Silly Bride

Chapter 257

to. So I sprinted all the way to where your voice was coming from and saw you. When I came to, I realized the key was still in my hand and that I still haven’t set you free yet. I knew then that was what I came back to do. Once you’re free, it’ll be time for me to return.”“No, that’s not how it goes.” Winnie fixed her eyes on Christopher. “You don’t just die after you complete a specific task. There are still so many things waiting for you to do in real life.”His head shook lethargically. “There’s nothing left for me to do. My body’s condition won’t allow it. I don’t have any time or opportunity left. Can I say something to you, Winnie?”Staring at her, he saw the glimmers of light reflected in her teary eyes. Her look was tender and mournful. Winnie choked up somberly. “Can’t you wait until you get better before you say it to me? What if I say I don’t want to listen to it now?”“Then you’ll never have a chance to hear it in this life. Even if there is a next life, we may not have the chance to meet again. Are you that cruel to deny me a chance to speak?” As though Christopher was a wounded puppy, he peered at her with a pitiful and pleading look.In the end, she relented.Of course, she knew there was a chance he might not make it, even if she sent him to the hospital right away.Winnie squeezed out a grin. “Go ahead. I’ll listen.”“Okay.” Christopher’s smile turned joyous. The look in his eyes softened as he stared at their clasped hands. “I’ve always liked you in secret. When you rejected me after I proposed to you the first time, I thought I could wait until you and Xavier broke up before trying again. However, I know you’re the type of woman who won’t change her mind that easily once you fall for someone. Then I thought, maybe it’ll be my turn if, by chance, you no longer feel the same way about Xavier. As I waited, I realized the love between you and Xavier was tough enough to brave any hardships. Originally, my love life was never the only thing I cared about. I could go on a mission and not think about you. Nonetheless, I didn’t expect the heavens would arrange for us to meet here. It’s as if you fell from the sky, like a ray of light that cuts through the darkness. You never fail to stun me every time you show up. We’ve experienced so much together for the past few days, and I could not stop being deeply attracted to you. Originally, I didn’t plan to tell you any of these because I was afraid you would blame yourself and feel sad every time you thought about me after I died. That’s not the outcome I want, but I’m one foot in the grave right now. I’ve yet to hold a maiden’s hand, have a romantic relationship, and really fall in love with someone. Yet, all I want is for you to know how much I like you.”As he spoke, Winnie listened wordlessly.She didn’t know what to say because she already had Xavier.Staring at Christopher, she wondered what words she should use.He couldn’t help but feel disappointed when he saw her like that. Nevertheless, he understood that no one could force her to like or dislike someone.She could cry an endless river for him, abandon her dignity for him, and even lose an arm for him, but those had nothing to do with romantic feelings.Closing his eyes, Christopher painfully calmed his surging emotions down.In the end, he chose not to trouble her and betrayed his heart. “No need to feel pressured. While I am about to die, I’m not going to guilt-trip you. You don’t need to respond to my feelings. Although, I do have a small request.”“Tell me.”“Can I rest in your arms? I’m feeling a bit cold, as though I’m in an icy cellar.”“Of course.” Without delay, Winnie wrapped her arms around him. “Are you feeling better? I could’ve hugged you even tighter if my right arm wasn’t broken.”“Mm-hmm,” Christopher replied softly. “Your body feels really warm. I… I can’t take it anymore. I’m too tired, and I want to sleep so badly.”Her tears fell onto his forehead as she uttered the words she didn’t know how she came up with. “Sleep, then. I’ll keep on hugging you. I’ll bring you home.”“Okay.” His voice became even weaker. Slowly, he closed his eyes as a tear streamed down his cheek. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to break my promise. I really want you to respond to my feelings. Just consider this as my attempt to use death to threaten you. Tell me, if I had known you before you met Xavier, would you have fallen in love with me? I’m not asking you if you would betray him. I’m just asking if you would love me if he weren’t around. Would you have tried?”Winnie’s face was covered in tears by that point because she could feel his life slipping away bit by bit. Staring at him, she saw a look of despair and anticipation in his eyes.She nodded. “I would! I would’ve tried to love you if Xavier weren’t around.”“Really?” The light in Christopher’s eyes glowed a little. “In that case, how about we promise to do that in our next life?”Winnie nodded fervently. “Sure. As you wish.”“All right, as I wish then. Even if I know you’re lying to me, how do you think we shall meet in our next lives?” He felt like it was too late already in his current life. Perhaps he only had a few seconds left before he kicked the bucket.That was why he wanted to hold on to what little time he had left in his current life. Grabbing her hand tightly, he asked, “Is it okay if you’re still known as Winnie in our next lives? I’ll still go by the name of Christopher. I’ll come and find you… No, I don’t think you should keep the name. What if Xavier comes to find you, too?”“In that case, tell me what kind of name you like.”“I…” Slowly, Christopher lifted his hand and touched Winnie’s face. As the light in his eyes dimmed, he stared at Winnie with an expression of satisfaction. “Well… But I still like Winnie the most.”“Then I won’t change it. I’ll still be Winnie, and you’ll still be—” Before she could finish her sentence, his hand slipped down from her face.She wanted to sob as loudly as she could, but no sound left her throat.If she had the strength to lift Christopher up, she would, but she didn’t.Her sight was blurred by her tears. Out of nowhere, a group of people barged into her blurry world.It stunned Winnie for a while before she returned to her senses.She immediately wiped her tears away and realized the person who barged in was Leandro Zeller.He was one of the most famous drug lords in the area alongside Harold.While he didn’t know who Winnie was, she knew him.She had no idea why Leandro had suddenly arrived, but she knew she had something he wanted, a bargaining chip she could use to negotiate.“Leandro! I’m Big Black Bear! I bet you’ve heard of my codename before, and I bet you know about Harold’s factory being blown to pieces last night! The culprit behind that explosion was me! I have a new formula. Do you want it? If you send my people to the hospital right now, I’ll give you the new formula. Don’t ask me any questions! To put it simply,