He blinked several times, his breath choking him.
She nodded and squeezed his hand again.
He let out a breath. "Okay," said Chris, unsure of how to respond at a moment like this. "Okay."
She smiled genuinely. "Thank you."
Her smile was infectious, and he couldn't help returning it, though barely.
"Okay, then!" said David. "Chris, I will send you the documents soon, and we can discuss the details in your office, then. I'll read you the complete will, also, if you wish. For now, I'll need some signatures."
Once Lucas, Alex, Chris, and Giselle signed the papers, Chris shook hands with David and confirmed to see him in a week.
"If we're done here, I'll be heading out," Alex said, then looked at Giselle and smiled at her. "It's gonna be okay. Just stay with Chris."
She nodded slowly, returning the smile as they left. Something told Chris he was going to catch up with Ana. If he wasn't stunned by the will, he would've paid to see Alex's reaction to Ana telling him about her two daughters and a very toxic husband.
Chris didn't know how to feel. On one hand, he'd achieved a great amount of success at such an early stage, and on the other hand, this success was not his own—it was given to him.
He sighed and turned to Giselle but was instantly enveloped in her warmth. She wrapped her hands around his waist and pressed her face into his chest. He held her petite body against him and ran his fingers through her hair. They didn't have to say anything.
Giselle let go of him after a moment and looked up into his eyes. He stared down at her.
"Chris..." she whispered, her voice pained.
"I'm here." He gulped.
"Daddy is really gone."
His heart broke for her as he cupped her cheek with one hand. He'd stopped caring long ago that his actions were intimate. This was Giselle.
His Giselle.
He would comfort her in any way he saw fit.
"I will take care of you. No matter what happens."
She leaned against his touch and closed her eyes. His heart picked up its pace, and he found it increasingly hard to stay away from her.
"Giselle..." he whispered, leaning down involuntarily.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. Her breath hitched at the proximity. He stared at her. She was mere inches away.
"Chris?" she whispered.
His voice scratched against his throat as he said, "I'd give my soul to bring back the shine that your eyes once held. I'd sacrifice a thousand lives to see one spark, Elle. I'd spent every waking moment of my life to make you smile the way you used to."
Her eyes moved back and forth between his. Her chin wobbled once.
He held her face firmly. "I know you have your doubts about the future whether it holds any kind of happiness for you or not. All you see right now is darkness. I know... But I promise I'd make it beautiful. I'd smash every hurdle in your way. Any problems you face, you'll find me by your side, holding your hand. I'll always be there."
She blinked as she whispered, "Always?"
He leaned in an inch more and stared into her eyes, his heart bursting with the things he wanted to say. "Always. You're my light, Elle." She gulped. "I'll spend the rest of my life being the same for you."
She didn't say anything. Chris leaned in some more, sure that she could feel his breath on her lips but neither backed away.
He continued, "Do you know how many smiles exist on this Earth?"