Taking advantage of the nice vibe, Delia set her spoon down and leaned in slightly.
“Babe, that beating Matthew got earlier…
was it you?”
“You really did it, didn’t you?” She waved her hand excitedly, almost like she couldn’t hold it in.
She knew Matthew struck first, and deep down, she had a hunch Curtis must’ve hit back somehow.
Seeing how miserably Matthew ended up, she honestly couldn’t hide her joy.
She just had to know for sure.
Curtis’s hand paused mid-movement, fork in mid-air.
He looked up, meeting Delia’s probing gaze.
Those eyes were clear and bright, full of concern-and a hint of straight-up anticipation.
He didn’t want her to know that Matthew had actually tried to hire someone to kill him.
That part was too dirty, too dark.
He was used to dealing with this kind of mess himself, always keeping her far from the storm-even when all she ever gave him before was coldness and disdain.
It had become instinct by now.
So, he dodged the question.
Curtis set his fork down, dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, then met her gaze calmly.
“Why?”
Delia blinked.
“Why what?”
“Why did you do that just now?” His voice was low, eyes unreadable as though trying to look straight into her heart.
“Why stand up for me?
You even went after Craig and Vanessa.
You…
were never like this before.”
He remembered too well-back then when his family ganged up on him, Delia didn’t just stay quiet, she turned around and mocked him too.
Told him he deserved it, that his family was right.
Her cold stare and cutting words back then had hit him like a knife in the chest.
Delia bit her lip, guilt rushing up in her chest again.
But she forced down the sour feeling, and smiled.
She reached out, gently placing her hand over his.
His fingers were long and cool to the touch.
They trembled ever so slightly under hers.
“Do I even need a reason?
You’re my husband.”
“I just can’t stand seeing them walk all over you like that.
Your dad’s favoritism is way over the top…”
“And Vanessa and Matthew?
Total losers playing at power.”
“I was wrong before-I sided with them and hurt you too.” Her regret was genuine, thick in her tone.
She slowly tightened her grip, holding his hand a bit firmer, eyes locked on his.
“But not anymore, Curtis.
I swear, as long as I’m here, no one’s messing with you-not without going through me first.”
Each word hit him like a drumbeat straight to the chest. Get faster updates on g.com.
His heart thudded hard, a weird mix of warmth and ache knocking the breath out of him.
His composure cracked for a split second, and he quickly looked away.
He couldn’t let his eyes give away what was going on inside.
He kept quiet, swallowing hard, trying to calm the storm raging in his chest.
It took him a while to find his voice again.
“The Stocktons aren’t as simple as you think.”
“They don’t let anything go.
Humiliating them like that today…
they won’t forget.
They’ll come for you.”
“I’m serious-don’t jump into this stuff anymore.
I don’t want you dragged down because of me.”
The warning came from a place of real concern.
Curtis knew how nasty and treacherous his family could get-he didn’t want her hurt because of him.
But Delia just didn’t agree.
Armed with memories from another lifetime, she knew for a fact-this weak-looking man in the wheelchair would one day take over the entire Stockton empire in Oceanvale, strike like lightning, and crush them all.
Thinking of that, her eyes softened as she looked at him.
And in that moment, something in her heart just…
clicked into place.
Maybe when the time’s right-when he trusts her enough-she could finally tell him the truth about coming back to life.
That thought eased her heart a little, and a playful grin crept back onto her face.
She leaned in on purpose and blinked at him, her tone half teasing, “Babe, are you worried about me?”
“Relax, okay?
Besides…”
She stretched out the last word, “Looking out for my husband is just what I’m supposed to do.
You think you can send me packing?
Nope, not happening.”
Curtis’s ears started to flush red at her blunt words.
He cleared his throat, trying hard to keep his cool.
“You’re being ridiculous again.”
“I’m not making things up!” Delia pounced the moment he tried to dodge, not letting him escape.
“Don’t change the subject.
Spill it-what exactly did you do to Matthew?”
Her eyes locked on his, intense and unwavering.
She was clearly not letting this go without answers.
Curtis knew, looking at her, that if he didn’t fess up today, she wouldn’t let him breathe easy.
He sighed inwardly, giving in.
After a beat of silence, he finally looked up, meeting her gaze.
His voice low and calm, he said, “Yeah, it was me.
But I didn’t lay a hand on him.”
“What I did-was pull the plug on the cash flow for those empty shell companies under his name.”
“You don’t have to worry, he’s got nothing on me.”
He spoke lightly, like it wasn’t a big deal, but Delia’s eyes lit up.
She’d always known Curtis wasn’t someone to mess with, but this move?
Swift and decisive.
“Damn, that was badass!” she blurted out, even giving a little clap.
“I knew it-you’re amazing, babe!”
Her reaction was so real, so full of admiration, not a hint of fear.
Curtis was momentarily stunned.
That tiny thread of anxiety he’d felt-gone.
He looked at her radiant smile.
“You really believe in me that much?”
He remembered the old Delia-cold, dismissive, like he was worthless.
Her change now…
it shook him.
Delia blinked, caught off guard by the question.
Why did she believe in him?
Because she’d seen him lead the Stockton legacy as Noah.
But of course, she couldn’t say that.
She gave him a sly look, quickly thinking up another answer.
Reaching out, she held his wrist gently.
“You’re my husband.
If I don’t have faith in you, who else would I trust?”
“To me, you’re the best.
Period.”
Curtis felt the heat crawl back to his ears.
He lowered his gaze, quickly grabbed his water glass, and took a sip to steady himself.
Trying to act normal, he muttered, “Mm-hmm.”
But the small curve at the corner of his mouth gave him away.
Delia caught his every move and felt her heart bubble with sweet joy.
She blinked, then said each word slowly and clearly, “Curtis, from now on, I’ll always love you.
No matter what, I’ll be on your side, back you on every choice.
No matter what comes, I won’t leave you.
You’re not facing anything alone.”
The weight behind her words made them sound almost like vows.
Curtis’s fingers tightened slightly around his glass.
When he looked up, he saw the clarity and determination in her eyes.
It was like a whole universe lived in them-and it only reflected him.
Even though his logical side still screamed doubts…
His heart was already tipping toward her.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, all of it turned into a soft look instead.
“Okay.
I’ll remember that.”