie''s eyes sparkled with a smile. "But shouldn''t you also introduce me to


    your family?


    Do you really want me to follow you in secret and be with you unofficially?"


    "Of course not! I''ll marry you openly. I want to tell the whole world that you''re my wife!"


    "Why are you reacting so strongly?"


    Maisie wiped the sweat off his forehead and chuckled. Although she was surprised by his reaction, it


    filled her heart


    with warmth.


    "So let''s take our time getting married," she said softly, "You don''t want to make things hard for me


    either, right?"


    Daniel couldn''t find the words to respond, so he simply held her close.


    She didn''t understand his thoughts, the urgency he felt, and the deep guilt and regret he carried within


    him.


    Then, Maisie''s phone rang. She looked at the screen and answered the call.


    "Hello!" A cheerful voice came from the other end of the line. "Is this... Dansie?"


    Maisie paused. This voice sounded familiar. Not long ago, she had submitted a manuscript to test the


    waters.


    Surprisingly, the woman she had met at the coffee shop had decided to call her.


    "Well, I think it''s time we stop beating around the bush!" Lilyughed. "Let me introduce myself formally.


    I''m Lily


    Reyes, also known as Lilian on my business card. I''ve already read your submission, and I like your


    writing style. If


    you''re interested, you''re wee to visit mypany!"


    "Really?" Maisie''s heart leaped with joy.


    "Don''t worry. I don''t run a scampany."


    "No, no... I''m just a little excited. I didn''t expect to be recognized on my first submission!"