Chapter 428
"Yeah."
Atticus nodded, pressing Olivia's hand to his chest. "Olivia, I get it. You can't fully trust me right now, no matter what you think. But this time, I'm not letting you go."
"I know it's selfish, but I can't stand the thought of losing you again. So, can you give me another shot?"
As the eldest son of the Wilson family, he had always been taught to live for the family's responsibilities.
Even if he had no interest in those things, he couldn't show it.
He studied and worked hard all his life, just to live up to the title of the eldest son.
If he hadn't accidentally ended up in military school, his life might have continued that way.
But then, an unexpected event changed everything.
One day, he returned home from the military on a rainy day.
He was outside smoking.
A girl fourteen years younger than him suddenly appeared in his view, looking up at him with a bright, youthful face.
"Hey, you're so handsome. Can I be your girlfriend?"
He remembered laughing it off at the time, not taking it seriously.
But every time he came home after that, he would run into her.
Until one day, she kissed the corner of his lips and confessed her feelings. It was then that Atticus realized she was serious.
For years, he avoided her, not wanting to make things awkward between them.
He always thought Olivia was too young and that she would meet someone else she liked more as she grew up. Then she would understand that her feelings for him were just a fleeting crush.
But to his surprise, her love persisted until now.
He used to worry about what people would think if they knew he was dating a girl so much younger than him.
But now, he didn't care.
The thought of her becoming someone else's wife tore at his heart.
Given the choice between reputation and love, he chose the latter.
As for what others would say, let them talk. He couldn't stop them anyway.
"Atticus, why do you always make me cry?"
This must be a dream. Otherwise, why would she feel so moved?
"Don't cry, sweetheart. I know I was wrong. From now on, you can punish me however you want. I'll listen to you, okay?"
Atticus whispered in her ear, making Olivia blush again.
"Really? You'll do whatever I say?"
Olivia blinked. If she said she wanted to marry him, would he agree?
Atticus, much older and wiser, saw through her thoughts but was willing to be at her mercy.
"Of course. Whatever you want, no conditions."
This time, Olivia finally believed he truly cherished her.
Things she never dared to dream of before were now coming true.
She instinctively hugged him back, clutching his coat tightly. "Atticus, I'm so scared this is a dream. When I wake up, you'll be cold and distant again."
"I won't."
Atticus gently stroked her head, his voice low and tender. "I'll always be by your side. Even when you wake up, you'll see the same me."
They held each other tightly.
Not far away, Isabella and Emilio, who had been following them, saw this and were overjoyed.
"Finally, Atticus and Olivia made up. The Wilson family is going to have a celebration."
"Emilio, thanks for your help."
Isabella turned to high-five Emilio. In her excitement, she jumped up, but when she landed, she lost her footing and tumbled down the hillside.
"Ah!"
Emilio reached out to catch her, but missed. He watched helplessly as Isabella disappeared from view, rolling down the slope.
The steps up the hill were made of stone, with no railings, surrounded by dangerous rocks and trees.
Though the fall wasn't life-threatening, Isabella was delicate, and the sharp stones could cause serious injuries.
In a split second, Emilio didn't think twice. He dropped his bag and rushed after Isabella.
But what no one knew was that someone had been following them all along. The moment Isabella fell, that person jumped down without hesitation.
Michael had been right behind Isabella. As he jumped, he saw her rolling down.
But she was moving too fast for him to catch her.
Below was a stretch of buildings. Without the trees to break her fall, Isabella would be seriously hurt.
Michael didn't hesitate. He positioned himself to block her fall with his own body.
Only this way could Isabella avoid injury.
As Isabella tumbled down, she felt dizzy. Just as she tried to grab onto something, she saw a familiar figure nearby.
It was Michael.
He had his arms out, ready to catch her?
Isabella's mind went blank. Even a fool would know that in her current state, crashing into him would cause serious injury.
What was he thinking?
"Michael, you're crazy! Get out of the way. Ah!"
Before she could finish, she collided with Michael. The next second, she was enveloped in a warm embrace, and they rolled together.
Michael, worried she might get hurt, held her tightly.
They rolled down quite a distance until Isabella heard a muffled groan above her. Finally, they stopped.
Isabella, using her last bit of strength, stood up and saw they had crashed into a tree, narrowly avoiding disaster.
Though she was sore all over, her injuries were only superficial.
But Michael, who had risked himself to protect her, had taken the brunt of the impact. His hands and face were visibly injured from the rocks and trees.
"Michael, are you okay?"
"Michael."
Isabella checked his injuries and shook him. She realized he had passed out.
Remembering the painful groan she heard when they stopped, she understood how much danger Michael had shielded her from.
She had only suffered external injuries, but his wounds might have affected his internal organs.
Isabella grew anxious.
"Michael, wake up!"
Fearing for his safety, Isabella forgot their earlier argument and slapped his face lightly.
"Can you hear me? Wake up."
Michael slowly opened his eyes, feeling a burning pain in his back. Then he saw Isabella's worried and pained expression.
He sighed in relief.
"Isabella, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Michael felt like his body had hit something hard. Even speaking made his chest ache.