Remaining Days, Please Advise

Proposal

Elena didn’t sleep well all night after suddenly learning that she had another fiancé.

At night, Elena lay in bed, listening to the rustling leaves, tossing and turning, and in a daze, she had a dream.

In the dream, she was wearing a white dress, admiring the cherry blossoms under the cherry tree in the courtyard.

Cherry blossoms covered the ground, and a handsome young man in a white shirt slowly walked out...

“Miss, wake up, something big has happened!”

Before Elena could see the young man's face clearly, someone shook her awake.

When she opened her eyes, she saw the anxious face of a servant.

She rubbed her eyes and asked, "Auntie, what's wrong?"

"Miss, the Patrick family has come to propose to you!"

Elena suddenly woke up, dumbfounded, "What did you say? Which Patrick?"

"Which Patrick could it be? It's the Patrick your grandfather mentioned last night, the eldest son of the Patrick family has come in person, and the gifts are filling the whole yard."

Apparently, the servant had overheard some of what the old man said last night.

Elena hurriedly got up and washed. As soon as she went downstairs, she saw Mr. Jones sitting in the main seat of the hall, with two middle-aged people dressed in dignified and noble attire on the left.

Chris sat on the right side, wearing a black custom-made suit, calm and noble, with a powerful presence that was very eye-catching.

When Mr. Jones saw Elena, there was a bit of restrained pride in his eyes, "Elena, come over and meet these people. This is Mr. Patrick and Mrs. Koller."

Chris's parents had divorced early, and Elena vaguely remembered that Chris's mother's maiden name was Koller.

She obediently stepped forward to greet them, "Mr. Patrick, Mrs. Koller."

Grace looked at Elena carefully, then smiled and took Elena's hand, "Elena is really beautiful, making my boy look a bit plain."

Mr. Jones also smiled kindly, "If Chris isn't outstanding, then there are no outstanding young men in New York."

"Mr. Jones, you flatter him." Grace patted Elena's hand and said cheerfully, "We'll talk for a while, you young people go out for a walk, no need to stay here and get bored with us."

Before Elena could speak, Mr. Jones waved his hand with a smile, "Go ahead."

Elena had no choice but to leave.

She walked in front, while Chris followed at a leisurely pace.

They maintained an appropriate distance, yet Chris's presence was always strong, which might be what people call a commanding aura.

Unknowingly, they walked to the cherry blossom tree, the blossoms filling the branches overhead, the pink and white hues reflecting the sky.

Elena turned around, her clear eyes meeting Chris's gaze.

Just as she was about to speak, her phone rang.

Chris asked calmly, "Do you need me to step away?"

Elena glanced at the caller ID, which was an unfamiliar number, but she knew it must be Brian.

She said quietly, "No need."

When she answered, Brian's voice came through, "Elena, I allow you to say some irrational things out of jealousy last night, but this matter ends here. I can forgive your actions."

"Forgive?" Elena took a deep breath, "What did I do wrong that needs your forgiveness?"

"Isn't it excessive for you to doubt my relationship with Zara and follow and investigate me?"

"I said I didn't follow or investigate you!"

Elena suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of futility in trying to reason with Brian.

Brian continued in a condescending tone, "Now that your parents are at my house, come back and explain things clearly with me. Our marriage will go on, and I can forgive and forget."

Elena was silent for a long time, "You want your parents and mine to force me to marry you? What kind of marriage is that?"

"What do you mean force?" Brian's tone was very calm, "Our families are forming an alliance, shouldn't we listen to our parents' opinions on breaking off the engagement?"

Just from Brian's words, Elena could already imagine what she might face at the Nelson house.

It would definitely be her parents persuading her, Brian's parents also persuading her, everyone kindly advising her for her "good"... In the end, it would just be treated as her making a fuss over nothing.

Elena uncharacteristically stood her ground, "No. Marriage and breaking off the engagement are matters between you and me. I am notifying you of the breakup unilaterally, not asking for your opinion."

Brian's voice grew colder, half-threatening, "Elena, are you sure you want to break off the engagement?"

Obviously, Brian had never taken Elena's words to heart.

Elena felt both powerless and certain, "This engagement must end."

Brian said in a low voice, "Do you know what the consequences are of breaking off the engagement? You're not young anymore. Why are you still so immature? Elena, your reckless behavior will ruin the Jones family!"

"Brian, are you threatening me? For the sake of our families' long-standing friendship, I've tried hard not to say anything harsh. I'm freeing you, so give yourself some dignity."

Elena suppressed her anger and hung up the phone.

Every additional word with Brian made her feel like her chance of developing breast cancer increased significantly.

Elena turned around and smiled helplessly, "Mr. Patrick, as you just heard, my situation is quite messy."

Chris's face remained calm, after a moment of silence, he asked, "Has Miss Jones broken off her engagement?"

Elena didn't hesitate, "Of course, I have."

Chris: "Then my proposal to you isn't immoral."

Elena was speechless, surprised that even after hearing about her messy situation with Brian, Chris hadn't abandoned the idea of marrying her.

Curiosity suddenly sparked in her heart, "Mr. Patrick, I'm not irreplaceably excellent, why insist on marrying me?"

Chris's eyes were calm, his attitude very serious, "Miss Jones, I have been waiting to marry you for ten years."

It was undeniable that when Elena met Chris's deep blue eyes, her heart skipped a beat.

Elena calmed herself down, lowered her gaze, and said softly, "Sorry, I just learned about the engagement last night."

Chris remained indifferent, "I know, that's why I came to propose this morning."

