Chapter 77

77 77. Love Confession

Nobody knew how long it had been since Paula’s feet had tiptoed to match William’s height, so that her lips could meet his, touching them without difficulty. Her white stilettos weren’t tall enough to help her do the job. William was still too tall even though Paula wasn’t exactly short.

All Paula did was touch his lips with hers. It was only a peck because she only meant to thank him. However, for some reason, Paula did it for a very long time. A mere peck shouldn’t last that long.

Paula didn’t mean to linger. However, as soon as William’s breath’s mint and acai berry scent wafted into her nose, she couldn’t take her lips off his. She wanted more.

It was just a peck on the lips, but William’s heart was pounding wildly. Paula’s light kiss shouldn’t have aroused his desire, making his third leg tense up. This was so wrong because all Paula did was just come closer to him, touch his cheeks, then press her lips on his. However, those simple acts sent chills down his entire body.

William wanted to bite Paula’s sweet and soft lips. He wanted more than a peck on the lips. However, his feelings of guilt for doing bad things to Paula prevented him from doing any further.

It should have been just a kiss. However, Paula couldn’t fight the reaction in her body. Something moved in her chest, down into her stomach, and towards her core. She was sure, that time, something was coming out from her core, creaming her pants.

Knowing that this would end badly, Paula immediately separated herself from William awkwardly. She lowered her hands and hid them behind her butt out of shame.

“Ah, I just ... wanted to thank you,” Paula stammered. She didn’t usually feel that awkward. She had to try hard, breathing regularly, so William wouldn’t hear her fast-beating heart.

William shook his head in response. He looked at Paula with his droopy emerald eyes, expressing deep sadness. “What I did is not much. This all will not be able to make up for the bad things I did to you. I don’t deserve a thank you kiss from you.”

.....

Paula frowned. She wondered why William had come from New York to Tokyo to say something she didn’t quite understand. Was William unhappy that she suddenly gave a light peck?

Right. That must be what happened. William was kind and considerate to her because the relationship between them had always been good. Not that William was paying special attention to her.

“Are you here because you want to talk about the divorce?” asked Paula, looking for the truth of her assumption.

William flinched at Paula’s question. He again forgot that the two of them were indeed discussing divorce. However, considering everything he did to his wife was so bad, what woman didn’t ask for a divorce after being treated so cruelly? Even if he was drunk at the time.

William then took something out of his coat. He handed a light blue book to his wife. Of course, Paula was very surprised that the book was in William’s hands.

“So you have this book?” asked Paula with wide eyes.

“Lea found it and kept it,” William answered quietly. His throat tightened. He had to speak carefully because he didn’t want Paula to hate Lea. However, was it even possible?

Paul nodded slowly. She understood very well, if Lea found this, Lea would definitely hide it because she didn’t want William to know about her biological child.

“I understand. Anyone would understand if they were in the same position as Lea. She definitely doesn’t want to lose you because of this baby,” Paula paused. “Have you explained to Lea that you don’t really want a baby? If not, explain to her so she doesn’t have to worry.”

William snorted softly. His eyes were now glassy. He looked at Paula with an apologetic look.

“Paula, I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to you. I’ve been cruel, I hurt you when I was drunk. I even called you lying when you said that you are pregnant with our baby,” William said in a hoarse, sad voice. “I’m such a coward. I even told you that I didn’t want to be a father. You must be very disappointed in me, right?”

Paula’s mouth gaped. “William, we did make this baby together. But I don’t mind if you don’t want this child,” Paula replied, trying to be strong. She was happy to hear William’s apology. However, she did not want William to feel guilty just because of this baby. That’s not a good excuse in Paula’s opinion. Nothing good came from a forced relationship. “Will, I never wanted to use this baby to tie you up. We can think of this as ... like ... just a sperm donation.”

William shook his head, not believing Paula’s answer. “Paula, don’t say that. Please stop all this. You used to ask me to have sex with the reason of friends-with-benefits. Now you’re calling me a sperm donor-”

“William, I don’t want a forced relationship. You love Lea, don’t you? Grab your happiness because you have the opportunity,” Paula was still trying to refute William’s statement.

William couldn’t refrain himself. He held Paula’s face, cupping her beautiful face in his palms. “Paula, every child has the right to be with his biological father. We are a family. Please forgive me so we can both start over again.”

Paula’s eyes filled with tears seeing William’s seriousness. Unfortunately, she still wasn’t sure. “Then what about Lea, Will?”

“She will find her own happiness, Paula! She decided to go herself,” William said, then opened Paula’s pregnancy journal, revealing a letter from Lea.

Paula read it slowly. Without her knowing it, her tears fell one by one. She looked at William in disbelief. She had mixed feelings, she didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. If she’s happy, she’s happy over Lea’s misery. When she’s sad, she honestly wanted this very much-to be with the man she loves.

“Will you forgive me?” William asked Paula again.

“William, I’m not sure about this. If you only feel sorry for me, I will certainly forgive you,” Paula replied without looking at William’s face. “However, as for continuing our marriage ....”

Paula swallowed heavily. She looked away, looking at anything as long as it wasn’t William.

William’s chest felt squeezed at Paula’s reaction. He knew Paula would have a hard time forgiving him. From the start, he had been unfair to her. He had intended to divorce her from the start. Something very lame and strange when he suddenly changed.

“I know. From the start, I wasn’t sure it would work either,” William said with a bitter laugh. “If you’re still unsure, how about we stay married, think of it like co-parenting. How about it?”

William looked nervously at Paula, hoping that his proposal would be accepted this time.

“Co-parenting?” asked Paula.

“Yes. Of course. What’s the problem? You don’t have a partner, and neither do I. It wouldn’t hurt if we called off the divorce first, would it?”

Paula looked at William suspiciously. “What kind of thing are you proposing, anyway?”

“Hey, we are doing it your way! In the past, we were married, but you proposed a friendship with benefits, and ... you just said your husband is a sperm donor. So, what’s wrong with co-parenting when we’re still married too?” William tried to defend his opinion. This time, he was determined to win the argument with Paula.

“Co-parenting?” Paula asked again. “Platonic one? With no ... benefits? No sex included?”

“Impossible!!” William rejected it in a hurry. “We are married. We need to do marital duties.”

Paula narrowed her eyes. William’s face was red, showing his true intentions.

“And why should I agree to your proposal this time, Mr. Montgomery?” Paula asked suspiciously. She provoked William, to tell the truth.

“Because ... because I love you, Paula,” William said hoarsely, making Paula’s eyes widen.

For a moment, Paula’s heart seemed to stop beating. William proclaimed love, was something that exists only beyond her imagination. All she imagined from William was an I-am-in-lust-with-you statement.

“You love me?” Paula asked again. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure of this.”

William even though he had planned an amazing thing to express love. Who would have thought that everything would turn into a mess? The flower bouquet was ruined, and the supposedly romantic dialogue turned ridiculous.

Paula didn’t want to believe it. However, what prevented her from believing? William had tried to prove it all.

“Actually, I love you too, Will!” replied Paula with a coy smile.

“Really?” William cheered with joy. He just hoped Paula would forgive him and move on with the marriage. However, Paula actually expressed love. This was a miracle. “So you forgive me? We’re not divorced?”

Paula nodded with a smile. William couldn’t contain his excitement. He then embraced Paula, lifted her body, swung it, and cheered with joy. He shouted out to the world that he got what he wanted.

“I managed to get my wife’s love!”

“Soon I will be a father!”

They both laughed in excitement to the point of exhaustion. William then put Paula down, then whispered, “May I kiss you?”

Paula nodded. They both kissed. However, this time with passion and deep feelings.