"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

help but roll his

Jasper sighed. He knew he had to treat Willa even better from now on, "Maddox, from today onwards, Willa is in your care. If I see her shed a

me, I love Willa even more than I

sent the room into an uproar

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

Willa to the bone, but

and Fredrick didn't say a word,

and Maddox's ventures were

to act; they'd resolve it themselves, ensuring

eyes, Willa could

Not so

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

Only because Willa doesn't mind, you should try to step up." Maddox

Willa, seeking comfort, "Honey, I'll work hard to earn more. Trust

business. Touching his face, she assured

the helm of the Perez's vast network, supporting

Fredrick's smiles faltered, seeing something they

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

the ceremony, the spotlight

Looking up, he

but

the last time she

hinting for him to intervene. Anything to avoid

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