Chapter 268
Chapter 268
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Daron shot her a gentle look from under his lashes, then reached out and took her hand, leading her downstairs.
The driver was already waiting by the front door. As soon as he saw them, he hurried over to open the car door.
Daron stood by the car like a true gentleman, carefully protecting her head with his hand as he helped her inside.
His thoughtful care sent a shiver through Marina’s heart, and even after she settled into her seat, the butterflies just wouldn’t
go away.
When Daron got in, he sat right next to her, practically glued to her side.
Marina tried to scoot away, but Daron instantly moved right back in, pulling her close with an arm around her waist so she couldn’t slip any further.
The driver glanced at them in the rearview mirror and asked softly, “Mr. Zamora, are we heading straight to the City Clerk?”
Daron hummed in response.
The driver started the car and drove toward the City Clerk.
Just then, Zachary’s call came through. Daron glanced at the caller ID, picked up, and laughed, teasing him.
“Honestly, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were some ex–girlfriend I dumped, blowing up my phone all night. Don’t you ever get tired?” Daron joked.
Zachary didn’t miss a beat and shot back.
“You conned me out of my wedding gift money last night, but you never told me who the bride is! I handed over the cash without even knowing what it was for, and I couldn’t sleep a wink all night. Daron, you really did me dirty.”
Daron had put his phone on silent last night, so Zachary’s curiosity went completely unsatisfied. He ended up losing sleep
over it.
Daron let out a snort. “You’ll know who the bride is when you come celebrate with us.”
Zachary pressed on, “So, when’s the big day? When do I get to crash the party?”
Marina was so close to Daron that she could hear Zachary’s voice on the phone loud and clear.
When Zachary asked his question, Marina’s hands in her lap tightened, her fingers nervously tangled together. Her heart was
in her throat.
Daron glanced down at Marina, who sat quietly beside him, looking gentle and reserved. He said softly..
“We’re registering our marriage today, but we haven’t set a wedding date yet.”
Zachary clicked his tongue. “So you’re tying the knot first and throwing the party later? Worried she’ll run off if you wait?”
“Which girl is it, the Finley family’s second miss?”
Zachary pretty much guessed it last night. Over the years, Daron hardly ever had any women around him. If there were, ir was just for work.
Joyce had been glued to Daron for y
years, but it was obvious he wasn’t interested in her at all.
Every time Joyce tried to get Daron alone, she never managed to pull it off.
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10:36 Fri, Feb 13 B BD.
Chapter 268
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The last time Zachary saw Daron look out for someone like that, it was the Finley family’s second daughter, Marina.
Zachary figured those two would be dancing around each other for a while before finally tying the knot, but he never expected they’d be getting their marriage certificate today.
Daron didn’t answer Zachary’s question, but to Zachary, his silence was as good as a yes.
“You really move fast,” Zachary said.
Daron glanced down at Marina. Her expression didn’t change at all. She was totally unreadable. Even though she clearly heard everything he and Zachary were saying, she showed zero interest, didn’t try to join in, and didn’t ask a single question about his friends.
He smirked and replied coolly to Zachary.
“Had to act fast, with so many people chasing after her,” Daron said.
There was a definite note of pride in his voice.
Hearing his answer, Marina couldn’t help but look up at him, her eyes finally meeting his.
Daron’s hand slid up from her waist and gave her cheek a gentle affectionate squeeze.
Zachary burst out laughing on the other end. “Never thought I’d see the day!”
Daron sighed, half exasperated, half smug.
“You better hurry up and find someone to settle down with too. Ive got a wife now. You can’t keep blowing up my phone all night like you used to,” Daron said.
Zachary picked up on Daron’s bragging and grumbled a little under his breath.
Daron chuckled, his voice bright and cheerful. He was clearly in a great mood.
Hearing him laugh, Marina’s fingers, which had been tightly clenched just now, loosened up without her realizing, and she couldn’t help but smile a little herself.
Zachary, who’d been up all night, didn’t stick around to chat. He just laughed and said, “You guys owe me a drink next time! Then hung up.
Daron put his phone away, gave Marina a quick look, and his grip on her hand tightened just a bit. He glanced out the window before asking her softly, “Are you ready?”
Marina’s eyes clouded with confusion. She lifted her head to look at Daron, who was gazing out the window, his jaw clenched. She couldn’t help but ask. “What?“.
Daron turned his gaze back to her, his dark eyes so intense it felt like he could devour her whole-
“We’re almost at the marriage registry. Are you sure you’re ready for this?” he asked.
Marina pressed her lips together, locking eyes with him. She didn’t back down at all.
if I said I wasn’t ready, would you actually let me leave?” she asked.
Daron frowned. “No.
Marina gave awry smile. Then what’s the point of asking? You‘
not planing to let me go anyway, are you?
Daron just stared at her in silence. For the first time in a long while, Marina’s comeback leh bin completely speechless.
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10:36 Fri, Feb 13 BBD –
Chapter 268
He couldn’t even say why he’d asked in the first place.
But he just had to ask, even though he knew he probably wouldn’t like the answer.
Marina met his deep, searching gaze with an unflinching look. Or maybe you’re the one who’s not ready to register ou marriage with me?”
If
Before she could finish, Daron cut her off with a kiss.
He instantly regretted it. He’d just set himself up for trouble by asking that.
Ready or not, she was going to be his wife today.
“No ifs,” Daron said, his voice low and resolute. Just be ready.”
Marina whispered a soft “Okay”
The driver stopped the car right at the entrance of the City Clerk Daron stepped out, walked over to the passenger side, an stood waiting, his hand extended toward Marina.
Marina glanced at his broad palm in front of her, hesitated for a split second, then placed her hand in his.
In the next moment, Daron’s fingers closed firmly around hers, locking her hand securely in his.
They walked into the City Clerk together and finished all the paperwork, only to find out they had to get their own photo taken somewhere else and bring it back for the marriage certificate.
It was the first time either of them had ever set foot in the registry office, so they were both pretty clueless about how the whole process worked.
Daron, ever the perfectionist, immediately reached for his phone to call a professional photographer.
Marina spotted a photo studio across the street from the registry office and gave him a light tap on the shoulder.
“Hey, looks like there’s a place over there for official photos. Let’s just pop over and get it done,” she suggested.
As she spoke, Marina hooked her arm through Daron’s and headed out together.
Daron looked down at her hand on his arm, then fell into step beside her.
There were a ton of people getting their marriage certificates today. Even though they showed up pretty early, there were still folks who beat them to it
By the time they got to the photo studio, there was already a line
Marina stopped at the entrance, looking a little unsure. She glanded back at Daron, who was right behind her, and asked softly.
“Should we get in line?*
Daron had always gotten the VIP treatment–he’d probably never had to wait in line for anything in his life, and he definitely wasn’t about to start today.
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