Chapter 271: Chapter 271



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Silence prevailed for a moment. “I accept,” Armand spoke directly without holding any element of surprise. Everyone seemed to expect his answer and no one showed any surprise. “Then, Miss Gordon, do you accept Mr. Bernie as your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”

They all turned their attention to Theresa. They were still unsure of her answer. Dolores also seemed nervous and inevitably clenched her fists. Matthew held her hands gently and did not look at the two people to be married in front of him. To him, no one was more attractive than she was. Armand also looked tense. He feared that she would suddenly change her mind.

Time seemed to stop flowing. The old woman also became nervous. She kept waving her hands over Theresa, urging her to give her consent. Armand turned his head with slight trepidation. At that moment, Theresa also turned her head. Their eyes met and Armand, who was apprehensive at first, was reassured by her gaze. He took her hands and his promise sounded genuine. “I will treat you well for the rest of my life.”

She let out a smile and her eyes smiled too. Her eyes seemed to glisten with tears. She said, “Yes, I accept.”

The master of ceremonies took his microphone again and said, “Marriage is the end of singleness, the process of romance and the beginning of happiness. On this exceptionally lovely day, may you who have tied your knots enjoy a wonderful love and live happily for the rest of your lives as you overcome difficulties together!”

The old woman clapped her hands in jubilation and endless ribbons slowly fell from the ceiling amidst the monotonous applause. It looked like a rainbow shower, colorful and romantic. “The groom may kiss the bride.” Armand removed Theresa’s veil and, without letting her mentally prepare herself, leaned down and kissed her.

Theresa’s eyes widened and she was unable to respond at length.

gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s﹒𝓬𝗈𝗺, the heart of fiction “Oh!” exclaimed Simona as she covered her eyes. She opened a gap between her fingers. Matthew looked at her and covered the gap between his fingers. Simona’s line of sight was blocked and she immediately glared at him. “You’re naughty, Daddy. I want to see Uncle Bernie and Aunt Theresa kissing.”

Matthew took her in his arms and said, “Don’t watch or listen to what is contrary to decorum, okay?” Simona didn’t understand and blinked. “What does that mean?”

“That means don’t look at anything you shouldn’t look at and don’t listen to anything you shouldn’t listen to,” Samuel spoke reluctantly. He shook his head at his sister’s innocence and ignorance. “Mom should have let you go to school, now you don’t know anything.”

She was right. Samuel and Simona were now five years old. Samuel was capable enough to get into school, but Simona was not going to school. Children their age had already finished one year of kindergarten in the country. Matthew planned to find kindergarten for both of them next year so they would experience the joy of going to school. He didn’t want them to amount to anything, he just thought the process was necessary for their age.

Dolores did think about letting them go to kindergarten. She was not worried about Samuel, as the knowledge taught there was a piece of cake for him. She had looked for a kindergarten for him in Country A, but he refused to go because he thought the program was too childish and superficial. Then she realized that he had a talent for mathematics and, after letting him sit for the CA exam, it turned out that he had passed.

He then became the youngest student in the AC school.

As for Simona, she was not so strict with her. As her daughter looked thinner when she was born, she wanted her daughter to have a carefree childhood and grow up happy. That was her greatest wish for her. In fact, she also advocated Western education, which was not to teach children anything before they went to elementary school, but to let them have fun, encouraging their curiosity to learn.

“Sam, let’s go to the bridal chamber and trick-or-treat for the bride.” Boyce approached. He had worn a suit today, too. He was used to wearing casual clothes in addition to his uniform, and he looked quite charming in the suit. Simona squealed when she heard there would be candy. “I want to go. Uncle Shawn, I want to go too.”

“Sure.” Boyce took her from Matthew’s arms and said, “I’ll take them upstairs.” Matthew reminded her, “Watch your words, don’t say anything inappropriate in front of the kids.”

“I’ll handle it,” Boyce said and took the children upstairs. It was Armand’s wedding night, as his friend, he was to help go make their wedding night more joyous. Matthew got up and said, “Let’s take a walk outside.” Dolores had not rested well these past two days and wanted to go back to sleep. “No, thank you.”

Matthew put a down on her and pulled her close to him. “Join me for a while.” Dolores looked at him and wondered why he had time for a walk.

“What are you trying to do?” Dolores didn’t think he simply wanted to take a walk. “You’ll find out later, just come with me.” Matthew took her by the hands. Since he had made up his mind, she couldn’t refuse, even if she wanted to, and she could only follow him.

The wind was a little strong outside. Matthew covered her with a big coat. It was a long way outside the hotel and there weren’t many cars along the road. The road was a bit desolate. If it wasn’t for the hotel being located there, the road might not be fixed. Dolores looked around and noticed that the surroundings were full of pine trees. The pines were still green during the winter.

She couldn’t stand it any longer and asked, “Why are you bringing me here?”.

Matthew didn’t speak on purpose. Dolores really wanted to know what he had pulled out of his sleeve when she was intrigued. She pretended to be angry and stopped. “I won’t go any further if you don’t tell me.”

Matthew leaned toward her and his lips came up to her face. “Are you sure you don’t want to go any further?” unsure if it was him getting too close to her, Dolores felt her body begin to heat up. She could feel the wind blowing near her ears. She said calmly, “I’m sure.” Matthew looked around. The pine forest was thick and would make a good hiding place.

“I’m going.” Dolores pushed him away, but before she walked away, she was embraced. Her face turned cadaverous as she had a trauma from being hugged like that. Matthew could sense her fear and spoke into the side of her ear, “It’s me.”

Dolores felt calmer as she heard the familiar voice. She felt a warm arm wrap around her waist like a soft, strong python, hugging her tightly. Their bodies were pressed against each other. They were in a kind of desolate place. Dolores pushed him away a little. “It’s cold in here…” What she really meant was to ask him to stop doing that.

“It won’t be cold when I hold you.” After he finished, he draped his big coat over her from above.

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