Chapter 242

Chapter 242

Gwen lowered her gaze to sip her tea when the tearoom door suddenly swung open.

Zachary rushed in, only to find Orion and Gwen sitting face-to-face.

He asked nervously, "Grandpa, what did you say?"

His protective attitude toward his wife irritated Orion. "What kind of tone is that? I'm still your elder, aren't I? You think I'd make things difficult for a young woman?"

Gwen looked at Zachary and shook her head, silently reassuring him she was fine.

Zachary exhaled in relief. "Grandpa, I didn't mean it that way. I just heard you two were meeting, and I thought..."

"Save it. I know exactly what you meant. But I'm not going to argue with you kids." He turned to Gwen. "Alright, I won't intrude on your time together. Don't want you saying I'm meddling. I'm leaving!"

Gwen quickly stood and walked Orion to the door.

After watching him leave, she turned back to Zachary. "Relax. Your grandpa really didn't say anything bad. He just asked when we're getting married."

Zachary let out another breath. "That's good. He mentioned wanting to meet you before, but I was afraid you weren't ready, so I never brought it up."

Gwen nodded, then suddenly said, "Zachary, let's get married."

Zachary's breath caught. For a moment he thought he was dreaming. It took him a long while to process what she'd said.

He stared at her, dumbfounded. Finally, he managed, "Now?"

Gwen couldn't help but laugh. "What are you talking about? How could it be right now?"

Zachary realized what he'd just said and felt embarrassed, but his joy overwhelmed every other emotion.

He leaned down and pulled her into his arms. "I... I'm just so happy."

"I know." Gwen patted his shoulder. "I told you before—I wanted to meet your family first before considering marriage. Your grandpa seems like he doesn't hate me."

Perhaps because Zachary really was different from everyone else, the resistance Gwen once felt toward marriage vanished completely when she faced him.

Over all this time, Zachary had been so good to her. They'd known each other long enough that Gwen understood his character and who he was as a person.

Her career was taking off now, and it would only get better. Gwen felt she finally had the right to stand beside Zachary.

After deciding to get married, Gwen went to meet Zachary's parents.

Zachary's parents rarely involved themselves in company matters, spending most of their time traveling abroad. By coincidence, they'd just returned home, so they met with Gwen.

They were very pleased with her. Her previous marriage didn't matter to them at all.

After all, they'd traveled the world and seen so much. To choose courageously after one mistake, to invest in another relationship—that took strength.

Gwen was a designer, so after they decided to marry, she designed their wedding outfits.

She'd actually designed them long ago. But back then, Justin had refused to give her a wedding, so all her designs had felt like a cruel joke.

Gwen wasn't someone who particularly enjoyed crowds, so the wedding guest list included only their closest friends and family.

They invited no one else.

"You two are moving way too fast. You've barely been dating, and now you're getting married." In the bridal suite, Susan couldn't help teasing as she watched Gwen getting her makeup done.

But seeing her best friend looking so beautiful today, she couldn't help smiling. "Though you look absolutely stunning today. Did you design this wedding dress yourself? When I get married, will you design one for me too?"

Gwen nodded. "Of course."

She was naturally beautiful, and her recent happiness meant she barely needed makeup to look radiant.

The makeup artist remarked, "Ms. Winston, your skin has been glowing lately. The makeup just melts right in."

Susan chimed in playfully, "When you're this happy, how could your skin not glow?"

They say skin reflects your state of mind. Clearly, that was true.

Susan nudged Gwen's arm. "Tell me the truth. You and Zachary... have you two...?"

Gwen shook her head. "No..."

Susan's eyes widened. "You're kidding, right? I've seen the way he looks at you—like he wants to devour you. And you're telling me you haven't...?"

Gwen quickly covered her mouth. "Keep your voice down!"

Susan nodded, whispering, "But why? I can tell he really likes you. Why haven't you two...?"

"I don't know either." Gwen could feel how much Zachary liked her. When they spent time together, there had been moments when things almost got heated. But ever since they decided to get married, Zachary had completely changed.

Listening to Gwen's explanation, Susan immediately understood. "He's probably waiting for the wedding night..."

Now that she thought about it, that was exactly like Zachary.

He probably felt their previous time together wasn't formal enough, so he wanted the wedding night to be the right moment. That's why he refused to take that step.

Susan clicked her tongue. "I had no idea he was such a romantic. You really hit the jackpot."

"Mr. Quinn hit the jackpot too," the makeup artist said with a smile. "Ms. Winston, you might not know this, but Mr. Quinn personally found me. Not just the makeup—he handled the entire wedding venue himself. He clearly adores you."

The makeup artist believed anyone treated with such genuine care must be someone truly special.

Gwen lowered her head, smiling shyly.

The bouquet in her hands was exceptionally beautiful. Gwen studied it for a moment. "When I toss the bouquet later, do you want it?"

Susan nodded. "Of course! When will I ever get married?"

The door suddenly opened. Zachary entered the room and nodded at Susan in greeting.

He came up behind Gwen, gently resting his hand on her shoulder. "Gwen..."

Gwen felt how cool his palm was and reached up to hold his hand.

They smiled at each other, perfectly in sync.

Susan quickly said, "Alright, you two, stop being so sweet. The ceremony's about to start!"

Their wedding wasn't like traditional ceremonies where the bride's father walks her down the aisle.

Zachary thought it would be better if they walked into the ceremony together. That's why he appeared now.

At the entrance to the wedding hall, Gwen slipped her hand through Zachary's arm and looked up at him. "Mr. Quinn, from now on, we walk this path together."

Zachary smiled softly. "Yes."

The End