Chapter 67 To Marry James

Chapter 67 To Marry James
"The mastermind was right there!" I felt shocked and terrified at the same time.

Shocked that the mastermind had killed those two kidnappers so close to where we were. Terrified that if we'd been any slower, this mastermind could have returned to check on Matthew. If they'd found out he wasn't dead, they'd definitely try to kill him.

I held Matthew tighter. Thank God Julio's tip came in time, letting us find Matthew as fast as possible.

"We've also cleared up Julio's situation," Morrison continued. "His casino has legal operating permits. We didn't find anything else on the yacht. The police can't restrict him to that house anymore. As for him restricting your freedom, the court will schedule a hearing."

"He must be swamped right now, facing multiple lawsuits."

I wasn't saying this out of sympathy for Julio. He killed my parents. Nothing could make him deserve sympathy.

"Once Julio can move freely again, he'll definitely come hassle Ashley! Can't you apply for an extension?" James looked upset.

"We originally restricted Julio's movement because we suspected he was using the yacht casino for other illegal activities. But our investigation found nothing, so we can't charge him." Morrison explained to James.

I was a lawyer myself. I roughly understood these police procedures. This wasn't something Morrison could control.

"You can apply for a Civil Harassment Restraining Order. That would temporarily keep him away from you," Morrison suggested.

"I'll consider it. Thanks, Morrison."

"Ashley, you should apply right away! Now that Julio knows Matthew's real identity, he'll definitely come looking for you both immediately."

I touched Matthew's little face. He was getting sleepy again.

The blood loss made him drowsy these past few days. I put him down so he could lie on the bed.

Matthew slowly closed his eyes. I motioned for James and Morrison to step outside.

Morrison still had work to handle, so he said goodbye.

"Since Julio already knows, there's no way to stop him from seeing Matthew. The more you try to stop Julio, the more extreme he gets."

I patiently explained my thinking to James. He'd been agitated these past few days.

I knew too much had happened recently. James was still young and couldn't handle it all. I thought I needed more patience in dealing with James.

"But he might take Matthew away! Matthew can't live without you. Ashley, would you really let Matthew lose his mother?" James grabbed my hand, trying to make me reconsider.

"James, don't worry. With Julio's current situation, he can't compete with me for Matthew's custody. I think Matthew needs to know the truth. He has the right to know who his father is."

Especially knowing that Matthew really liked Julio, I couldn't keep hiding it from Matthew.

He was only two, but he'd been an independent person since birth. I needed to let him know the truth. When he grew up, he'd have the right to make his own choices.

"Ashley, why are you always so soft on Julio? Do you still love him?"

I frowned at James. I thought he'd been acting strange lately.

He always saw things in extremes. Like with Matthew's kidnapping. If this were before, he would've been able to tell someone was deliberately framing Julio. But this time he was convinced it was Julio from start to finish.

And he kept trying to make me believe Julio had arranged Matthew's kidnapping. Whenever I tried to tell him it wasn't like that, he'd get agitated and cut me off.

I didn't know what was making him act this way.

"Ashley, why won't you answer? You do still love Julio!" James suddenly pulled me into his arms.

He held me so tight I could barely breathe.

"Ashley, you can't leave me! You can only be mine! You're my lover! The person you love should be me! You can never leave my side!"

I patted James's shoulder. "James, calm down. I don't love Julio anymore. This is only about Matthew."

With my reassurance, James relaxed a little.

"You really don't love him anymore, right?" James asked for confirmation again.

I nodded, giving James a definite answer.

"Then let's get married." James looked at me earnestly.

My brain went completely blank. I never expected James to propose.

We were still in the getting-to-know-each-other stage. We hadn't even confirmed a romantic relationship.

And after these past few days, I felt my relationship with James shouldn't continue.

"James, this is too sudden. Our relationship isn't at the marriage stage yet."

"Let's get married! Once we're married, you'll belong to me completely. I'll never have to worry about Julio taking you away again."

James started pulling me toward the elevator.

"We can go get the paperwork done now. There's still time today."

James couldn't hear anything I was saying. I tried to pull back, but he was too strong. He was dragging me along.

"James! Stop! What are you doing?" I kept my voice low, mindful that we were in a hospital.

"Ashley, don't worry. The paperwork is quick. We've lived together so long, we already know each other. Everything will be just like before."

"Enough!" I used all my strength to break free from James's grip.

My wrist hurt, but it couldn't compare to the pain in my heart.

James had completely changed! He used to be such a kind, warm person. Now he was obsessive and crazy.

I thought it was my fault. He'd lived with me since childhood. I must not have raised him right, letting him become like this.

"Ashley, are you going to leave me too?" James's gray eyes stared at me seriously.

He looked like he wanted to devour me. Being stared at like that made me shiver with fear.

"James, I won't leave you. You're my brother, my family. We'll always be family."

I overcame my inner fear and spoke to James seriously.

I was his sister. I had a duty to correct him when he made mistakes.

"But why won't you marry me? If we get married, we can become a real family!"

"Because our current situation isn't right for marriage."

"Why isn't it right? We've lived together for years. I know all your habits, and you know mine. All we're missing is a marriage certificate, isn't that right?"

I took a deep breath and told James I didn't want to continue with him.

"We should go back to just being family like before."