Addiction to Temptation: His Mischievous Sweetheart Captivates Him-Chapter 212: Blessed to Marry You for Three Lifetimes
Zane Thorne didn’t know how to explain to Natalie Vaughn. From Altara to Brythania, and then back to their home country, finally rushing to this place.
At first, it was the longing for Natalie Vaughn. Upon returning to their home country and learning that she had come to Yenton to visit his parents, he was moved to the point of heartache.
"You’re here."
How could he wait to live like this?
Natalie Vaughn understood Zane Thorne’s meaning, wrapping her arms around his neck and snuggling closer into his embrace.
This time, Zane felt that Natalie’s strength was too much. The man finally laughed, holding her waist with one hand and grasping her hand with the other.
"You’re going to take my life..."
Zane absentmindedly squeezed Natalie’s hand as he spoke.
"Hiss—"
Zane had just squeezed the three fingers on Natalie’s hand that were swollen.
The man immediately let go. He sensed something was wrong the moment he touched them.
"What’s wrong with your hand?"
Zane’s voice tensed up as he put Natalie down, taking her wrist to examine it closely, but by then it was already completely dark outside. All he could see was that her fingers were swollen, but nothing more.
"It’s nothing, just a minor injury."
Zane frowned deeply.
"When is it ever not the case with you?"
Hearing the tone in Zane’s voice, Natalie quickly grabbed his hand and coughed lightly.
"Uncle and Auntie are still here."
Zane’s expression faltered, only then turning his head to look at the two elders standing by the gate.
"Let’s go in and treat the wound first."
Even facing Gideon Sheffield’s parents, Zane still put Natalie first. Yet as he said this, he didn’t take a step forward, simply nudging Natalie to go inside.
Natalie looked up at him, seeing the familiar acceptance and self-mockery in his eyes, and her eyes welled up.
"Come inside with me."
Natalie tugged on Zane’s hand, but no matter how she pulled, he wouldn’t budge.
Zane reached out and ruffled her head.
"Be good, go in by yourself."
But right now, Natalie didn’t want to be obedient; she was never a particularly compliant person.
"I don’t care, if you don’t go inside, I won’t treat my wound."
It was so cold outside, and it was raining. How could she leave Zane standing alone at the door?
There was a hint of helplessness in Zane’s eyes.
"Nina, be obedient."
"I’m not listening, you have to come inside with me!"
With that, Natalie clung tightly to Zane’s arm.
The two elders standing by the door finally spoke up.
Uncle Sheffield eyed Zane’s car.
"Weren’t you supposed to bring Jennings back?"
Zane’s eyes flickered slightly. Uncle Sheffield being able to say this meant he had heard something, and it was only Natalie who would bring them information. He didn’t know how his little girl had guessed he would bring Gideon Sheffield back, but...
"He’s already back in the country, currently undergoing examination at Astra City Hospital. Once the results are out in a few days, he will be back home."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Sheffield excitedly grasped Uncle Sheffield’s hand, her eyes brimming with tears, murmuring nonstop.
"Good, good, he’ll be back in a few days."
Saying this, seemingly somewhat at a loss, Aunt Sheffield wiped her tears with one hand and clutched her apron with the other. Five years of separation had added too much estrangement to what was once an intimate family.
Uncle Sheffield’s previously straight back seemed to suddenly relax a bit.
The news that Zane brought was undoubtedly a pleasant surprise for the two elders. Uncle Sheffield eyed the grip Natalie had on Zane’s hand.
His brow furrowed, and his voice was stern.
"If your hand is hurt, put on some medicine, what are you standing foolishly outside for?"
Natalie’s eyes flickered, glancing at Aunt Sheffield, seeing the joy in her eyes from the news that Gideon would be back, she understood.
Seemingly scared by Uncle Sheffield, Natalie shrank back slightly, hiding a bit behind Zane, yet still mustering the courage.
"I won’t go in unless Zane goes in first."
She revealed an adorable and willful side.
The sky was dark, and her face was smudged with dirt, looking quite comical.
Aunt Sheffield pinched Uncle Sheffield, stepped forward, and held Natalie’s hand.
"Then let’s all go in together."
While saying this, Aunt Sheffield looked at Zane.
Zane lowered his gaze slightly, seeing the hidden joy and a touch of heartache in the elder’s eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbed a bit.
He didn’t respond to those words, but respectfully called out.
"Auntie."
Aunt Sheffield’s eyes instantly moistened, her voice trembling.
"Okay, good child, it’s so cold outside, quickly go in and warm up."
With that, she glared at Uncle Sheffield.
"Don’t mind that grumpy old man."
Saying this, she tried to pull the two of them inside, but Zane didn’t move, and how could an elder hope to pull him?
Uncle Sheffield stood at the threshold, watching the three of them, snorted coldly, and with his hands behind his back, he was the first to go inside.
Zane’s eyes flickered briefly, understanding that this was an indication of approval.
His voice was hoarse.
"Auntie, you go in first, the two of us will follow shortly."
Aunt Sheffield looked at Zane and Natalie for a moment. She too was once young, knowing that a young couple probably had things to say to one another, so she let go of her hand.
"You two better hurry, it’s too cold out here."
Zane nodded.
Once Aunt Sheffield went inside, Zane immediately pulled Natalie into his arms, pinching her chin with one hand and kissing her fiercely.
Zane kissed with urgency and intensity, unsure of how to deal with the complex emotions in his heart.
For the past five years, every time he came here, he was left standing outside the door. No matter how much Aunt Sheffield felt sorry for him, how soft her heart became, she never looked at him the way she used to, not to mention calling him a good child. As for Uncle Sheffield, he never relented and let him in.
Even when they needed to exchange things, it was others who went inside while he could only stand outside.
But today, Natalie had arrived here before him. He didn’t know exactly what Natalie had done, but Aunt Sheffield felt sorry for him and Uncle Sheffield relented.
All this was thanks to his little girl.
Thinking of this, Zane held her tighter and kissed her deeper.
A month and more of longing, the four-plus hours rushed journey full of heartache, allowed Zane to invade her territory recklessly, treasuring and cherishing.
He couldn’t help but lightly bite Natalie’s lips, his strength restrained, making her let out a soft hum but without breaking the skin or drawing blood.
Natalie also missed him terribly, tightly holding onto the man’s waist, lifting her head to try and match his rhythm.
It had been too long since they last met, too long since they last embraced, too long since their last kiss. They were like stranded fish, only able to save each other.
To rely on each other for survival.
Gradually, Natalie started to feel out of breath. She lightly bit the man’s lower lip, signaling to stop.
Zane finally let her go, but couldn’t stop himself from leaving light kisses across her face. On her forehead, between her brows, on the arch of her brow, above her eyelids, on her nose bridge, on her nose tip, on her cheeks, on her chin, until finally returning to land on her lips.
Gently, a particularly solemn kiss landed.
"Nina."
"Hmm?"
Zane wanted to express gratitude, but such words didn’t seem necessary between them. He sighed softly, pulling Natalie thoroughly into his embrace.
"Marrying you is my greatest fortune in life."
