Chapter 134

Chapter 134

"Court me back."

Those few words became Brandon's guiding principle for everything that followed.

He didn't rush things or pull rank. This man who once commanded the business world and controlled everything learned the clumsiest yet most sincere approach—waiting and being present.

Spring arrived, and the park's ice melted. Scarlett officially joined Ethan's medical center as an attending physician. Every morning at seven o'clock, a black Maybach pulled up outside her Upper East Side apartment building. Brandon never went upstairs to disturb her. He simply had his driver deliver a perfectly heated Americano and breakfast.

Summer came, and the neurosurgery research project Scarlett led entered its critical phase. She spent an entire week holed up in the lab. Brandon personally donated two of the world's most advanced MRI machines to the medical center. He never mentioned remarriage—just held an umbrella in silence under the streetlights when she got off work late at night, walked two blocks with her, then watched her disappear into her apartment building.

Fall arrived, and Scarlett was invited to speak at the National Medical Summit in Luminous City. The nation's top experts filled the audience. Brandon wore an understated dark suit, sitting in the corner of the back row. His gaze followed Scarlett onstage, his eyes full of pride and focus. When the conference ended, he presented her with a bouquet of white lilies, said only "You did great," then turned and left without creating any social pressure for her.

The barriers between them melted bit by bit under time's gentle erosion. Scarlett noticed the increasing bloodshot veins in his eyes, saw how he rescheduled international conferences to the early morning hours to accommodate her surgery schedule. The ice around her heart finally shattered completely.

Winter came, and Imperial City welcomed its first snow.

Christmas Eve, outside Haven Healthcare Hospital. Scarlett had just finished a ten-hour surgery. As she walked out of the lobby, cold wind mixed with snowflakes hit her face.

Under the streetlight, Brandon stood in a black overcoat, a thin layer of snow on his shoulders. He held a thermos in his hands. When he saw her emerge, he hurried forward and wrapped a thick cashmere scarf around her neck.

"Ursa made soup. It's still hot." His voice was hoarse from the wind, but his eyes remained warm.

Scarlett looked down at the scarf around her neck, then at the man's fingertips, red from the cold. Three hundred and sixty-five days—he hadn't missed a single one.

She drew in a breath of cold air, then took the initiative. She slipped her hand into Brandon's coat pocket and grasped his freezing hand.

Brandon's whole body jolted. He looked down at her in disbelief.

"Brandon," Scarlett raised her eyes, starlight flickering in them. "Let's drink the soup at home. I'm cold."

That one word—'home'—made this man who never flinched even when his empire crumbled instantly tear up. He gripped Scarlett's hand in return, so tightly he almost crushed it into his bones.

"Okay. Let's go home."

The moment she accepted Brandon, Scarlett knew that this man would smooth out every bump in the road ahead for her.

Three months later, Long Island.

A wedding that shook the entire business world and the nation's social circles took place at Seaside Manor.

The night before the wedding, Brandon brought in a top legal team and laid a series of documents before Scarlett. Fifty-one percent controlling stake in the Robinson Group, five prime commercial properties in Phoenix City's core districts, the deed to Long Island Estate, and all beneficiary names in the family trust fund—everything changed to Scarlett's name.

"What are you doing?" Scarlett looked at the pile of legal documents worth a fortune, her brow furrowing slightly.

"This is Mrs. Robinson's security." Brandon placed a pen in her hand, his gaze unwavering. "From today forward, everything in the Robinson family is yours to manage. I'm your employee. If I ever hurt you again, you can leave me penniless and homeless anytime."

He placed his entire fortune, his lifeline, in her hands without reservation. He wanted to declare to all of Imperial City, to everyone—Scarlett wasn't Brandon's accessory. She was the true owner of the Robinson Group.

On the wedding day, the weather was clear, sea breezes rustling through the estate's white roses.

Political and business elites, top medical luminaries—all gathered.

Scarlett wore a haute couture wedding gown, walking down the aisle accompanied by her late mother's best friend and her uncle David. At the end of the red carpet, Brandon stood in an impeccably tailored black tuxedo, his eyes never leaving her. That look—as if he were gazing at a deity he'd lost and found again.

The symphony orchestra played solemn music. Scarlett walked toward him, step by step.

In her mind, memories rewound like a film. The despair in Shadow City's alley, the rupture in the hospital room, the confrontation in the basement, then this past year's unwavering presence through rain and shine. She'd walked through endless pain and finally saw clearly into her own heart.

She loved him.

Not out of habit, not out of compromise, but with a love carved into her bones. Because she loved him so deeply, the hurt back then had cut so deep. And because she loved him so deeply, when she saw him risk his life to protect her, her heart fell again.

