Chapter 343
It was the first time Marina ever heard Daron actually talk about his own feelings.
Before this, she always had to read his mood from his face.
Now that he admitted he was frustrated, she honestly didn’t know what to say back.
For a moment, she was just stunned.
he lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze, afraid the intensity in them might be too much for her.
Marina pretended to be calm, fiddling with the food on her plate.
The next moment, Daron’s deep, magnetic voice echoed in her ears.
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I know you’re not comfortable around my aunt or Zara. I respect that, and I’ll try to keep my distance from them,” he said.
Unless it’s necessary, I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t have to run into them,” he added.
At that, Marina finally looked up at Daron. She parted her lips, but in the end, she didn’t bring up the issue with Hayley.
Okay,” she said.
t was not that she didn’t want to be around Hayley and Zara.
t was obvious that Hayley and Zara were the ones who didn’t like her.
But since Daron said he’d respect her and keep her away from them, it didn’t really matter if they liked her or not.
Honestly, she didn’t want to have much to do with them anyway.
Their little tricks never really hurt her, but having to put up with their games all the time was just plain irritating.
Avoiding them was definitely the easiest way out.
After all, if things ever got messy, with all that Hayley had done for Daron, he’d be stuck in a tough spot.
Plus, Bette had mentioned before that Zara had once saved Daron’s life.
With a debt like that, it was only natural that Daron would take her side.
In the end, Marina’d be the one left out in the cold.
Marina understood how things worked, so she got why Daron couldn’t always be on her team.
Back when she agreed to marry him, her grandpa had already given her a heads–up.
In a marriage, she couldn’t run to Daron every time something trivial came up.
Fairness was a luxury in this world.
Hayley had basically raised Daron, so of course, he’d be biased toward her.
The bond between them was something she, as the new wife, could never erase.
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In a web of relationships this tangled, the only way to protect her own safety and peace of mind was to emotionally step back and keep her distance.
Now Marina finally understood why her grandpa had always stressed the importance of staying grounded after marrying into the Zamora family; never getting arrogant just because she was Daron’s wife, and never letting herself feel inferior because of his relatives‘ criticism.
Without that sense of balance, it would be all too easy to lose herself in such a complicated family.
After seeing how Daron treated Hayley and facing her a few times herself, Marina had learned to manage her emotions and keep a steady heart.
After dinner, Marina and Daron got into the car together.
Even though talking things out made things less awkward than before, there was still a thin, invisible wall between them, like a sheet of glass one couldn’t break through.
After they got in, the driver glanced at them through the rearview mirror and asked, “Mr. Zamora, Ms. Finley, are we heading straight to the office?”
“That’s fine,” Marina said.
“Home,” Daron said.
They both answered at the same time, but their answers were completely different.
Marina paused, glancing sideways at Daron, confusion flickering in her eyes.
“Home?” she asked.
“Did you leave some documents at home?” she wondered.
Daron reached over and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, speaking softly, “You worked hard all day yesterday, and I doubt you got a lot of rest today. Take the afternoon off and get some rest.”
But Marina replied without hesitation, turning down his offer.
“I’m fine, I got enough sleep last night.”
Her response was firm, and there wasn’t the slightest hint of fatigue on her face,
Daron watched her, so lively and energetic, and couldn’t help but feel a trace of jealousy in his heart.
‘So she really does get better sleep when I’m not there, Daron thought, a little sour. ‘Guess she prefers having the bed to
herself.
“Tomorrow, I want you to come with me to the Zamora family chapel. I will have your name entered into the family records and formally recognized,” Daron said.
Hearing this, Marina was stunned for a moment, glancing at him in disbelief, her eyes full of surprise.
“You’re really putting my name in the family records? As…your wife?” she asked, her voice uncertain.
Daron nodded. “Of course. What other title would you want?”
Marina looked up at him, pressing her lips together, suddenly at a loss for words.
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“But we haven’t even had the wedding yet, and we haven’t sent out any invitations… I mean…” she said, her voice trailing off.
The elders in the Zamora family never really approved of her marrying Daron, so they probably wouldn’t be on board with him putting her name in the family records.
Daron caught the concern in her eyes and gently took her hand in his.
“Don’t even start with ‘but,” he said, his voice soft but unyielding.
“We’re already married, so of course your name belongs in the Zamora family records.”
“And I want, years and years from now, when our descendants look at the family tree, for them to see our names written side by side,” Daron said.
Marina looked up at him, trying to see if there was anything else behind his gaze.
But she found nothing.
Daron was unwavering, and those deep, dark eyes could pull her in and never let go.
The whole idea of family records and family traditions never really meant much to the Finleys.
Perhaps it was because, by the time her generation arrived, the Finley family had only her and her elder sister left.
Honestly, even if Daron never mentioned putting her name in the Zamora family records, Marina wouldn’t have cared either way.
But now, hearing Daron say that, her heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t help but be moved.
After all, generations down the line, when the Zamora family’s descendants looked through the family tree and saw her name right next to Daron’s, they’d know for sure she was his wife.
“Guess I really should take it easy today. Tomorrow’s going to be a real battle,” Marina said.
So, the driver drove them home and pulled up in front of the villa.
Daron got out and reached his hand out to Marina.
Marina placed her hand in his, letting him help her out of the car.
Once she was steady on her feet, she slipped her hand out of his.
Daron felt her hand slip away, and for a moment, he swallowed his unease before saying, “Get some rest. If you need anything, just call me.”
Marina nodded. “Alright, you can head back to the office now.”
She remembered Daron had a busy day ahead.
Once he got back to the office, he’d have to jump right into a video meeting.
As Marina spoke, she tugged on the car door, smiled at him, and made a gesture for him to go ahead.
“Mr. Zamora, your chariot awaits,” she teased.
Daron caught the mischief in her eyes and the playful smile on her lips, and couldn’t help but smile back.
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Chapter 343
“Thanks, Mrs. Zamora,” he said, his tone light.
Marina raised an eyebrow and shot back, “You’re welcome.”
He caught her playful look, lips curling into a smile as he ducked into the car.
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“Go on, I won’t walk you out. Mr. Zamora, make sure you work hard and earn plenty for your wife to spend!” Marina joked.
Judging by her playful attitude, it looked like last night was already ancient history.
Daron nodded with a smile, “No problem at all. But Mrs. Zamora, I hope you’ll bring your pillow back to the master bedroom tonight.
“Otherwise, you’ll have to put up with sharing that narrow little bed in the side room with me,” he joked.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
