Chapter 203 Her Forehead Resting on His Chest
Amelia stared at York standing before her.
"That was many years ago." Her eyes grew slightly moist.
York smiled and nodded. "Yes, many, many years ago."
From many, many years ago until today.
His feelings for her had never stopped, not for a single day.
Even knowing she had married someone else.
On her wedding day, he had watched from afar, looking in her direction, watching her in her wedding dress standing beside another man.
Watching them set off fireworks across the entire city together.
He was jealous.
That's why he wanted to prepare that drone fireworks show that day—he wanted to outdo everything William had given her. He wanted a place in her heart.
"Come with me." Seeing her eyes growing moist, he led her to other paintings.
"This is when you were buying spices at the port." York pointed to a painting, along with a corresponding photo and the spices she had bought back then.
"This one is at..."
"This one is in Novaria, when you and William were caught in a trap. That was the first time I helped, sending you away."
Amelia froze slightly, looking at that small boat.
"This..."
She still remembered what happened that year. When they fled in haste, the future uncertain, afraid the boat might sink midway, also afraid enemies might appear ahead.
That year, she and William huddled together in the cramped cabin, having only each other left.
Now she learned that during this escape, he was there too—York.
"I dealt with some problems you left behind in Novaria and had my people follow your boat to protect you as you left."
Back then, he stood on the deck, watching the boat carrying her and William gradually disappear into the distance.
"The blue rain was also discovered during that time in Novaria." York said softly.
Before Amelia's eyes appeared the sky full of blue rain from their first date.
She remembered him saying that day that he had watched the blue rain all night from the deck that year.
York held her hand, leading her past painting after painting. Beside these paintings were photos or objects left from those years.
He softly told her about those years.
Many years ago in other countries, and after returning home.
One painting in particular showed her in a wedding dress.
That was how she looked when she married William.
On and on, all the way to the most recent one.
The two stood there, quietly looking at it.
Those eyes filled with love.
Only at this moment did Amelia realize how many times he had been behind her, quietly watching her.
Watching her share mutual love with another man, their lasting affection.
Though he only told her about the circumstances of those paintings, nothing more.
But she felt it.
And it was deeply moving.
She had never imagined that through all these long days and nights, someone had held her so close to their heart.
A tear fell onto the back of his hand holding hers.
Since entering, he had been holding her hand the whole time.
Now, feeling her tears, he reached up to wipe them away.
"Don't cry." He comforted her softly. "Amelia, I brought you to see these not to make you cry."
"Amelia, don't be sad. I don't want to see you cry."
Amelia didn't know how to respond. Mixed emotions blocked her throat, leaving her unable to speak.
They stood in silence, the entire room quiet.
About half a minute passed.
York gently wiped away the tears on her face again.
He hesitated slightly, then reached out and gently drew her toward him, letting her forehead rest against his chest.
She didn't resist, which relieved him.
He gently patted her back, comforting her. "It's my fault."
"I brought you to see these to tell you that when I say I like you, it's not just words, and you..."
"You can trust me completely."
Amelia lifted her head to look at York before her.
His eyes were already rimmed with red, which only made him look more tender.
All these years, she only knew that York was a mysterious person who took control of the Jenkins Group after returning from the sea, managing it well with his family. In the years since returning home, there had never been a woman by his side.
Someone once told her that he had been betrayed at sea, nearly costing him his life.
She had thought the same, thinking perhaps his heart held someone he loved but couldn't have.
But she never imagined.
The one living in his heart was her.
Amelia didn't know how to bear this affection.
Since Jasper's death, she was no longer used to others' unconditional love and kindness. It seemed everything required tremendous effort to fight for, just to struggle through life.
William and Isabella's affair had dealt her an even harsher blow emotionally.
That day at the hospital, losing that child nearly killed her. If Mia hadn't arranged for someone to donate blood in advance, she might have really died.
Since then, she no longer dared to hope.
Dared not want more.
But now he... York...
"York." She called his name.
"What is it?" He responded softly.
She lowered her eyes slightly, words almost leaving her lips. "I..."
"Don't answer me now." York seemed to know what she wanted to say. Looking at her long lashes, he said, "I hope you'll think it over carefully."
"Not a decision made on impulse, not because you're moved, but after your emotions settle, a decision you won't regret."
She looked up at him under the lights.
He was always so considerate, able to be patient with her, understanding her.
Her heart beat faster.
In this moment, it seemed a bit chaotic.
Chaotic because of the person before her.
"Okay."
She smiled.
Though it was a bit of an ugly smile, with tear stains still on her face.
He smiled too, his eyes still slightly red.
"Silly." He said. "Didn't you want to play with the cat earlier? Should we go find it now? I noticed it really likes you—it's not usually that clingy with me."
"Sure." Amelia nodded, then composed herself, and they went out together.
Watching York turn off the lights and close the door, Amelia lowered her eyes slightly.
Whiskers had somehow jumped up and was now circling around Amelia's legs, constantly rubbing its head against her feet, tail held high.
"Whiskers." Amelia crouched down, reaching out to pet its head.
York also crouched beside her, producing some treats from somewhere for her to feed Whiskers.
After staying a while longer, Amelia changed back into her previous clothes, and then York prepared to take her home.
But just as their car reached the entrance of the Jenkins Villa, someone blocked their way.