Twisted Ties of Love

After hearing his words, Izabella exhaled deeply, her eyes welling up with tears. She clutched the candy in her hand, silently watching Casey.

Startled, Casey gently brought her closer, "What's wrong? Why are your eyes red?"

"I thought you didn't want me anymore."

Casey chuckled, "After searching for you for so long, how could I not want you? It's just that now that the Dempsey Group is gone, I'm afraid I might not be able to protect you, and probably be a burden on you."

Izabella wasn't a brave woman. She was like a snail, preferring to harden her own shell rather than face the world. At the slightest hint of harm, she would retreat into her shell.

After experiencing death once, she had built many emotional walls, unwilling to believe in love or marriage again. But Casey was an exception. He was always there to protect her, to tolerate her. He had never thought of leaving her.

Now, because of him, her walls had crumbled and would never stand again. Deep within, she harbored many thoughts; many things had changed because of Casey.

She wouldn't lose anything related to "Casey". Trusting him was easier than trusting herself. She would never let the outcome that Brett desired come to pass.

"You've always been the one to protect me, so let me protect you from now on. I can give you a home too."

Casey's life had taken an unexpected turn, becoming the son of a bodyguard. His childhood was marked by a lack of parents. The Windham family was kind to him, but a servant was always a servant, expected to risk his life for Brett when necessary.

Growing up in an orphanage, being someone regarded as having intellectual disability, Casey had long yearned for a home. So, with his first paycheck, he had bought a house in R City.

The home he wanted wasn't just a house, but a house with Izabella in it. With Casey's abilities, he could provide for a family with ease. But without power, the road ahead would be challenging.

If Izabella faced danger again, he could only offer his life in exchange, unable to provide anything else.

Casey tried his best to hide his disappointment, but Izabella saw through him. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up, "You've been working for so many days without a break. Come out with me for a breath of fresh air."

"Okay," Overworking wouldn't solve anything; it could even make one sick.

Casey had previously mentioned getting in shape to act, but he had just become thinner.

Izabella took the car keys. She drove, and Casey didn't ask where they were going. He would follow her wherever she wanted to go.

Soft music played in the car. The November air was a bit chilly, but the car's heater created a warm breeze that made one sleepy.

Casey's eyes were bloodshot, looking like they were inflamed.

"Sleep for a while. I'll wake you up when we get there."

Casey obediently closed his eyes, answering with a belated "Hmm".Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Izabella watched him close his eyes. With one hand on the steering wheel, she opened the car's glove box with the other, revealing two small books. After nearly an hour, they reached their destination. Izabella carefully parked the car, and then woke Casey up.

She gently patted his face, "Casey, wake up. We're here."

Casey opened his eyes in a daze. His deep brown eyes were glassy, filled with confusion.

"Where are we?" Maintaining one position while sleeping had left his neck sore and stiff.

Izabella reached out to tidy his messy hair, pushing down a tuft that was sticking up in the middle.

"Come outside and see."

Casey unbuckled his seat belt, opened the car door, and before his feet even touched the ground, he saw the place's name.

- City Hall.

He froze, sitting on the edge of the

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seat, his feet hanging in mid-air, forgetting to put them down. He turned around, only to see Izabella holding two passports, smiling at Kim.

City Hall, passports, what else could it mean?

Casey felt a sudden tightness in his chest, followed by a wave of strange emotions. It felt as if hot water was scalding his heart, the tingling warmth spreading to every corner of his body. His palms were sweaty.

"It's a bit late, but City Hall is still open. We might be the last lucky couple to register today."

"Bella." Casey was overwhelmed by the emotions welling up inside him.

"Yes?"

"I haven't proposed to you yet," he wanted to give Izabella the fullest version of love, without missing a single step.

Love started with a confession, followed by dating, proposing, presenting a ring, getting engaged, and finally marriage. "That doesn't matter."

"I didn't bring a ring either."

"After we finish the paperwork, you can go home and bring it to me. We can have the wedding after we're not so busy, and the same goes for the wedding photos. Moreover..." Izabella paused, smiling brightly," only wanted you, not any of these material things. As for our parents, my parents have met you at the cemetery last time, and as for Mrs. Dempsey and the others, they are the ones who gave me the passport."