"Willa, why the heck did you pinch me?" Maddox looked as innocent as a puppy caught chewing on a shoe.

Willa's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red as she glared at him. Her attempt at looking formidable, however, was undermined by an unmistakable hint of bashfulness. "Did you already forget the pep talk I gave you?" Maddox swallowed hard, nodding slightly.

That was all Willa needed to see to know they were in trouble.

Her own choice in a partner, what more could she do?

The two stood under the spotlight, basking in the warmth of everyone's well-wishes.

As the ceremony was drawing to its highlight, Jasper handed Willa a list, "Willa, this is what I gave your sister, Sasha, when she got engaged. I've prepared something similar for you. Let me know if there's anything missing." Being a father and a father-in-law, how could Jasper bear to short-change Willa?

Tears welled up in Willa's eyes as she took the list. Shaking her head, she managed, "Dad, I don't care about those things. I just want to stay by your side, always."

Jasper nodded, visibly moved, gripping Willa's hand, "You're my daughter. I'll treat you no differently. You won't miss out on anything."

Willa pressed her lips together, nodding in agreement.

Maddox, standing beside her, was so touched he was nearly in tears.

Jasper looked at him with mock disdain, "It's not your list, son. What are you crying for?"

Maddox took a deep breath, "Dad, I regret not being born your daughter. I haven't even seen half of these things."

Jasper was momentarily speechless. If it weren't for the solemnity of the occasion, he might have questioned Maddox's common sense.

to lighten the mood, "Dad, I was just trying to

but roll his

even better from now on, "Maddox, from

believe me, I

remark sent the room into an uproar of

making promises isn't the same as stabbing

the bone,

didn't say a word, but their amusement was

Maddox's ventures were small fry compared to Willa's management of

ever be upset, they wouldn't wait for Jasper to act; they'd resolve it

eyes, Willa could

Not

the warning look from his eldest brother, Maddox turned, seeking assurance,

a sidelong glance, "Useless. I was managing the entire Perez empire at your age. Only because Willa doesn't

"Honey, I'll work hard to earn more.

about wealth; she knew Maddox's heart wasn't in business. Touching his face, she assured him, "Sweetie,

at the helm of the Perez's vast

faltered, seeing

perception of Maddox so different from Willa's? To her, Maddox's quirks were

the ceremony, the spotlight was

it onto Willa's finger. Looking up, he kissed her passionately, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

help but indulge in a little

last time

hinting for him to intervene. Anything to avoid

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