“Now,” Sir Orton began again, “before we move on to the feast, there’s something I want to ask, something we all want to hear.”
The room became silent, and Anabel, along with Desmond, looked up in curiosity.
Sir Orton turned to her with a serious gaze. “Anabel, my only daughter… Do you truly want to accept Desmond again? Do you want to marry him? Not out of pressure, not out of nostalgia, but from your heart?”
All eyes turned to her, and the room held its breath. Anabel’s lips curved into a gentle smile. She turned her head slowly to look at Desmond, who was already watching her with eyes full of love. There was no hesitation in her gaze, no doubt in her heart.
“I love him,” she said. “I’ve loved him through the pain, through the silence, through the distance. And yes… I will marry him again and again.”
A collective sigh of joy swept through the room. Desmond’s heart swelled, his eyes glistening with emotion. He reached for her hand across the table and held it tightly.
Sir Orton nodded, satisfied. “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear.”
Then he turned to Desmond. “And you, young man. Do you still want to marry my daughter?”
Desmond didn’t hesitate. He sat up straighter. “Sir, if I don’t marry your daughter, I don’t think I’ll survive. She is my heart. My peace. My life. I love her more than I love my own life. And I will cherish her for as long as I breathe.”
Mrs. Orton dabbed her eyes with a napkin, smiling through her tears. Bella reached over and squeezed her brother’s shoulder.
“Well then,” Sir Orton said, smiling broadly, “since you have both accepted each other again in our presence, you can go ahead and register a new marriage certificate at the Civil Affairs Bureau.
But before the room could erupt in cheers, Desmond raised his hand gently with a quiet smile tugging at his lips.
“There’s actually no need for that,” he said calmly, and everyone turned to him. Desmond looked at Anabel, then back at the others. “I never submitted the divorce papers to the court. I signed them, and she signed as well. But I couldn’t bring myself to file them. I kept them in my drawer all this time. Our divorce was never legal.” He said, and everyone was surprised. They couldn't believe it.
“I wanted her to accept me back first,” he continued. “I wanted to be sure she still believed in us before I told anyone. Legally… we were never divorced. We are still husband and wife. One hundred percent.”
Anabel’s eyes widened, and then a slow, knowing smile spread across her face. Her heart swelled with emotion. She had thought he truly let go. But now, hearing this confession from him, made her realize he truly loved her.
“You never stopped loving me,” she said softly.
Desmond shook his head. “My heart belongs to you. I never wanted you out of my life.”
The room was silent for a heartbeat, then erupted in joyful laughter and applause. Sir Orton chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, that makes things even easier!”
Mrs. Orton wiped her tears again from her eye. “Gosh! This is so emotional."
"This is so lovely." Desmond's mom said. "A second chance without even needing to start over."
She turned to Anabel. "This means you are coming with us, right?" She looked at Sir Orton and the wife.
"If she wants to go with him, she's free." Sir Orton said. "I approve it. I'm sure she won't be able to sleep well this night if she stays here."
Anabel couldn't help but smile. She knew Father was right. She wouldn't be able to sleep if she stayed behind. This was all she had been waiting for.
"I'm going with him." She finally said, and Desmond smiled. His eyes never left hers.
As the joy settled, Mrs. Orton stood up. “Alright, enough talk. It’s time to eat!”
She turned toward the kitchen. “Bella, dear, come help me.”
Desmond’s younger sister, Bella, stood up eagerly. “Yes, ma’am!”
Bella followed her into the kitchen, where the aroma of the feast was rich and inviting.
Together, they began to plate the food, chatting and laughing as they did that. They returned to the dining room, arms full of trays, and began to serve the food. Plates were passed around, and the table came alive with the clinking of cutlery. Everyone began to eat.
Anabel had changed her seat and was now sitting behind Desmond like a couple that they are. Their hands occasionally brush as they eat, their eyes meeting with silent smiles. Across the table, their families were talking and laughing. Everyone was happy.