Chapter 22 All the facade she had been holding up crumbled in an instant . His strong arms picked her up effortlessly and placed her on the bed , applying medicine to her . You dont have to be strong in front of me . If youre in pain , just say so . If youve suffered , you can tell me . Ill always stand by your side . His usually indifferent voice was now completely gentle . Katerina almost couldnt help but be immersed in it . But she instinctively reminded herself not to let go . Forever ? she asked unconsciously . He gave a firm answer . Suddenly feeling such tenderness , she instinctively pulled away . Katerina had heard many promises of forever before . No one could guarantee forever Ethan , Tony , Andrew hadnt done it , and neither had she . What she could do was love them as much as she could before any rift appeared . Joshua might have known her worries , so he took her hand and placed it over his heart . worry , my familys rules are strict . Before you even see me change my heart , I might have already been beaten to death by the elders . My family hates people who are indecisive . Unless the other partys behavior is really out of line , they would never change their hearts . His voice , resonating in his chest , was steady , but the calm heartbeat was particularly clear , proving that he was speaking the truth . Katerina was stunned . It was hard to imagine that there were still families with such strict codes in this day and age . For a moment , she thought about the rushed start of their marriage . Losing to My Substitute She had waited in the civil affairs office from night until dawn , and then from dawn until nearly sunset . Her 22nd birthday , full of expectation , ended in such a lonely way . The thought of marriage was something she had done out of a whim . But it was Joshua who took the first step , putting his coat over her , his usually calm face showing a trace of barely perceptible nervousness , yet his voice remained indifferent : Ive been observing you for a while . Can I ask , were you in a hurry to get married ? Would you consider me ? The sharp eyebrows and starry eyes suddenly appeared in front of her , lighting up the gray sky that had surrounded Katerina . She wasnt sure where the courage came from , but she nodded at him . Yes , lets get married . In the end , impulsively , she took Joshuas hand and walked into the marriage registration office , getting the marriage certificate just before the staff was about to leave for the day . That day felt like a fleeting dream , and even now , Katerina still couldnt believe it was real She blankly asked : Joshua , if that day … it wasnt me , would you still have randomly found someone else to marry ? No. He answered without hesitation , his eyes filled with love . I told you that day , Ive been watching you for a long time . Ive been waiting for you to choose me to marry . Upon hearing this , Katerina was stunned , unable to say anything for a long time . Thump , thump , thump . It was as if only their breathing and heartbeats were left in her ears , nothing else could be heard . Joshua wasnt in a hurry ; he gently and indulgently looked at her , not wanting to miss any of her reactions . After a long time , she regained her voice : Losing to My Substitute But you know , I had no other choice but to choose you that day … he stumbled over her words , her voice dry . It doesnt matter , as long as you chose me In the end , thats enough . Joshua tightly embraced Katerina , feeling her warmth and heartbeat . As long as she stayed by his side , that was enough . In a corner where she couldnt see , his eyes were filled with obsessive satisfaction . Luckily , he had still won her over . nord Katerina didnt believe in love at first sight, nor did she believe Joshua was someone who would fall in love at first sight . She was determined to get an answer . Josh , why did you wait for me to choose you ? Love at first sight ? I dont believe it . Joshua sighed and slowly released her , carrying her into the study . He pressed a button , opening a hidden room . Inside , there were many pictures of Katerina , mostly candid shots . They were like accidental snapshots taken in various places , such as street corners , tree lined roads , award stages , etc. In the ongoing romance novel "CEO's Twins Want Mommy Back" by CrushReel, Cassandra finds herself in a seemingly perfect marriage with a loving husband and adorable stepchildren. However, her troubled past looms large, raising questions about the true stability of her newfound family. As she navigates the complexities of blending her past and present, Cassandra must confront the shadows that threaten to disrupt her blissful facade. What secrets lie beneath the surface, and how will she protect her newfound happiness from the ghosts of her past? This modern tale delves into themes of redemption, family dynamics, and the intricate balance between love and secrets. The unique blend of billionaire romance and office drama adds layers of intrigue to Cassandra's journey as she strives to keep her personal life from unraveling. With a compelling narrative that intertwines sweet romance with contemporary challenges, "CEO's Twins Want Mommy Back" stands out as a must-read for fans of heartfelt stories set against the backdrop of corporate intrigue. Experience the emotional rollercoaster of Cassandra's quest for love and acceptance in this captivating novel. Available to read online at CrushReel, immerse yourself in a world where past mistakes collide with present desires, promising a gripping narrative that will leave readers yearning for more.