Chapter 749 Elliot's Early Marriage 3
Elliot popped a grape into Diana's mouth before she could protest. "What's on your mind? If you really want him, go get him back."
Diana chewed, swallowed, and muttered under her breath. "Are you nuts?"
Back then, she and Dwayne had split because the family disapproved. There was no way she could go chasing after him now.
Elliot's gaze locked on hers, unblinking. Then he smiled faintly. "He's still in Evergreen City. Has been for years. Never changed his address. Never went back to marry that fiancee everyone thought he would. Diana, maybe you should be braver. Look at Molly—when we met again after what she did to me when we were younger, she cried and begged to be with me. I didn't stand a chance."
Molly's cheeks burned, but with Sarah and Diana right there, she didn't dare argue.
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Stop talking nonsense, Elliot. You'll scare her off, and then you'll be the one crying."
"Elliot doesn't cry," Diana cut in sweetly. "He just wets his pants."
Elliot hooked an arm around her neck and squeezed until she squealed, threatening her to take it back. Diana's eyes watered as she laughed and mumbled an apology.
Molly watched them, a quiet smile tugging at her lips.
Just then, Jacob walked in from outside. Molly had pegged him as the serious type, but the moment he saw the freshly cooked dishes, he grabbed a fork, took a bite, and nodded in approval.
The kitchen was warm, filled with the easy noise of the Windsor family. Molly felt a swell of contentment.
At dinner, Oliver and Sarah had given the household staff the night off. Only family gathered in the dining room, passing plates and cutlery themselves. The Windsor men waited on their wives without complaint. Diana kept one eye on Abigail, since Serafina was expecting again.
Naturally, the conversation drifted to Elliot and Molly's wedding.
They had already decided—after the New Year, they would marry. But no children yet. Oliver and Sarah approved wholeheartedly.
"Molly's still young," Sarah said. "No rush. Get married first."
Elliot ruffled Molly's hair like she was the most precious thing in the world. "We'll keep it just the two of us for a few years."
Molly stayed quiet.
He glanced down at her, his gaze warm and indulgent, a blend of tender affection and a quiet protectiveness, as if he could shelter her from the world and start anew.
The thought of her carrying a child now felt wrong to him—he wanted her to have more time to simply be.
The rest of the family wanted to laugh, but the truth of it sobered them. Molly had endured too much. Her past didn't matter to them—what mattered was that Elliot loved her, and that they were happy.
Night fell fully outside, the grounds beyond the windows swallowed in darkness, while the mansion glowed with warm light.
There was nothing elaborate planned—just dinner together. Afterward, Sarah led Molly upstairs. As she had once done for Serafina, she presented a lavish first-meeting gift: a jewelry box packed with glittering treasures.
The pieces were so extravagant Molly couldn't bring herself to keep them. She carried the box downstairs and handed it to Elliot.
He flipped it open, the contents catching the light in a dazzling burst. Then he looked at her, and she looked back. Placing the box back into her hands, he said, "What would I do with these? I can't exactly wear them out."
From his wallet, he pulled a platinum credit card and pressed it into her palm. "My secondary card. Go buy me some shirts and underwear while you're at it."
Diana leaned in with a grin. "Molly, I'll go shopping with you, but you have to cook for me," she teased.
Molly laughed and agreed.
She weighed the gifts in her hands, her heart full. She had known hardship all her life, had dreamed impossible dreams—but dreams were just that. Now, somehow, they had taken shape. Solid. Real.
Elliot was real. This happiness was real. And the family she now had was real.
Her face carried a careful, almost fragile joy that made everyone want to protect her.
Oliver slid an envelope across the table. "A house," he said simply. "For you."
Molly's eyes shone with tears.