From Broken to Beloved-Chapter 96-“Have some decency.”

When she saw that the man standing outside the door really was Karl, Marylin was both shocked and overjoyed.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

Karl stepped inside and wrapped his arms around her without hesitation. Leaning close to her ear, his voice was impossibly gentle and indulgent.

"I missed you—so I came."

Those simple words echoed exactly how Marylin felt at that very moment. Touched that he had traveled so far just to see her, she leaned forward of her own accord and pressed her lips to his.

Karl reached back and closed the door, then held her tightly as their kiss deepened, fervent and unrestrained.

Of course, Karl had missed Marylin just as much. If it weren’t for the fact that he wanted to wait until he had the ring and the dress ready to propose properly, he would have come to see her long ago, just to ease the longing.

This was the woman he loved to the marrow of his bones. He couldn’t bear even a single day apart from her—let alone several. Now that they were finally together again, the two of them, full of longing and desire, clung to each other at the doorway, kissing as if they might never let go.

Karl’s lips trailed downward, brushing her neck, her collarbone—

Reunited after days apart, deeply in love and aching for each other, once things began, they were impossible to stop. The afternoon Marylin had meant to spend resting was instead consumed entirely by Karl, the two of them tangled together in bed—exhausting, and yet blissfully happy.

After the passion faded, Marylin lay curled against Karl, confusion creeping into her voice as she asked,

"I’m going back tomorrow. Why did you rush here today?"

In her mind, if he wanted to ease the longing, he should have come earlier. With her return just a day away, his timing felt... strange.

"To take you home," Karl replied, skillfully sidestepping the truth and keeping his real plans firmly hidden.

Marylin laughed softly and teased him,

"You came all this way just to pick me up? That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?"

Karl didn’t know how to respond. She was far too perceptive, and he feared she might guess something. So instead, he rolled over and pinned her beneath him, lowering his head to kiss her again.

Marylin turned her face away, dodging his lips.

"No, no—I’m exhausted. I really need a break."

A short separation only made their reunion burn hotter. They had poured themselves completely into that earlier lovemaking, and Marylin was thoroughly worn out.

But Karl had already decided he wouldn’t give her the chance to overthink anything. He reignited her body with renewed enthusiasm, until Marylin could only surrender once more, breathless, as they became entangled all over again.

Later, Marylin drifted into a light sleep. When evening lights began to glow outside, Karl gently woke her, reminding her that it was time to get ready for the night’s gathering.

Still half-asleep, Marylin wrapped her arms around his lean waist, pressing close to him as she murmured invitingly,

"Come to the party with me tonight. I’ll introduce you to everyone."

Although Marylin was no longer building her career in Manchester, the classmates and friends she had known before were still people close to her heart. Now that she had entered a new relationship—and was so deeply loved and cherished by him—she naturally wanted to introduce him to them.

It was precisely because she had truly acknowledged him that she was willing to do so.

Before, when Karl hadn’t come to Manchester, even if Marylin had wanted to introduce him, there had been no opportunity. As proud as she was of having such an outstanding boyfriend—and as much as she wanted to show him off—she would never have been so immature as to ask him to travel all the way from Burg Eltz just to satisfy her vanity.

But now he was here. Perfect timing—he could accompany her to the Channing banquet.

The smile at the corner of Karl’s lips was impossible to conceal. Of course he understood that her主动 invitation for him to attend the gathering was a deeper affirmation of their relationship.

"Alright," he agreed softly.

He pulled her closer into his arms, and with that affirmation, his confidence about proposing later that evening grew even stronger.

While Marylin went into the bathroom to wash up, Karl took out the evening gown he had brought with him—the one designed by Bert. When she stepped out of the bathroom, he smiled and held it out to her.

Marylin’s eyes were immediately drawn to it.

A pure, pristine white. The cut was simple and elegant, yet every detail was meticulously considered. The designer clearly understood her—knew that although she had a beautiful figure, she never liked to flaunt it. The neckline was modest and restrained, with intricate lace carefully concealing any hint of exposure.

She held the dress in her hands, examining it again and again, surprise and delight unmistakable on her face.

"What is this?" she asked.

Karl smiled mysteriously.

"My armor for tonight."

Marylin was deeply touched. She stepped forward and placed a generous kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you. I really love it."

Karl urged her gently,

"Go try it on."

Smiling brightly, Marylin nodded and turned to change. Karl found himself eagerly anticipating the sight of her in the dress—and Marylin herself felt the same anticipation.

When she emerged in the white gown, Karl had to admit that Bert truly was an exceptional designer. At first glance, the dress didn’t seem overly striking—but once worn, it was something else entirely.

Marylin was still bare-faced, without any makeup on, yet the dress alone made her radiant and dazzling. If she were fully dressed and styled... how breathtaking would she be then?

In that moment, Karl made another quiet decision: when they got married, every gown she wore would be designed by Bert.

He still remembered the wedding of Morrison and Lilian—how Bert had designed a series of exquisite wedding dresses and gowns for Lilian, making her impossibly beautiful on that day.

Holding up the hem of her skirt, Marylin spun lightly in front of him.

"Well? How do I look?"

Karl stepped forward, pulled her into his arms, and sealed her lips with his—answering her question with action rather than words. When the kiss ended, he held her close and murmured softly,

"You’re beautiful no matter what. Beautiful on the outside—and inside."

Marylin was clearly pleased by that. Then he leaned in again and added in a low voice by her ear,

"You’re beautiful with clothes on. And beautiful without them."

Instantly shameless again.

Marylin lifted her hand and pinched his waist, laughing softly as she scolded him,

"Have some decency."