Laurence’s finger pressed against Noelle’s lips, stopping any words of refusal.

With his gentle eyes, he said tenderly, “Nothing else matters so long as we love each other. Noelle, say you’ll be mine. I promise to only love you like Ben loves Mom. It’s just you and only you in this lifetime.

“Don’t worry about the Longbottoms getting in the way. They have no right to dictate what I do. Marriage is my own, and I want to be with the one I want. No one can stop us from being together,” Laurence