Marrying A Secret Zillionaire: Happy Ever After Novel

Chapter 1117: "Dolores..." he murmured, his voice a mix of reproach and awe. "Have you lost your mind? That chandelier could've killed you. You didn't even think-you just ran to me. Why would you do that?" Dolores raised her head, her gaze narrowing at the chandelier's unsteady sway overhead. Despite the uneasy flicker, the fixture remained in place. Nearby, Jeffery looked up at Joanne as they lay on the floor, confusion flickering across his face. "Ms.

Ellis, what brings you running over here?" Taking a moment, he gently inquired, "Do you think you can get up?" Breathing heavily, Joanne noticed how Jeffery kept his hands on either side of her, never intruding. A hint of irony shadowed her eyes as she regarded him. Jeffery's concern deepened. "Ms. Ellis?" he called again, perplexed by her silence. A furrow formed between his brows as he tried to read her expression. "Did you hurt yourself?" Only then did Joanne lift her eyes, her voice low and wry.

"Right now, I almost wish I had." Jeffery registered her answer, but the intention behind it escaped him. That puzzled look on his face left Joanne unwilling to continue the conversation. All her initial planning-using her partnership with Dustin to edge closer to Jeffery-now seemed pointless. With Jeffery right in front of her, Joanne found herself at a complete loss, unable to muster a single word or action. "I'm fine. There's no injury," Joanne murmured, her gaze dropping to the floor. Pushing herself upright with both hands, she tried to mask her unease.

Without warning, her ankle wobbled inside the narrow heel, sending her off balance. A small gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it. Out of nowhere, a firm grip caught her wrist, anchoring her. Startled, Joanne glanced up, her heart racing as she realized Jeffery was the one steadying her. Her focus drifted from his composed face to the reassuring hand wrapped around her wrist. "Watch your step," Jeffery said, his voice calm and courteous as he helped her regain her footing. Explore more fiction on gαℓησνs․ Assured that Joanne was no longer at risk of falling, he promptly let go.

He scanned the area, quickly locating Alicia and Linsey a short distance away, feeling relieved that Alicia hadn't witnessed the near accident. Even though the chandelier hadn't come crashing down, its erratic movement had shaken everyone. Lingering close, Joanne found herself watching him, a quiet yearning flickering in her eyes. A wave of memory swept over her, pulling her back to afternoons on campus when she would quietly study the curve of Jeffery's jaw from a distance. A small hope stirred inside her-maybe Jeffery hadn't truly forgotten. Perhaps those memories simply lay dormant.

The thought crossed her mind: if only she could spark his memory, surely those moments from long ago would come rushing back. Gathering her resolve, she softly called out, "Jeffery..." Her words had barely left her lips before another voice cut through the moment. "Jeffery!" Alicia called, moving carefully, her hands resting protectively on her expectant belly. . . .