"From now on..."
Stella slowly raised her arms, resting them gently on his shoulders. Her voice was incredibly soft. "You never have to worry about not having the right to celebrate your birthday again."
"I'll celebrate it with you, and so will your family."
"..."
Roger froze slightly, recalling his own words: Men who haven't locked down a wife don't have the right to celebrate.
Silly girl.
Did she really marry him just out of pity, because he didn't get any presents?
"Are you sure you aren't angry? Or regretting it?"
Roger pulled back slightly, stroking her cheek. He chuckled, a low, husky sound. "I was fully prepared for you to slap me."
"I love the Gates family."
Stella shook her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. She didn't hold back her praise. "Charlotte is wonderful, Samantha is wonderful, everyone is so wonderful."
Marrying into a family like this was the greatest blessing she could ask for.
"Roger..."
Stella looked up, her clear, bright eyes locking onto his, her expression entirely serious. "I'll work hard."
"Hmm?"
Roger's eyes narrowed slightly, a profound affection swirling in their depths, practically swallowing her whole.
"I'll become better."
Stella rested her palm against his cheek. Saying these words seemed to take a lot of resolve. "I won't make you regret this, and I won't let the Gates family down."
She knew her own baggage.
Them being together was bound to cause a stir.
She had tried to leave him before, but she realized...
Things only got worse when they were apart.
So.
She wanted to try.
"Okay."
Knowing how sensitive she was, Roger didn't argue. "I'll work hard too, to make sure my Stella never regrets it."
"Wait, no."
He paused, correcting himself with a grin. "To make sure Mrs. Gates never regrets it."
"..."

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