Chapter 1523:
Corrine, drifting in the haze of his affections, surfaced abruptly at his statement.
She bolted upright, searching his face. “What happens Tuesday?”
Nate wound a silken strand of her hair around his finger, studying it with feigned nonchalance. “My grandmother intends to visit the Ford residence on Tuesday to discuss our engagement.”
Corrine’s heart skipped a beat.
Though Nate had mentioned the possibility during the bidding event, no specific date had materialized until now.
The sudden imminence of this pivotal moment sent her pulse racing beyond her control.
Noticing her stunned expression, Nate traced the curve of her cheek with gentle fingertips. “After the engagement is settled, shall we proceed directly to obtain our marriage certificate?”
“An engagement is merely a promise, while a certificate binds that promise in law,” Corrine replied, delicately brushing his hand aside. She repositioned herself on the sofa with newfound elegance, all traces of her earlier languor vanishing into perfect posture. “Besides, we haven’t even celebrated with a proper wedding. Why such haste for legal documentation?”
Nate’s eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint flashing in their depths. “What’s stopping us from getting the certificate right after the engagement? Or perhaps you’re harboring doubts about marrying me altogether?”
Corrine turned her head toward Nate, lips pressed into a thin line. “Let’s take it one step at a time.”
She didn’t reject the engagement outright—but the marriage certificate? That was a different conversation.
They needed to find the right moment, a calm space where things could be said without pressure.
If Carl found out, he probably wouldn’t approve of her decision to rush into marriage.
𝓒𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝓬𝓸𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝗵𝓮𝗿𝗲: gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⩶𝗰𝗈𝗺
Her phone buzzed, breaking the tension.
Karina.
Corrine picked up. “Hello?”
Karina’s voice rushed through the speaker, taut and urgent. “Corrine, are you free right now?”
Corrine shot Nate a glance before rising to her feet. She slipped out to the balcony, her voice lowering. “What’s wrong?”
After they’d parted ways at the hospital entrance that day, she’d tried calling to check on Karina’s injury, but the calls never connected.
Now, hearing the strain in her voice, Corrine felt something twist deep inside her, a tension tightening around her ribs.
Karina rushed to explain, “Nothing serious. The client’s schedule changed—we have to leave now. Can you come with me?”
Relief washed over Corrine like a wave, and she let out a soft exhale. “I’ll pack right away. Let’s meet at the airport.”
“Perfect.”
As soon as the call ended, she turned back, about to explain, but Nate beat her to it. “Going somewhere?”
.
.
.