Chapter - 6064

At that moment, Charlie was unsure whether he was simply unresponsive or unwilling to respond.

Stefanie kissed him with soft, sweet lips, almost as if a spell had been cast upon him, leaving him feeling paralyzed.

After some time, he noticed Stefanie's breathing quickening, and it became increasingly challenging for him to suppress his rising urges.

Though he hated to admit it, the tension between them swirled in their hearts, filling the room with a suggestive atmosphere.

Charlie suddenly found himself engulfed in confusion.

He had always viewed Stefanie as a sister and had never entertained any inappropriate thoughts. After all those years, his little sister had matured into a stunning young woman who not only shone brightly but also seemed indifferent to him.

Now, she was the one initiating a kiss, a kiss that contained an undeniable heat.

This sensation repulsed him mentally, yet physically, he felt ensnared in an inescapable trap.

As he wrestled with his thoughts, he found himself disappointed in his own weakness, realizing that his resolve was not as steadfast as he believed.

This feeling reminded him of thinking he had no vulnerabilities, only to discover he had them all along.

As the sense of confusion deepened, he gently pulled away from Stefanie's kiss and whispered, "Stefanie, if anyone sees us, it could ruin your reputation."

Stefanie gazed at him defiantly and retorted, "Why should I care?"

Charlie responded helplessly, "You should care; it's important!"

"No, I couldn’t care less!" Stefanie replied emphatically as she rose to meet him again. Anticipating his retreat, she wrapped her arms around his waist, kissing him once more.

As their lips met, she murmured, "Charlie, I can accept Tawanna kissing you because I know she loves you, but don’t forget, I love you too—it’s been over 20 years..."

With that, she gathered her courage, her eyes brimming and her voice soft, "Charlie, I know you promised my parents that three-year agreement was just a stall tactic. I understand your situation and respect your struggles. I’m not demanding marriage; even if I never marry, I want to bear your child. You’ll be in Eastcliff for several days—just say yes."

Charlie quickly shook his head, "Stefanie, it’s not that simple! I told you I needed time before; why are we bringing this up now?"

Stefanie responded with a hint of sadness, "Didn’t I see Tawanna kiss you? If she has the courage to do that, then mine should be greater. How long has she loved you compared to me? If she can kiss you, then I can give myself to you!"

She then gently wiped her tears and said earnestly, "All you have to do is nod, and I’ll follow you tonight, or you can come home with me!"

Charlie could only soothe her, "Stefanie, this really isn't the right time for this conversation. Don't forget, I'm a married man. If I were to be with you and you had my child, then what does that make me? An adulterer with an illegitimate child? I wouldn't be able to hold my head high, let alone you."

Tears streamed down Stefanie's face as she sobbed, "I just want to give myself to you. I'm no longer a child, and I’ve waited for you. Do you know how chaotic the entertainment world is? Those people don't care about such matters. Just look at Tawanna; her romantic history is like an encyclopedia, yet she revels in every relationship. Every woman wants to be cherished and to have all the joys that love brings. I want that too!"

Seeing her cry, Charlie panicked, wiping her tears and speaking gently, "Why are you crying? We can work through many things at our own pace, and you have your own matters to sort out. Don't be swayed by Tawanna. You are not living in the same realm as her."

Stefanie’s mood had calmed somewhat, but she fired back, "She’s loved many people, and at least she's experienced love. I love you, yet I’ve never truly had you."

Charlie felt at a loss for words. Discussing this subject was making him uncomfortable.

He had a wife and multiple confidantes, but whom had he truly experienced love with?

He sensed a disconnect with Claire, and over time, he had lost the initiative to pursue anything deeper.

Yet, he considered himself traditional, having been raised by a gentleman father who set a moral example, and he had no intention of engaging in affairs.

Reflecting on it, Charlie realized he and Stefanie shared a kind of dilemma: both adhered to their principles for the ones they loved while struggling with the inability to love freely.

Stefanie, initially a mix of playful and frustrated, suddenly grasped a serious truth as she gazed at Charlie's solemn and melancholic expression.

"Could it be that my beloved brother Charlie and his wife Claire have never shared a true physical relationship?"

"I believe that's the case!"

"Otherwise, how could they have been married for so long without having children?"

Furthermore, observing Charlie’s unspoken demeanor solidified her suspicion.

In that moment, her own grievances faded, replaced by a deep sympathy for Charlie.

She wanted to embrace him and sincerely whisper in his ear, "I’m willing to offer myself to you when that woman doesn’t want to give herself to you; I’m willing to give you a child when she won’t."

But she knew it wasn’t appropriate to express these thoughts now. Doing so would only expose Charlie’s wounds and cast her further as a mistress.

Yet, the more she considered this, the more her feelings of grievance swelled, with no outlet.

"Really, I’m the one being interrupted."

"I’ve been determined to be Charlie’s wife since childhood, and I even have the matchmaker's approval from both sides."

"If it weren't for the events of the past, I would have probably married Charlie long ago and had several children by now."

"Then how could Claire even be his wife?"

"Claire..."

"If you treat Charlie kindly, I can accept that too, but you don’t realize how fortunate you are. You’ve been married to him for years and won’t fully commit. What’s that about? Do you think Charlie is unworthy of you? If that’s how you feel, why don’t you just divorce him and put an end to this superficial marriage?"

Stefanie felt even more aggrieved.

She had never expected that Lily would staunchly defend her daughter-in-law.

Meanwhile, Stephen Thompson had already boarded the return freighter and was steadily approaching China.

Lily was always decisive in her actions. She had instructed Stephen to meet Claire in secret, and upon their arrival in China, it was finally time to resolve the unusual marriage situation between Claire and Charlie completely!