BACK in the old days, Tessa will just nod and say yes to everything that Christian says. But now it seemed like she was a different person, a stranger. Or maybe because she had amnesia?

“Marry me.” He cupped her face. “Let’s get married. If you become my wife, you don’t need to work anymore. I own a multi-billion company, Tessa. I can make you my queen. Isn’t it great?”

She met his gaze. Christian saw something in her eyes, an emotion he couldn’t name. It was the first time he saw her eyes like that. It was different. Was there another soul trapped inside Tessa’s body?

He shook his head. What made him think of that ridiculous thought?

“Marriage?” Tessa heaved a deep sigh. “We just—”

“We’re about to get married before you were gone. I don’t care about that damn three years we’re apart, Tessa. All I want is you.” His thumb lightly brushed her soft pinkish cheek.

Even without makeup Tessa’s cheeks were pinkish, her lips still plump and red. Three years made her beautiful than ever. Her dewy glass skin shines. It made him careful with every touch, afraid that she might break in his hands like fragile porcelain.

“Do you love me, Christian?” Tessa wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Of course, I do.” He tucked the loose strands of her hair behind her ear and embraced her. “I love you, that is why I wanted to keep you by my side.”

“Love is something deeper, Christian.” She raised her head and looked at him. That unnamed emotion never leaves her eyes.

“What?” Christian’s brows creased.

“It requires deeper emotions and sometimes sacrifices.”

“Are you telling me that my love for you is not enough?” He let out a short laugh. “Until now, you still don’t know how much I love you? Or it’s just me all this time?”

There was this awkward silence between them.

Christian freed her from his embrace.

He heaved a deep sigh. Their conversation was going nowhere. Maybe it was not the right time to talk about their wedding. He was about to leave the couch when he remembers something.

“Victoria…” Tessa turned to him. “I’d like to meet her.”

Victoria must have been the reason for Tessa’s sudden change. He wanted to meet her to see what kind of person she was.

She cocked her head to one side and smiled.

“Of course, you and Victoria must meet. Come, take me home, Christian.” Tessa opened her arms wide as if she was going to embrace him.

“We’ll leave at ten.”

He picked up his phone and called his secretary to cancel his appointments on that day.

TESSA got off the car in front of the large metal gate. She rang the bell, a few moments later, the gate opened. She went back inside the car, and Christian drove to the alley.

After a ten-minute drive in the alley, they reached the main gate of the estate. It was already open, with guards waiting for their arrival. Christian felt a little awkward. He owns a multi-billion company, but he does not live in luxury. He just lives in a penthouse in one of the buildings that he owns.

Tessa was the first one to get off, he followed.

His eyes wandered. There was this intimidating feeling just by looking around the surrounding. The big mansion was screaming its owner’s wealth. Victoria wasn’t just a rich businesswoman. She was a queen. But he can’t help but wonder how lonely it is to live in a vast estate alone. He turned to Tessa, who was looking at him.

“Victoria was fond of English royalties.” Tessa hooked her arm on his. “She always tells me that she dreamed of living in a castle when she was young.”

“Ah…” he drawled.

“Welcome home, Miss Eyre.” A woman in a black suit welcomed them.

Christian looked at Tessa.

“It’s… ah, the name Victoria gave me,” she explained.

“Miss Eyre, Victoria’s waiting for you at the dining hall.” The woman ushered them.

“So, this is where you live for the last three years,” he whispered. Christian glanced at her. She was smiling.

“Not really. When I was—” she paused. “Most of the time, we’re overseas, managing the business.”

“What kind of business?” His thumb lightly brushed her knuckles.

“Victoria’s late husband left her a chain of hotels, resorts, and restaurants. And then two years ago, she built a fashion house here in the Philippines and started a fashion magazine. And now we have a modeling and advertising agency.”

A few seconds elapsed, they finally reached the dining hall.

Victoria was sitting at the other end of the dining table filled with meals; it was a feast. She immediately stood up to greet them.

“Hi, welcome,” she said with a smile. “Have a seat.” Her hand gestured to sit at the chairs close to her.

Christian pulled a chair for Tessa before he settled himself beside her.

“I am glad that you finally found each other again.” He glanced at Victoria, who was pouring wine on her glass. “Since Eyre’s memories of you came back, she’d been dying to see you. Wine?”

Christian raised his glass, and Victoria poured the wine. She did the same with Tessa.

“Why did you change her name?” he asked.

There was a bit of resentment in his voice, but she managed to maintain her smile.

“I have no choice but to give her a new name. I have nothing to address her. She lost all of her memories. The doctor said it might be permanent, maybe not.” Victoria sipped her wine while looking at him. There was this spark in her eyes. “And besides, I already adopted her. I have the right to give her a name, don’t you think?”

“Right, Tessa’s an orphan,” he said.

Victoria and Tessa looked at each other, shocked.

“Why? You still don’t remember anything about your past?” Christian asked Tessa, puzzled.

Tessa’s mouth opened and then closed again.

“There are some memories she doesn’t remember yet. The doctor said that must be something traumatic for her,” Victoria explained. “So, please bear with her. She’s gone through a lot before she finally remembers you.”

Christian nodded. He could only imagine her sufferings. “I understand.”

“I hope you and Victoria will get along well sooner. She’s my family now.” He glanced at Tessa. “And I hope, Victoria, Christian will get your approval.”

A short silence ensued.

“It is not fair to disapprove. He’s a fine young man.”

He heard Tessa quietly chuckle and then looked at him.

“Yes, he is…” she agreed.

“If that’s the case…” He turned to Victoria. “I am taking her with me. We would also like to let you know that we are getting married soon.”

“Christian, we… talked about this, don’t we?” Tessa grabbed his arm.

He caught Victoria looking at Tessa.

Christian’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He excused himself to answer the call.

“I DIDN’T expect things to be that fast.” Victoria sipped her wine again.

It was just the two of them in the dining hall. Christian went outside to answer the call. He must have gone to the foyer or went out to the garden.

“Me, too! I was shocked when he mentioned the wedding when we were at the hotel this morning.” Eyre whispered. She kept her tone low. “We have to come up with something to delay the wedding.”

“No, go for it.”

Eyre’s eyes opened wide. “But how about Tessa? I can’t marry Christian until we’re not sure that she’s out of the picture.”

Victoria shook her head.

“You’re wrong, darling. You should take this opportunity to marry him. If you’re married, there’s nothing Tessa could do to get back on his life.” She leaned forward to her. “You have to make sure that you’ll get his heart no matter what. Or else, you’ll lose.”

She clenched her fist. She can’t lose Christian to her sister, not with anyone.

“Tell Nicolas that I want to see him.”

“So, do you think he believes you?” Victoria crossed her arms over her chest.

“I think so.” She cleared her throat when she saw Christian coming.

“So, where are we?” he asked after settling down on his seat.

“Your wedding,” Victoria responded. “I’d like to help with the wedding preparations, Christian.”

Christian looked at her before he turned to face Victoria. “Sure, you may take part in the preparations. I appreciate that.”

“Ah… I’d like to work with your mother, Christian. I’m sure she has gorgeous ideas, too.”

Christian was silent for a moment. “I haven’t told them that Tessa’s back.”

“Oh…” Victoria turned to her. “Wouldn’t it be a problem? I mean, will they accept Tessa after what happened?”

“Honestly, they hated her. But I’m sure they’ll forgive her after knowing the truth.” He held her hand and squeezed it tightly. “And besides, whether they like it or not, I am going to marry Tessa.”

“Let’s eat before the food gets cold,” she said, with a satisfied smile plastered in her face.