Chapter 784

The person at the door was indeed Natalie, and she was genuinely shocked by the scene on the bed.

But even more shocked was Kristin. Although her mother had covered her eyes, she still saw a little bit of the action.

"Marico, why aren't you wearing any clothes?"

The figures on the bed instantly froze.

Marico turned his head stiffly to see Natalie glaring at him, with Kristin standing right in front of her. The little girl was trying to pry her mother's hand away, frustrated that she couldn't see.

"Mom, what's wrong with Marico? Let me see him!"

Marico finally snapped out of his daze. He glared at Natalie, scrambled into his clothes, and ordered the woman to get dressed immediately.

"Mr. Stapleton, who are this mother and daughter?" the woman asked, utterly bewildered.

"None of your business! Get dressed and get out!"

"Are they your wife and kid?"

"Stop asking questions!"

"What is wrong with you? Playing around when you have a wife and kid? You're an absolute creep!"

"Get the hell out!"

After kicking the woman out, Marico finished dressing. Natalie finally uncovered Kristin's eyes.

Now able to see, Kristin immediately ran toward Marico.

"Marico, Mom said you had a surprise for us! What is it?"

Marico wiped away a cold sweat. "A surprise? More like a heart attack!"

He let Kristin play on the large bed while he pulled Natalie out to the balcony.

"What were you saying on the phone? Marriage?" Marico asked, clearly irritated.

Natalie scoffed. "You heard me."

Marico pointed at her, then at himself. "You think we're a match?"

"Absolutely not."

"Then why are you..."

"I'm doing this to help you! Didn't your mother say she'd lock you up abroad if you didn't marry me?"

"Come on, you aren't that kind."

Natalie fell silent for a moment. "Fine. If I don't marry you, the Amos family will definitely try to take Kristin from me."

"Hmph, I knew you had an ulterior motive."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't make such a huge sacrifice."

Hearing her admit this actually made Marico feel a bit better. Hedit a cigarette, leaned lazily against the wall, and tilted his chin toward her.

"Did you see that woman just now?"

"What's your point?"

"This is my life. Drinking, sleeping around, never coming home. Can you handle that?"

"Why wouldn't I? We're not marrying for love. We're just using each other."

Marico narrowed his eyes. "What if you fall in love with me after we marry, start controlling me, and demand my loyalty?"

"Maybe you should look in the mirror first."

Marico took another drag. "Getting a license is fine, but we have to know our place. We aren't a real married couple, and we never will be."

"That's fantastic."

Marico looked at Natalie's complete agreement and scoffed. He tossed the cigarette butt, pulled her behind the curtain, and rested his forehead hers. Their breaths tangled and a maddening itch to kiss her took over.

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Natalie turned her head away. "Were you just talking out of your ass a second ago?"

"I said we wouldn't fall in love, but physical communication is still on the table." He kissed her earlobe, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her skin That night, I waited for you ar the hotel for a long time.

"I never told you to wait."

"Eventually, I got too scared to wait."

"Why?"

"Because I was afraid I'd completely wreck you in that bed."