"Don't you think... it's a bit sudden?"

"Sudden?" Chris raised an eyebrow, his voice deep and magnetic, "Not at all, I've been preparing for this day for a long time."

Ten years, could it not be a long time?

Suddenly, Elena felt a bit of psychological pressure.

Chris had waited ten years for her, while she, unaware, had almost married Brian.

Elena's lips moved, speaking softly, "Mr. Patrick, although I didn't know about it before, I have been with Brian for three years, which is considered a breach of contract. You don't have to abide by the agreement..."

Chris lowered his eyes, "Miss Jones, I always keep my promises."

Seeing Elena's confused and helpless face, Chris's eyes softened, "I know this is very sudden for you, but I hope Miss Jones will seriously consider this marriage."

"I have no first love, no lovers, no ambiguous relationships. To my wife, I will give full respect, understanding, and care."

Elena's eyes widened slightly, subconsciously hiding her gaze, "Mr. Patrick, I just ended an engagement, even though it wasn't fulfilled, I'm not ready to step into another relationship..."

His seriousness made her feel the need to be fully prepared.

Chris said softly, "If you marry me, Miss Jones can continue her work. I respect your career and hobbies. My parents divorced early and are now both successful in their own right, they won't interfere with our lives."

"Of course, I won't restrict or control you as a husband. If you feel the relationship isn't there yet, we can adapt to each other for a while first."

Every word he said struck Elena's heart precisely.

Elena suspected that her grandfather had given him the answers in advance.

She and Brian had been engaged for three years without marrying because the Nelson family wanted her to focus on being Brian's virtuous wife, not working or pursuing a career, becoming a proper wealthy wife.

Elena was indifferent to most things, except for her insistence on not giving up her company.

Elena blinked, asking quietly, "What do you mean by your last sentence?"

Chris smiled slightly, his sharp eyes revealing a bit of warmth, "I respect Mr's Patrick every wish."

Finally, Chris suddenly said, "Miss Jones has managed the company very well, it would be a pity to give it up."

These were Chris's words to Elena last night.

Last night, Elena hadn't felt much, but at this moment, it stirred great waves in her previously calm heart.

Chris's words hit a deeply hidden weak spot in Elena.

Elena looked at him intently, her breathing heavier.

Her eyes suddenly became much firmer, "Did you bring your identification documents?"

Now it was Chris's turn to be surprised, "They're at home."

Elena nodded seriously, continuing to speak astonishingly, "Then let's get them and go get the marriage license."

Elena, usually indecisive, made a rare firm decision.

Thinking of the big family waiting to interrogate her at the Nelson house, the aggressive Brian, and the pitifully acting Zara, Elena suddenly wanted to act impulsively for once.

Chris looked at her deeply, the emotion in his eyes was something Elena couldn't understand, "Okay."

Elena was about to enter the house to tell her elders about this.

Chris suddenly spoke, "Wait."

Elena turned her head in confusion, thinking that Chris had regretted it. "You..."

"Lower your head," Chris's deep, magnetic voice brushed past her ear. Elena felt a tingle and instinctively lowered her head.

Feeling a cool touch on her neck, Elena looked up in surprise to see Chris holding a pink cherry blossom petal between his slender fingers.

Realizing her misunderstanding, she blushed slightly. "Thank you."

Chris replied softly, "No need to be so polite between us."

His steady demeanor always managed to calm people with just a few words.

When they informed Mr. Jones and Chris's parents about their plans to get married, both sides were a bit surprised.

They didn't understand how the two had suddenly skipped the engagement and went straight to getting married.

Mr. Jones was overjoyed and immediately decided, "Go fetch Elena's identification," he instructed the servant.

The servant quickly acted.

Grace, reacting promptly, stepped forward and said, "Since you're getting the marriage license today, shouldn't we start planning the wedding as well?"

She took off a gold bracelet and put it on Elena's wrist, teasingly saying, "I wanted to give this to you earlier but was afraid you'd be too shy to accept it. Now you have no choice."

Elena's cheeks turned red, feeling a bit flustered.

Chris, standing by her side, said in a steady tone, "Take it. It's meant for my future wife unless you plan to change your mind?"

His low voice brushed past her ear, making Elena's earlobes warm. She lowered her eyes and accepted it obediently.

Mr. Patrick nodded slightly and rarely spoke, "Rest assured, Mr. Jones, Chris personally asked for this marriage. Your granddaughter won't be treated unfairly in any way."

While the three elders discussed the wedding arrangements, Chris took Elena straight to the New York Marriage Registry.

Chris's identification was delivered by their driver.

Just as they were about to get out of the car, Elena suddenly asked, "Mr. Patrick, have you really thought it through about marrying me?"

Chris chuckled softly, "Miss Jones, a decision once made cannot be undone."

Elena hesitated for a moment, then voiced her concern, "I was engaged to Brian for three years. Does that really not bother you?"

"It bothers me."

Elena's heart tightened as she looked up at him.

Chris's stern features were softened with warmth, "It bothers me that he had you for three years and didn't treat you well."

Elena's emerald eyes gazed at Chris, her chest filled with a mix of emotions, unsure of what to say.

The feeling of being cherished by someone other than her grandparents was something she hadn't experienced in a long time.

From entering to receiving the marriage license, it took less than thirty minutes. Elena unfolded the license, staring blankly at her name on it.

After a moment of silence, she finally spoke, "I can't believe I'm married."

Chris's thin lips curled into a light smile, "Mrs. Patrick, there's still one thing missing."

"One thing missing?" Elena didn't understand at first.