Scum Daddy Dreams Of Stealing My Mommy!
Chapter 325: Marriage Proposal

Chapter 325: Chapter 325: Marriage Proposal

Mr. Hart noticed her face turning red, her shy and flustered appearance stirring an itch in his heart. Unable to resist, he grabbed her hand again and held it tightly in his palm: "When are you moving in? That house Benny Palmer gave you, you’d better move out soon, or he’ll accuse me of taking advantage of him again..."

In truth, Young Master Palmer couldn’t care less about this; someone was just using it as an excuse.

"..." Amelia turned her head away, avoiding eye contact.

Last night, as she was lying down, she had already been mulling over this question.

Although their relationship had eased, she genuinely didn’t have any plans for cohabitation at the moment.

Perhaps years of living freely and independently had made her unaccustomed to restrictions—or maybe the obstacles between them hadn’t fully dissipated, and she feared future upheavals. In any case, she wasn’t ready to immediately change their living arrangements.

"Well... I’ve thought it through. Once I have more financial freedom, I’m planning to buy Young Master Palmer’s villa outright."

"What do you mean?"

Seeing his expression darken, Amelia quickly reassured him: "Don’t get mad just yet—listen to my reasoning."

"Go ahead."

"I know how you feel about me, but right now isn’t the right moment for us to publicly reconcile. Having my own place gives me a stronger sense of stability and peace."

"I think you’ve been drinking too much of that toxic self-help nonsense."

That particular flavor of toxic advice preached that every woman needed her own house to maintain personal and financial independence.

Even when married couples argue, having her own space means she’d have somewhere to retreat.

His face grew stern, his tone disgruntled, "Even if we argue, wouldn’t several levels of Imperial Garden be enough for you? Where couldn’t you go—actually, no, I’ll leave instead. I promise I won’t get in your way."

So it turns out he understood quite a lot.

Amelia chuckled softly and examined him, "I’m afraid you talk a good game now, but if the temper flares up someday, you might just tell me to get lost."

"That’s impossible!"

She laughed tenderly, "Christopher, there’s no need to argue about this issue. I might change my mind eventually, but for now, I really want my own space."

Christopher still found it hard to accept.

He had waited for this day—waited far, far too long.

After working so hard to warm her heart and bring her back to his side, was he really supposed to settle for a situation where they would still live apart?

"If you’re thinking that living together right now is inappropriate since it wouldn’t feel official, then let’s immediately get remarried—no, to be precise, register for marriage."

After all, the Amelia Garcia identity, from a legal perspective, no longer existed.

She was now called Clarke Norton.

Although he didn’t know what means she had used at that time to obtain this new identity, it was a fact that it was hers now.

Thus, he’d be marrying Clarke Norton as a second marriage.

But all their friends and family understood that this was, in essence, a remarriage.

Yesterday, Snow Fitch had even brought up this issue, and Christopher had been considering an opportunity to broach the topic. Unexpectedly, the chance presented itself now.

"Amelia, since you now understand my feelings for you, let’s make it final—we’ve already wasted four or five years and can’t afford to lose more time."

Christopher clutched her hand tightly, his handsome face brimming with sincerity.

Amelia gazed into his deep, captivating eyes, and for a moment, she was indeed moved.

But Michael Garcia’s threats still echoed in her ears.

In the quiet of the car, Christopher waited intently for her response, clearly sensing her inner struggle, hesitation, and conflict.

In truth, this was already better than the outcome he had imagined.

He had thought she would flatly refuse him without a second thought.

After a long pause, Amelia gently freed her hand, her brows faintly furrowing as she murmured, "Why does marriage have to be necessary? That one piece of paper doesn’t guarantee anything."

"Of course, it does! That paper is what allows me to stand at your side openly and righteously."

She suddenly quipped, "You can’t stand right now as it is."

"..." Christopher nearly exploded with anger.

