His Contractual Mistress

Chapter 513 They're Alive

　　"Vincent wanted to settle a score with Samuel," John replied. He added, "I will make him pay for what he has done to you. You would not have been caught in our fight if I had known of his plan. I'm sorry, Carmen."

　　John brought Carmen's hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss. Carmen, who listens eagerly, senses the sincerity in his voice. Maybe John is genuinely in love with her, she thought.

　　"John, I do not fully comprehend everything that's going on now, but please be careful."

　　With what Carmen said to him, John saw a glimmer of hope. Maybe it was the best opportunity, so he replied, "I will. When everything is over, please marry me."

　　John let go of Carmen's hand and reached for his back pocket. Carmen gasped when she realized what was in John's hand.

　　"I wanted to propose properly in front of your family and mine."

　　Carmen scrutinizes John with confusion when he mentions "your family and mine," which makes her baffled at that part. She assumes John is referring to his friends. So Carmen pays less attention to that and listens to John's proposal further. He continued,

　　"But after I almost lost you, I cannot wait any longer. I won't miss any chance anymore before I am too late. Carmen, will you marry me?"

　　Carmen watched John get down on one knee and open the blue velvet box. She was elated to see the four-carat diamond ring illuminated by the ceiling lights of the ward. However, on the one hand, it puzzled her. Still, she could not decide whether to accept John's proposal and live in Ivy's shadow.

　　"Are you sure about this? If you are confused about your feelings for Ivy and me. Maybe you will regret marrying me later and ask for a divorce, so you don't need to go this far. We can start all over again by going out and spending time together. Maybe then, you can determine what you wanted or who you wanted to be with."

　　Before she gets hurt again, it is better to protect her heart from another heartbreak from the same man because if that happens one more time, she doesn't know if she can remain her sanity intact by then.

　　John stared at Carmen when she remained silent and unmoved. He could perceive the reluctance and sadness in her eyes.

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　　"Carmen, I want to spend my whole life with you. I want to have my own family and have children with you. We will never get a divorce. I don't want that to happen either. I would rather die than be separate from you."

　　"I love you, Carmen. I am not confused about who I love. As I've mentioned already, Ivy is happy with Jay, and I am glad about their marriage. And as for me, you are the woman I want to build a home with."

　　Carmen panicked when the walls around her heart were gradually taken down listening to John's confession. She still has doubts, but she is madly in love with John, and they are expecting a baby. Who does not dream of having a complete family? 

　　Kneeling on one foot, John waited for Carmen's answer; however, she seemed troubled. John panicked that Carmen might turn down his proposal.

　　"Carmen, I assure you that my love is genuine. There is no other woman that made my heart beat this way."

　　'How about Ivy?' Carmen couldn't help doubting John. "But John, I don't want to be just a replacement."

　　"Why do you say that?" asked John, perplexed. 'Is she thinking I broke up with her because I like Ivy?' He noticed that Carmen deliberately rejected him and even kept bringing Ivy up.

　　"Carmen, there is no one else in my heart but you. No other woman, and so you are not a replacement." John explained desperately. He would not stand until Carmen took him back and accepted his marriage proposal.

　　On the other hand, Carmen felt a heartache that John remained kneeling on one knee while handing her the dazzling engagement ring.

　　"John, please stand up. I know your legs and knees are numbing now."

　　"I would not get up until you say yes and marry me," John is persistent. He knew that he deserved to be punished in this way.

　　Carmen reached for her forehead and scratched the part that itched. She grew worried about John, so she urged him to get up.

　　"Please stand up, John. We can talk without you kneeling."

　　"Carmen…" John hesitated to get up, but Carmen extended her hand and invited him to sit on the bed. He stood on his feet, strode toward the bed, and sat down on the side.

　　"John, marriage is sacred to play around with. We can't just marry today and then get divorced tomorrow."

　　"But I have no plan in divorcing you," John stood firm.

　　"How about if I was the one who asked for it?"

　　John fell silent. His gaze on Carmen is solemn, searching for something on her face that might answer his confusion. It hurts him that Carmen doubted his sincerity.

　　"I will assure you that you won't regret marrying me. I will love you for the rest of my life, Carmen."

　　"But it was Ivy you originally loved. Am I right?" she asked John.

　　Carmen keeps bringing up Ivy as she had a belief that the latter rejected John. That's why he wants to rekindle with her. If that's the case, she would instead raise the child alone rather than live as only the second choice. She loves John. However, she needs love and respect in return, not just for convenience. 

　　"John, I love you so much that it hurts my heart. But I don't want to live in someone's shadow."

　　"Carmen, you would never live in someone's shadow. Regarding Ivy, she had her own husband. Even if she truly is a widow, my love for you would not change. You are the one I want to marry."

　　Carmen was confused. She processed every word John had said as if something was off. 'Am I missing something?'

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　　"Is that really true?" she asked.

　　"It's true. You are the one who I truly love."

　　"I thought you broke up with me because you would persuade Ivy now that she is a widow."

　　"No." John shook his head. He extended his arm, cupped Carmen's face, and said, "I am not pursuing anyone, especially one who had a husband. I broke up with you because I want to protect you. However, still, you were harmed by Samuel. I will make sure he will pay for everything he owes me."

　　"Samuel, is he who killed your father and twin brother?"

　　John looked at Carmen for a moment, then sighed. "He is the one who plotted the accident. Gladly, I asked for Vincent's help, and we turned the table without Samuel knowing it."

　　"What do you mean by that?" asked Carmen.

　　John perceived the eagerness in Carmen's eyes. She seemed to pay more attention to him now; perhaps it was the best time to share everything with Carmen.

　　"With the Shang brothers, Theo and Jeremy, they offered a deal to President Zhou. The offer was enticing for him to say no. Once he cooperates with us, it will be considered as all of his debts have been paid off. But of course, he needs to give up the company. Then Vincent will shoulder all of his trouble. So President Zhou worked with him; at the same time, I am also Vincent's accomplice."

　　Carmen was puzzled; she queried. "What do you mean?"

　　'If President Zhou cooperates with the Shangs and Vincent, then the Jackson family is?' Carmen tried to digest all the information that John was feeding her brain.

　　After some time, she analyzed the circumstances and then stitched everything that had happened. Carmen concluded later on. 

　　With wide eyes, she screams. "Your dad and Jay are alive!?"