Chapter 1167:


    Chris’ heart already belonged to Maia, and he couldn’t imagine agreeing.


    “Zoey, that has to be a joke. I won’t ept it.”


    “Listen here, you stubborn boy! Maia is a fine young woman. How can you turn her down without even giving her a chance? Your father asked me before he passed to make sure you married someone worthy…”


    “Hold on. What name did you just say?”


    “Maia Watson. She once went by Maia Morgan, raised as the Morgan family’s daughter until they learned she wasn’t rted by blood. After that, she took back her original surname. But those details don’t matter now. I’m asking you to think it over. At least meet her once. I’m confident you’ll—”


    “I’ll do it!” Chris interrupted, his pulse quickening as the words burst out.


    “You will? Are you serious, or are you only saying that to please…”


    Memories shed again.


    On the very day Maia stepped out of prison, Chris took her as his wife.


    “I’ll keep my end of the bargain, Mr. Cooper. Once Zoey’s request is fulfilled, I won’t stick around. I’ll file for divorce right after,” Maia said tly, her gaze steady on him. “There’s something I need to handle, Mr. Cooper. I’ll be fine on my own.”


    When Maia’s silhouette vanished from view, Chris lowered his eyes to the marriage certificate in his hand, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.


    Divorce? Impossible. He had endured years for this single moment, and there was no way he would ever let it slip away.


    The visions faded, and the present returned to him.


    Within the span of mere seconds, Chris had relived an entire chapter of his past.


    With great care, he lifted Maia and carried her into the bedroom, setting her gently on the bed. An unbidden smile touched his lips — atst, the day he had waited for had arrived.


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    Lifting her head suddenly, Maia fixed her eyes on him with quiet curiosity.


    “Chris, what was on your mind just now?”


    Even though it hadsted only a moment, she had caught the shift in his expression. Something must have stirred within him to bring that look to his face.


    “I was remembering something that made me happy.”


    Chris shook himself free of the trance and offered a regretful nce. “Forgive me, Maia. I shouldn’t have let myself drift away.”


    Although the memories had pulled him in without warning, Chris found it awkward to have drifted off in such an intimate moment.


    “No need to worry. Everyone feels uneasy sometimes.”


    Maia’s face turned rosy as she shifted slightly, her long hair spilling over her shoulder.


    A faint movement ran through Chris’ throat while his gaze lingered on her, shimmering with emotions too many to name. Heat spread through him as his hands carefully worked to remove Maia’s clothing.


    However, just then, Maia’s mind leapt back to Lenny’s reminder and Carsen’s warning. Chris’ words from earlier echoed in her head — would he truly lose focus now at all times? Could he honestly be thinking of happy things in a moment like this? The exnation felt less like honesty and more like a convenient excuse.


    Without realizing it, Maia took his words the wrong way and grew even more convinced that she was right.


    In her mind, the only answer was that Chris had be so overwhelmed his blood pressure spiked, forcing the bullet fragments in his head to press against his nerves. He must have been suffering in silence, putting on a brave front so she wouldn’t notice.


    All at once, Maia shoved him back.


    “Wait — stop for a moment.”


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    Message from Noah: I hope you enjoyed the chapters. I’ve also renewed the invitation to the WhatsAppmunity, so you, dear readers, can join whenever you like. God loves you, and I wish you all the best. ( ?? ? ?? )?


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