Forsaking the Years of Longing
Forsaking Billionaire 23

Chapter 23

Charlotte was trying on her wedding dress when her phone chimed with a few notifications.

Busy adjusting the hem of her gown, she didn't have time to check.

"Theodore, could you see who it's from?" she asked, her head still bent.

Theodore, dressed in a tailored black suit that accentuated his tall, lean figure, nodded lightly.

"Sure."

Leaning casually against the wall, he picked up Charlotte's phone and unlocked it by entering her initials and birthdate.

When he saw Grace's message, he paused briefly before reading it aloud.

"Charlotte, Jaziel and Nolan said they want to attend your wedding. What do think... should they come?"

His deep gaze darkened slightly, and his voice carried a faint trace of jealousy.

"Charlotte, what do you think? Should we let them attend my wedding?"

Taking a few steps forward, Theodore approached her from behind and waved off the assistants who had been helping her. With a calm authority, he knelt to adjust the hem of her dress himself.

His tall, broad frame nearly enveloped her, and his long, well-defined fingers glided over the fabric with practiced ease, yet the moment felt oddly intimate.

"Theodore... maybe... maybe it's better not to let them come," Charlotte stammered, her face reddening as she watched him work with such focus. Theodore chuckled softly, placing one hand firmly around her waist and pulling her gently into his arms. With the other hand, he brushed her hair aside. "Charlotte, trust me," he murmured.

"Trust your husband. Even if they come to our wedding, they won't be able to stir up anything."

His chin rested lightly on her shoulder, his low, magnetic voice resonating in her ears.

Charlotte stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror, her face gradually heating up, though she didn't notice when it had started. Her entire face was flushed. Whatever Theodore said next, she couldn't process; she simply nodded absentmindedly.

"Uh... okay..."

Her heart raced uncontrollably, as if it were about to leap out of her chest.

Behind her, Theodore noticed her shyness and smirked, his handsome face lighting up with amusement.

"Charlotte, look. You're beautiful in the mirror," he teased playfully.

Charlotte's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. She didn't realize that her reaction now was entirely different from how she used to respond to Jaziel or Nolan. Her gaze darted around nervously, looking anywhere but at the man behind her.

She didn't even notice when her phone ended up in her hand, or when Theodore, guiding her fingers, typed the word "Yes" in reply to Grace.

The warmth of his palm lingered on her hand, and it sent her thoughts into a whirlwind.

Only after regaining her composure did Charlotte realize something-Theodore had been jealous earlier.

An incredulous thought crept/into her mind.

Does Theodore... like me?

Covering her burning cheeks with her hands, Charlotte couldn't bring herself to believe it,

She reminded herself that they had only been together for a few days-how could feelings develop so quickly?

They were married now, and jealousy in such situations was natural.

Determined to clear her head,