Realizing she had gone too far, she quickly tried to explain: "I... I didn’t mean to mock your current condition. It’s just that—I genuinely hadn’t prepared myself to reconcile with you. Please give me more time."

Christopher knew these were all excuses.

Deep down, she must have countless apprehensions, which made her unwilling to be bound to him so soon.

After some thought, he decided to give both of them a way out: "Fine, I’ll give you more time. After all, I’ve waited this long. And you’re right—I should only propose after I can stand again. I should plan an elaborate proposal ceremony or something. We can’t just rush into marriage twice like it’s child’s play."

What he said was indeed true.

Their marriage back then had been orchestrated entirely by Elder Hart.

At that time, Christopher had harbored misunderstandings about her, and she had been unwilling to explain herself. Instead, she deliberately projected the image of a vain and hypocritical gold-digger marrying him for wealth and status. The two of them never even had a proper wedding ceremony—they merely had a meal with their families before she moved into Christopher’s residence.

There had been no proposal, no grand banquet, and not even one occasion where they publicly appeared as a married couple.

She had been like a hidden mistress, living in the shadows as Young Madam Hart for three years.

Now, with their misunderstandings resolved, if they were to marry again, it should absolutely make up for the regrets of the past—he wanted to make her the most beautiful bride and show everyone how happy she was!

Amelia mentally pictured the scene and shook her head: "I don’t have any attachment to those things—you don’t need to dwell on them either."

"That’s unacceptable. If others have it, you should too."

She didn’t want to continue the topic, especially as he persisted. This time, she chose not to respond.

Back home, the children rushed out to greet them joyfully, even the chubby Little Dunham waddling over with his whole body trembling—making him impossibly cute.

The winter sun shone warmly, brightening everything with beauty and cheer.

The family of five finally reunited in full.

Aunt Harper greeted them at the door, smiling as she said, "Welcome home, sir. Madam, the kitchen has already prepared lunch—it’s a grand feast! Today’s a special day; we should have a real celebration!"

Amelia noticed the teasing look in Aunt Harper’s eyes. Blushing, she nodded and replied, "Thank you for your hard work, Aunt Harper."

Christopher raised his gaze to her: "Didn’t you say you weren’t willing to marry me? I must say, you play the role of lady of the house rather convincingly."

Before the words had finished leaving his mouth, the woman pinched his ear, "That’s enough out of you!"

The man didn’t dodge; instead, he raised his voice to call out to their three children who were running toward the villa: "Hope, come save Dad! Mom’s bullying me!"

The three kids turned back at the sound. Amelia instantly let go and glared at him.

Too cunning!

"Mommy! Don’t bully Daddy, look how pitiful he is!"

"Hmph! Mommy’s so gentle, she wouldn’t bully Daddy—Daddy must’ve made Mommy angry again!"

"Mom, how did Daddy make you angry? I’ll help you teach him a lesson!"

Amid their excited chatter, the kids crowded back around them, clambering over Christopher and landing playful punches and tugs while shouting noisily.

"Daddy, girls are meant to be protected!"

"Exactly! Kane said boys should be gentlemanly. Do you even know what being a gentleman means?"

The children’s antics left Amelia laughing and crying. Hearing Kane’s name mentioned by her youngest, she tensed up, her gaze darting to Christopher.

To her relief, his childish side only emerged in front of her.

When dealing with the kids, at least he wasn’t as overtly stubborn.

"Alright, alright! Time for lunch!"

"Daddy, I’ll push you!"

"You can’t move him! Let me try!"

"Let’s do it together!"

Christopher covertly activated the wheelchair’s electric motor, syncing its movement to the kids’ delighted efforts to push, laughing as they headed toward the villa.

Amelia followed behind.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Still smiling, she looked down at the screen—it was a landline number.

"Hello, this is..." She had just begun speaking when whatever was said on the other side caused her smile to abruptly freeze. Her gaze shifted toward the man and the children in the distance, her expression complex and restrained.