Chapter 281

--- Chapter 281 "The fact that you told me this shows how much you care about my feelings, and... of course, I'm touched," Gideon said. He gazed at Giselle even more resolutely. "But | want you to know that nothing you've been through could ever change how | feel. Just your coming back alive... that's the greatest comfort I'll ever need in this life." Hearing that, Giselle froze, momentarily speechless. In his eyes, her heartfelt confession was nothing more than a beautiful lie. Gideon loved her deeply . Every word, every action, and every beat of her heart left no doubt of his devotion.

Yet, deep down, he still couldn't believe she had remained untouched in that living hell... In his eyes, Giselle was only saying she hadn't been forced into prostitution because she cared about him and wanted to please him. And so, these so-called beautiful lies of hers moved him all the more. Yes, his emotions were genuine, but so was his disbelief. Though it stung, Giselle understood it all too well. Only a fool would believe that she hadn't been touched after being sold to that hell of a place.

Gideon didn't, and neither would her closest friend, Vivienne, who'd only reassured her out of kindness. ---- Oblivious to her inner turmoil, Gideon leaned in to kiss her, but she instinctively turned away. She pushed his hand aside, rose from the couch, and said nothing. He mistook it for post-traumatic fear of intimacy, and the thought pained him. "Don't worry," Gideon said, rising to his feet and murmuring by her ear, "I'll turn the world upside down to find every last one of those bastards who hurt you. If the police can't handle it, | have my ways." But Giselle shook her head.

"Forget it. | don't want you dragged back into this mess. You've built a good life, so don't stir up any more trouble. Let the police handle the rest. Having survived is all that matters to me now." Not wanting to upset her further, he reached out and gently stroked the back of her head. "Giselle, this accident happened because of me. Those people were just trying to get revenge on me. Your survival has given me a chance at redemption. "Let's get married tomorrow.

We'll have the grandest wedding to wash away all this bad luck, then truly start our new lives together." A few hours ago, another man had proposed to Giselle. Now, here was another. Her head throbbed, and she vaguely said, "I just got back. | haven't even had a proper bath or a full night's sleep. I've been gone so long that my shop is probably a complete mess, too. ---- "Marriage is a huge deal, and | just don't have the energy right now. After what happened, | can't expect myself to magically transform into some radiant bride overnight..." Gideon paused for a few seconds before nodding.

"Understood Then, we'll wait half a month. Once you're fully recovered, we'll talk about the wedding plan. But in the meantime, you should stay at my place, or Ill move in here. "After everything that's happened, | can't feel at ease with you living alone," he continued sincerely. "| need to be with you every day. We'll eat and live together. | won't make the same mistake twice."