Chapter 4 Crash, Cuddles, and Confessions
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Going back to the Flemings-yeah, no thanks. That so-called warm home? More like a trap full of manipulation.
It'd just be a repeat of her last life-getting played and dragged down with them.
This second shot at life was a literal miracle.
But could she actually tell him that?
Maybe... maybe another kiss would work? Curtis seemed to lose his cool with that.
No, wait. She had a better idea.
Taking a deep breath, Delia marched toward him.
Before Curtis could even react, she wrapped her arms around him tightly.
Her cheek rested gently against his broad shoulder.
"Babe..."
Her voice was soft and warm, the breath brushing against his ear. "I love you. Why would I ever want to leave you?"
Curtis stiffened instantly, and his ears turned red in real time.
Since they'd gotten married, she'd never said anything like that to him.
It had always been sarcasm, cold looks, nothing like this.
That out-of-the-blue confession totally threw him off. His heart raced, mind a mess.
His first instinct was to push her away-his arm halfway up-but then the strength just vanished.
He cleared his throat, trying-and failing-to keep it together. "Delia, don't... don't do this."
"I mean it!"
Sensing that he wasn't resisting as hard anymore, Delia lit up inside, jumping on the chance.
She lifted her head and gently held his face, making him look at her.
Her eyes were serious, sincere-nothing like before.
"Let's just live like a real couple from now on, okay? No more separation, no more mess. Just... us."
Curtis's eyes flickered wildly.
Everything she said, all these feelings, made him deeply unsettled.
He didn't say anything.
His silence made Delia panic a bit.
Just as she opened her mouth to keep going, fast footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Noah was back, face full of urgency. "Boss, we just got word-if we don't leave now, we're gonna miss it..."
He didn't finish, but the look in his eyes said the rest.
Today was the big meeting with Grandway Holdings.
Curtis immediately snapped back to reality.
This deal was huge. He couldn't afford to be late.
Any emotion on his face disappeared in a blink, replaced with his usual calm and detached look.
He gave a small nod. "Got it. Let's go."
He backed up a few feet, avoiding Delia's eyes completely.
Without another word, he maneuvered his wheelchair toward the exit.
Delia suddenly stood there in a daze, something clicking in her mind.
The day after their divorce in her past life... a terrifying incident had happened.
A madman had snuck into the meeting hall and gone straight for Curtis with a knife.
He got out with his life, but just barely-and the injuries left him in the hospital for ages, his health taking a nosedive.
No way was she letting that happen again.
This was her chance-to keep that fate from repeating.
"Wait." The words flew out of her mouth. "I'm going too."
Noah shot her a glare, his irritation written all over his face. "Miss Fleming, please don't cause more problems."
He was fed up with this woman clinging onto Curtis like a damn burr.
Was she planning to mess up the meeting?
Curtis also paused, turning to Delia. "Why?"
He was genuinely confused at how unpredictable she'd been acting all morning.
He wouldn't believe the truth if she told him outright.
She blinked at him and said, "Because I'm worried about you. And I'm not leaving until you promise me you're not divorcing me."
"I'm coming. Or I'm camping out right here all day."
Delia stood firm in front of him, her expression serious and a little bratty.
The way she pouted and demanded to go with him, though? Sounded completely ridiculous.
Curtis stared at her in silence. Maybe letting her come along wasn't a big deal after all.
It wasn't like he could stop her anyway-might as well go with the flow.
Plus, he had to admit, he was a little curious too.
"Alright," Curtis finally said, giving in.
A weight instantly lifted off Delia's chest. She beamed.
Raising her chin a bit, she shot a glance at the clearly unhappy Noah.
"You heard that, Mr. Hyde? Your boss said yes."
"Oh, and from now on, call me Mrs. Stockton. Stop with the 'Miss Fleming', it's getting old."
Noah choked on his breath, his face flushing from red to white.
Seeing that Curtis didn't object, he was completely speechless.
After holding it in for a bit, he forced out, "Alright... Mrs. Stockton."
Even though his tone was filled with reluctance, Delia was quite pleased with herself.
She slid her arm around Curtis's, leaning in sweetly. "Let's go then, hubby. Don't wanna be late!"
Curtis stiffened slightly but didn't move away, letting her cling to him.
Noah, pushing the wheelchair, followed silently behind as the three of them headed toward the waiting car.
*****
The backseat of the luxury car was spacious, but the air felt... awkward.
Delia immediately took the spot right next to Curtis.
Noah glanced at the scene through the rearview mirror, the corners of his lips twitching just a bit.
But he didn't say anything-just quietly buckled his seatbelt.
The car started smoothly.
As he drove, Noah gave a simple update: "Boss, the rest of them are almost there."
Curtis, eyes closed and resting, gave a quiet "Mm" to show he heard.
Sitting beside him, Delia could clearly smell the crisp scent on him.
She shifted a little closer.
Curtis must've noticed-his lashes fluttered-but he didn't open his eyes or move away.
Delia reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against his collar as she straightened his tie.
Her fingertips grazed the skin near his neck, and she caught the subtle movement of his Adam's apple.
"Your tie's a bit crooked," she said softly.
Curtis seemed to stiffen up even more.
"...Thanks," he murmured after a pause, giving a tiny nod.
Delia was thrilled. Feeling bolder, she moved her hand to his shoulder and started gently massaging it.
"You must be so tense from all that work. Let me help you relax a bit."
Noah, catching the scene in the mirror, nearly lost grip on the wheel.
What was going on with Miss Fleming today?
Not only was she not talking about divorce anymore-she was actually pampering Mr. Stockton?!
This was wilder than seeing pigs fly.
Delia saw his horrified face and only dialed up the drama.
She leaned close to Curtis's ear, her voice teasing and sultry.
"What do you think, babe? I've got magic hands. I could pamper you like this every day..."
"Ahem! Cough, cough-" Noah choked hard, startled by the bold words.
His hands jerked, and the car briefly wobbled on the road.
The moment the car swayed, Curtis's eyes snapped open.
Without even thinking, he reached out with one arm and pulled Delia straight into his chest.
"Keep your eyes on the road," Curtis said sharply.
Cold sweat broke out on Noah's forehead. "Y-Yes, Boss!"
He quickly pulled himself together, gripping the wheel tightly, and didn't dare look back again.
Wait... Mr. Stockton... actually pulled Delia into his arms?
Delia, curled up against Curtis, was utterly stunned.
Her cheek rested right against his firm chest, and she could clearly hear his steady, strong heartbeat.
The scent of him lingered near her nose, calming and familiar.
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