Chapter 314

When he told her he was illegitimate, she smiled brightly. "So what if you're illegitimate? You are who you are. There's only one you in this world. What a person achieves isn't based on their birth."

"Don't you think it's disgraceful that I was born out of wedlock?"

She said earnestly, "I think your parents were irresponsible. Having children, they should have married. If marriage wasn't possible, they should have remained celibate or practiced birth control. Isn't there a saying that pursuing a relationship without considering marriage is sexual harassment?"

For the first time, someone had said that about his parents to his face.

Did she understand that sometimes people enter relationships without considering marriage because of other factors? Marriage was often viewed merely as a means to one's advantage.

"You enter a relationship for marriage?" he asked.

"Of course," she replied. "If I marry in the future, it will be with a man I deeply love, and who loves me deeply."

She described her ideal of love and marriage. He listened, unexpectedly feeling a yearning he hadn't known he possessed. He almost wished he could have such a relationship.

He had always assumed he was indifferent to marriage. If he married, it would be to a woman who could benefit him; otherwise, he wouldn't marry.

However, her words stirred his heart.

If she were the one he married he would do it willingly, and he looked forward to growing old with her.

"Do you like me?" he asked in a low voice.

"Yes," she said, nodding.

"Then date me and fall in love with me. Once you're in love with me, I'll consider it repayment for everything you owe me," he muttered.

Confusion clouded her eyes. Her intoxication further clouded her thoughts. "Be your girlfriend? Fall in love with you?"

"Yes," he said, releasing his grip on her jaw. He hesitated before removing his hands from her face. She seemed reluctant to let go of the warmth.

Lina Sweeney stared at him. Suddenly, she smiled brightly and exclaimed, "All right!"

It was like a hammer blow to his heart, making it tremble. Did she understand the true meaning of "All right"?

As he watched, her eyelids drooped. The hands resting on his face slowly slid down to his neck. "I'm getting sleepy. I haven't uh, slept much last night. I'll take a nap now Wake me up for dinner."

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Even now, she remembered to eat?

After a while, Lina Sweeney fell asleep.

Hadwin Stephenson pursed his lips and gently lifted her. He carried her to his bedroom and carefully laid her on the bed.