Chapter 1146

By the empty riverbank stood Ryan in a black suit, quiet as he stared at the body of water before him.

The man exuded an aura of elegance.

Madeline had Jeremy wait in the car as she approached Ryan from behind with the cake in hand.

“I’m here, Rye. How’s your leg doing?”

Ryan slowly turned around.

The setting sun shone behind the man. There was a cold and dangerous look between his defined brows that Madeline had never seen before. Still, he gave her a warm smile.

“Happy birthday.” Madeline handed the cake over. “I couldn’t think of what expensive gift you would need from me, so I made you a cake instead.”

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it later.” Ryan took the cake and stared at it. “Could you open it and light a candle for me? I’d like to make a wish.”

“Of course.” Madeline opened the box and pulled out a slender candle, poking it into the cake.

She had not brought anything to light the candle, but Ryan pulled out a lighter from his pocket and lit it himself.

The glow of the setting sun faded, and the flickering candle flame danced in the breeze.

Not too far away sat Jeremy in the car, watching the scene before him. The man’s sharp eyes bore into Ryan as frost seemed to seep from their bottomless pits.

Knowing that Jeremy was waiting for her in the car, Madeline did not want to make the man wait too long either. She was going to return the moment Ryan made his wish, blew the candle, and signed the papers.

This would mark the end of her relationship with Ryan.

Staring at Madeline who seemed to be deep in thought, Ryan’s lips curled into a meaningful smile.

“Do you know what I wished for, Eveline?” Ryan asked.

Madeline had no idea, nor was she interested in knowing. She merely smiled and replied, “Whatever it is, I hope it comes true.”

Ryan nodded as his smile deepened. “Thank you. I’m sure it will.”

He turned around and picked up the divorce papers from the bench before walking back to stand in front of Madeline.

“These are the divorce papers you gave me before.”

“Did you sign them yet?” Madeline asked, feeling more joyful with every passing second.

She would finally be able to be with Jeremy without hiding.

Madeline thought to herself as a smile graced her lips.

In the next moment, however, she saw Ryan shaking his head. “I didn’t.”

Madeline’s smile dropped slightly. “Is there a condition you’d like to change, Rye?”

“No.” Ryan shook his head and stared heavily at Madeline. “I made a wish just now that I’d be able to be with the woman I love forever and we would never need to part.”

“…”

At Ryan’s words, Madeline felt that something was wrong.

She did not have the opportunity to speak when she saw Ryan taking the lighter and lighting the corner of the divorce papers on fire right in front of her.

Watching the flames eating the papers, Madeline stared at the man in disbelief.

“Ryan?”

“I don’t want to change the status between us,” he replied.

Madeline frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t want to get a divorce, Eveline.”

“…”

“You’re still Mrs. Jones. This is a fact that will not change,” Ryan emphasized.

Ryan taking his words back shocked Madeline. “Why? Why are you suddenly going back on your words?”

“You’ll understand someday, but that someday isn’t today,” Ryan replied mysteriously to Madeline’s frustration.

She placed the cake on the bench and gave Ryan a confused and disappointed look before turning around.

Ryan turned to look at the car parked not too far away and suddenly pulled Madeline by her wrist into his embrace.

This seemingly elegant gentleman now had his arms domineeringly around Madeline. He leaned down and accurately pressed his lips against Madeline’s.