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Instantly, every memory from the past flooded her mind.
Maureen’s throat tightened as the Geoff from her memories truly appeared before her again.
“I…I know you.”
Maureen’s voice trembled with nervousness.
Truthfully, her reluctance to confront Alex wasn’t just because she was married with a child now- fear played a big part too.
“Then why avoid me earlier? And back home, why wouldn’t
you call my name?”
Alex asked gently.
Maureen lowered her head, avoiding his gaze. “I was too embarrassed.”
She missed the faint redness blooming at the corner of Alex’s eyes.
“It’s cold out. Let’s talk in the car, alright?”
Alex’s gentle voice felt like winter sun.
Maureen nodded. “Okay.‘
She followed Alex into the car. Warm air from the vents enveloped them.
Finally, she couldn’t hold back. “Can I ask… why you told me you were Geoff before?”
Alex finally waited for her question. He parted his thin lips: “Reenie, you came to the Sutton family very young. Did you ever hear about twins in our family?”
Maureen shook her head.
Had she known Geoffrey had a twin brother, she’d have questioned whether she’d mistaken the man she loved.
But ever since her parents brought her to Karaville, during her occasional visits to the Sutton home-
and from outsiders‘ conversations–she’d never heard Geoffrey was a twin.
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“Because I was born critically ill–couldn’t tolerate cold, feared sunlight. As a child, I lived almost entirely in intensive care. My family once thought I wouldn’t survive.”
“So they never revealed my existence to the world.”
“When my condition later stabilized, I returned home. But my body remained frail. I had virtually no contact with outsiders… except you.”
Alex continued: “I told you I was Geoffrey back then for two reasons. First, I feared you’d reject me for my illness. Second, the Suttons wouldn’t want a burden appearing publicly.”
Maureen listened quietly, finally understanding his plight.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know any of this.”
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“I didn’t avoid you on purpose or pretend not to know you. I just… didn’t know how to face you.”
“Or what I should say when we met.”
“I’ve always remembered how you helped me and kept me company as a child. I remember all of it.”
Maureen’s eyes reddened as tears escaped without warning.
Suddenly she felt wretched–she’d distanced herself from someone who’d cherished her like an elder brother for those very reasons.
Alex reached out to wipe her tears.
Maureen instinctively flinched away.
His hand froze midair.
“Reenie, do you remember our promise?”
Maureen lifted her gaze to meet his.
“You promised to wait for me and marry me. Remember?”
Alex spoke each word deliberately.
Maureen stiffened slightly, her face turning ashen.
Back then, she’d taken a stab wound while saving him.
He’d held her tightly, whispering: “Wait for me. When I return, we’ll marry.”
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The sear still marks Maureen’s back.
His words had made her marry Geoffrey without hesitation.
Yet it all turned out to be one huge misunderstanding.
“I’m married now. You know that.”
Shame tightened Maureen’s fists, her nails digging into her palms.
“And you’re engaged too. Let’s just forget our old promise.”
Alex’s voice caught. “I’ll call it off immediately if you’re willing.”
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His meaning couldn’t be clearer. Back then, he agreed to marry Elizabeth partly because of Heather, and partly to see how Maureen would react.
Now he was forcing Maureen to choose.
Maureen heard him out and flatly refused without hesitation.
“Sorry.”
Even if she divorced Geoffrey, she wouldn’t marry Alex again.
She wasn’t the Maureen from before anymore. She had Ethan and Jacob, plus the baby in her womb.
She didn’t deserve the Alex of today either.
Alex hadn’t expected such an immediate rejection. Unwilling to accept it, he pressed, “Reenie, what’s holding you back?”
“I’ll handle my brother’s situation. I’ll make him divorce you, and arrange care for him afterward.”
Seeing Maureen remain unmoved, Alex gave a bitter smile.
“If it weren’t for him, the one you should have married is me.”
Had Alex returned earlier–during those first three years after Maureen married Geoffrey–she’d have agreed without hesitation.
But everything had changed now.
Maureen could only apologize again. “Sorry.”
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She pulled the car door open to leave, but the next second, Alex yanked her into his arms.
Chapter Four Hundred and Eight
Maureen’s body stiffened as she hastily broke free from Alex’s embrace.
“I’m already married.”
Panic flooded her eyes, every trace of resistance crystal clear to Alex.
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Alex’s throat tightened. After a long pause, he withdrew his hand, loneliness clouding his gaze: “Can we still be friends?”
Maureen steadied herself, meeting his eyes softly: “Yes. We’re more than friends now. We’re family.”
“I’ll come to your engagement.”
“Okay. I’ll wait for you.”
Alex forced a thin smile.
“Nothing else? I should go.”
Maureen trudged back through the snow.