"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.

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

help but roll

sense, Jasper sighed. He knew he had to treat Willa even better from

earnest, turned to Willa, "Dad, believe me,

the room into an

jester, teased, "Maddox, making promises isn't the same

to the bone, but

didn't say a word, but their amusement was

affair, and Maddox's ventures were small fry compared to Willa's management of the family's

wouldn't wait for Jasper to act; they'd resolve it themselves,

Willa

Not so

brother, Maddox turned, seeking assurance, "Dad, you wouldn't

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

comfort, "Honey, I'll work hard to

heart wasn't in business. Touching

helm of the Perez's vast network, supporting Maddox wouldn't be

faltered, seeing

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

ceremony, the spotlight

with a ring prepared for this moment, slid it onto Willa's finger. Looking up, he

but indulge in a

last time she drank too

him to intervene. Anything to avoid a repeat of the

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