Chapter 223 At Last, She Became His Lover
Chapter 223 At Last, She Became His Lover
"You're Terrence's girlfriend?" Donald's voice was low but carried weight.
"Yes." Eleanor's tone was calm. "Mr. Thornton, hello."
Donald looked her up and down, his tone neutral. "I heard you're divorced."
The living room suddenly fell silent.
Jane opened her mouth, about to say something, but was stopped by a look from Donald.
Eleanor didn't back down. She remained composed and answered directly, "Yes."
Donald continued, "Why did you get divorced?"
Eleanor looked up at him. "That marriage made me unhappy. Leaving gave me a chance to live a normal life. I don't regret the divorce, and I don't think divorce is something to be ashamed of."
Donald narrowed his eyes, his gaze darkening slightly. "You're quite bold."
Eleanor didn't look away. "Lying to you would be the real disrespect."
Donald was silent for a few seconds, the lines on his face softening a bit. "Alright, you've got your own mind."
Jane quietly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly brought over the birthday gift Eleanor had prepared.
The gift was a set of custom-made silk robes, with quality fabric and fine craftsmanship. Eleanor had sewn the buttons on herself, stitch by stitch.
Donald reached out to touch the garment, and there was clearly more approval in his eyes.
After the birthday banquet began, Jane deliberately arranged for Eleanor to sit beside her. She held Eleanor's hand and introduced her to every relative who came to toast, "This is Terrence's girlfriend, Eleanor."
Eleanor nodded to each face and responded appropriately.
A few relatives walked over with wine glasses, saying congratulations but with scrutinizing looks in their eyes.
A middle-aged woman in an embroidered dress lowered her voice to someone beside her, "I heard she's divorced and has a child."
She deliberately controlled her volume just enough for Eleanor to hear clearly.
Before Eleanor could speak, Jane shot back, "So what if she's divorced? My future daughter-in-law is better than many who haven't been divorced. If you're so capable, go find someone this competent yourself."
Those relatives were shut down by that remark and stopped talking, retreating to the side with their wine.
Terrence walked over and held Eleanor's hand in front of the relatives. "Eleanor is the only person I want to be with for the rest of my life. Anyone who has a problem with her is questioning the Thornton family."
The people around them fell silent.
Eleanor looked up at him, warmth spreading through her chest.
He rarely said things like this in front of others, but once he did, he was publicly taking her side.
Donald held his wine glass, looking at the two of them. After a moment of silence, he finally nodded. "Who you marry is your own decision. I won't interfere."
He had Jane bring out the gift he'd prepared—a pair of jade bracelets that had been passed down for several generations.
Donald handed the jade bracelets to Eleanor, his voice not loud but clear and firm. "This is for the future lady of the Thornton family. Keep them safe."
Eleanor took the jade bracelets, her fingertips trembling slightly, her eyes welling up. "Thank you."
Jane smiled so wide she couldn't close her mouth, holding Eleanor's hand the whole time.
Maya sat in the guest section, watching from afar as Eleanor was truly accepted by the Thornton family, her eyes suddenly blurring.
She raised her hand to wipe the moisture from the corners of her eyes, smiling as she said to Ralph beside her, "Eleanor finally made it through."
Ralph nodded, looking at Eleanor and Terrence on stage, a smile on his lips.
He said silently in his heart, 'Finnian, don't worry. Eleanor is really happy now.'
He couldn't help wondering when Finnian would be able to see this moment with his own eyes.
On a late autumn evening, the university campus was covered with a layer of golden ginkgo leaves, the paths more than half covered by fallen leaves.
Terrence held Eleanor's hand, walking slowly through the campus.
He stopped in front of a teaching building. "Do you remember this place?"
Eleanor looked at the all-too-familiar building, stunned for a moment. "This is..."
Terrence gazed at that old window. "Years ago, you played a piece here. It was ''Swan's Enchantment,' you played it on the violin. I was passing by and heard it, and I was captivated. You were wearing a white dress, your hair in a ponytail, the sunset coming through the window, and you were completely bathed in light."
Eleanor turned to look at him. "You noticed me back then?"
"I didn't know you then." Terrence shook his head. "I stood in the stairwell, watching you play the entire piece. I wanted to go up and talk to you, but I didn't have the courage."
Eleanor's eyes gradually reddened. She used a light tone to dissolve the ache in her heart. "You had a crush on me for all these years?"
She hadn't expected that he too had a time when he didn't dare take that step.
"Yes." Terrence took out a small box from his pocket and then knelt down on one knee in front of her.
He looked up at her. "Eleanor, I've wanted to walk up to you and say hello since I was eighteen. But because I didn't dare speak up, I missed you. Later you got married, and I thought I'd lost my chance forever. But you came back."
He opened the small box. Inside was a pink diamond ring.
"This ring—I bought it with the first money I earned. I've kept it for ten years, waiting for the day I could give it to you."
Tears immediately fell from Eleanor's eyes. Her throat tightened, but at the same time filled with an intense emotion.
Terrence's voice was gentle but without a trace of hesitation. "Will you marry me?"
Eleanor's lips trembled slightly, but her answer was clear. "Yes."
She had no reason to refuse.
Terrence put the ring on her ring finger, stood up, and held her tightly in his arms.
In that moment, she completely entered his life, and he officially entered her future.
The evening light fell on them, stretching their shadows long.
Suddenly, lights on the teaching building began turning on, layer by layer.
Eleanor was startled and turned to look, discovering that each floor's windows had lights hanging by them, forming the words "MARRY ME" from bottom to top.
The entire building stood out brightly against the darkening sky, like a backdrop set up specifically for this moment.
She froze, then turned back to look at Terrence. "You arranged this too?"
"I rented out this whole building." Terrence's tone was matter-of-fact.
Eleanor couldn't imagine how he'd convinced the school to agree.
Terrence reached out to pull her along. "Come on, let's go up and look."
Eleanor followed him up. She discovered that with each floor they climbed, there was another photo on the wall.
The first floor's photo was of the university campus scenery. The second floor had a photo of a girl's back, with a ponytail, wearing a white dress, walking on a path. Eleanor recognized at a glance—that was her from years ago.
The third floor, fourth floor, fifth floor... each floor had photos of her.
In the photos, there was her college appearance, her busy in the studio, her frowning while drawing, and moments of unguarded laughter. In some photos she looked at the camera, others were clearly candid shots.
All these photos were taken by Terrence.
Eleanor looked at them one by one, tears streaming down continuously, crying harder and harder, yet her heart settled down, as if all her hesitation was being filled bit by bit.
She asked in a hoarse voice, "When did you take these?"
Terrence looked at her, his gaze tender. "From when I was eighteen until now. I just didn't want to forget any version of you."
They walked all the way to the top floor, where Eleanor saw a piano.
Terrence pulled her over. The window was large, light streaming in, falling on the black and white keys, and also on her hands.
Eleanor looked at the piano, and for a moment, it was as if she was back to her younger self standing in that classroom.
Terrence knelt on one knee again, holding her hand, his voice low but each word clear, "Eleanor, I've waited too long for this moment. From now on, I'll be by your side for every moment of yours."