Reaching the altar, Brandon took her hand. His palm was slick with sweat—he was even more nervous than she was.

The priest recited the sacred vows.

"I do." Scarlett looked into his eyes and spoke those words clearly and firmly.

Tears glistened in Brandon's eyes. He placed the priceless pink diamond wedding ring on Scarlett's finger, then wrapped his arm around her waist, lowered his head, and kissed her lips.

Gone was the violence and force of the past. This kiss was full of devotion, treasuring, and intensely profound emotion.

Applause thundered across the great lawn. Sophia sat in the place of honor, leaning on her cane, tears streaming down her face as she nodded continuously. Ethan, David, and everyone present offered their most sincere blessings to this couple who'd survived life-and-death trials to finally be together.

During the evening banquet, lights sparkled and guests mingled with raised glasses.

Scarlett changed into a lighter white evening gown. She'd just stepped out of the banquet hall to get some air on the terrace when a refined figure blocked her path.

It was Alex.

He'd deliberately worn a formal charcoal gray suit today, radiating mature masculine elegance. Seeing Scarlett, a look of acceptance crossed his eyes as he smiled.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Scarlett." Alex handed her an exquisite forest-green velvet gift box. "It was crowded earlier. I wanted to give you this gift privately."

Scarlett accepted the box and opened it. Inside was an antique brooch of significant historical value. On the back, a line of Latin was engraved: Forever free, forever proud.

"This is too expensive..."

"Take it." Alex gently interrupted her. "It's a token of my regard."

Just then, steady, powerful footsteps approached. Brandon seemed to have radar—he quickly emerged from the banquet hall. Seeing Alex alone with Scarlett, instinctive vigilance and possessiveness flashed in his eyes. He strode forward, naturally wrapping his arm around Scarlett's waist and pulling her into his embrace.

"Mr. Lewis, apologies for any lack of hospitality." Brandon's tone was polite, but his arm tightened possessively as his sharp gaze fixed on Alex.

Alex looked at Brandon's bristling, defensive posture and couldn't help but smile.

"Mr. Robinson, no need to guard against me like that." Alex stepped forward, his expression turning solemn. He looked at Scarlett, then at Brandon, his voice clear and firm. "In business, everyone knows I'm all about the bottom line. But with Scarlett, I've long considered her my little sister."

Scarlett froze slightly, looking at Alex.

Alex gave her a reassuring smile, then turned his gaze like a blade toward Brandon, his tone carrying an unmistakable warning. "Brandon, from today forward, Scarlett isn't just your wife—she's my family. I'm entrusting my sister to you. If you ever bully her again, if you make her shed even one more tear, I don't care how massive the Robinson Group is. I'll burn through my entire fortune and fight you to the bitter end to take her away."

Two titans of capital faced off on the terrace, sparks practically crackling in the air.

Brandon looked into Alex's eyes—straightforward and protective—and his wariness slowly dissipated. He tightened his hold on Scarlett, standing ramrod straight.

Then Brandon raised his right hand, looking directly at Alex and up at the starlit sky, his voice deliberate and resolute. "I swear before God. In this lifetime, Scarlett is my only wife. I will love her with my life, with everything I have, and protect her forever. If I break this oath, may I lose everything and die without a grave."

The vow landed heavily on the terrace.

Alex looked at the absolute determination in Brandon's eyes and finally nodded with satisfaction.

"Remember what you said today."

Alex turned and walked toward the distance. Stella stood obediently at the edge of the steps in her pink flower girl dress, waiting.

"Congratulations, Aunt Scarlett!" Stella waved sweetly at Scarlett.

Alex took Stella's hand, looked at Scarlett one last time with a blessing in his eyes, and walked away into the estate's night without looking back.

The terrace fell completely quiet. The sea breeze carried the faint scent of roses.

Brandon turned around and cupped Scarlett's face in both hands. His gaze was scorching and deep, like a net wrapping her up completely.

"Did you hear that, Mrs. Robinson?" Brandon lowered his head, his nose touching hers, his voice low and commanding. "If you're ever wronged, someone's got my back now."

Scarlett looked at his chiseled face so close to hers, a slight smile playing at her lips. "So Mr. Robinson better be on his best behavior from now on."

"I'll definitely be on my best behavior."

Brandon let out a low sigh, unable to restrain himself any longer. He lowered his head and kissed her lips fiercely. He tightened his arms, pressing her seamlessly against his chest, feeling their hearts pounding wildly against each other.

He moved across her lips with ultimate tenderness and bone-deep possession, commanding her with authority. "Lettie, in your eyes, in your heart—from now on, you can only hold one man. Me."

The night was tender, waves lapping gently against the rocks. The long pain and torment had finally ended. Their life together, their forever, was only just beginning in this deeply loving embrace.