But the very next second, a single sentence from Theodore shattered Jesse's fantasies completely.
"Jesse's current condition makes marriage inappropriate. Since he's unwilling, this engagement is canceled."
"Uncle, I—"
Jesse froze, scrambling to speak. He'd changed his mind.
He hadn't expected Willow to look nothing like the rumors claimed—old and ugly.
Before he could finish, one look from Theodore silenced him.
In the Farley family, you didn't interrupt an elder mid-sentence.
Jesse lowered his eyes and swallowed his protest.
No matter. Once his uncle left, he'd beg Grandma again. She'd definitely let him marry Willow.
"Miss Sullivan, don't worry. This is the Farley family's fault. I'll give you an explanation."
Theodore lifted his gaze to Willow—those pitch-black eyes unreadable, without the slightest ripple.
Willow understood she had no say in this matter.
She nodded silently.
Someone like Theodore—if he said he'd give her an explanation, he wouldn't go back on his word, right?
Maybe she wouldn't have to marry into the Farley family and could still resolve Mason Group's crisis.
When they left the estate, Theodore had the butler personally escort them back to the Mason residence.
After returning, Willow felt a wave of guilt. "I'm sorry, Aunt. This is all my fault. I made you and Uncle lose face."
In their circle, her reputation was ruined now—and she'd dragged her aunt and uncle down with her, making them targets of mockery.
Thinking back on the past eight years, she felt like she'd been under some kind of spell.
At least she was clear-headed now.
She just hoped it wasn't too late.
Georgia sighed and comforted her gently. "This isn't your fault. Since Theodore said he'd give you an explanation, he probably won't go back on his word. Let's wait. It's getting late—go rest."
Willow nodded, lifted her skirt, and went upstairs.
For three days straight, there was no news from the Farley family.
Willow didn't get Theodore's explanation—but she did get a phone call from Victor.
She'd blocked all his contact information, so when his voice came through someone else's phone, she was momentarily dazed.
"Willow Sullivan, what's the meaning of this?"
She stood on the balcony, gazing at the distant sea horizon, her voice light. "What do you mean, what's the meaning?"
Victor's tone sharpened with irritation. "That night, I waited for you all night."
Just to see her in a sorry state and laugh at her—he really went to such lengths.
Her lips curved faintly. "Mr. Henson, why were you waiting for me?"
"Willow Sullivan, are you playing me?"
Her brow relaxed, and a trace of relief flickered across her face. "Victor Henson, we're even. I don't owe you anything anymore."
She didn't give him a chance to respond before hanging up.
Raising her head toward the distant mountain range, she suddenly remembered—that time after the car accident, when she was abducted from the hospital and tied up in a rundown factory deep in the mountains.
Back then, the Sullivan family had left her in the hospital. Her aunt and uncle were on a plane back to the country. Her eyes hadn't recovered yet, her vision so weak she couldn't make out faces.
At ten years old, she was too naive. Some stranger claimed they were sent by the Sullivan family to take her to the cemetery, and she believed them and followed.
She was tied up alongside an older boy, both of them waiting for their families to pay the ransom.
At first, she was full of hope—hoping her so-called family would save her. But on the second day, the kidnappers decided to kill them.
The reason was simple: the Sullivan family said they couldn't come up with the money.
To save her, that boy used his arm to block a knife meant for her. When the kidnappers weren't paying attention, he grabbed her and ran.
During those days in the mountains, cut off from the outside world, he was the one who protected her—finding her food, finding her water.
He was the one who held her hand and brought her back to Harbor City safe and sound.
She thought she'd never see him again in this lifetime—until she spotted the exact same scar on Victor's arm at the school sports meet…
A sudden knock on the door. Georgia's voice came through. "Willow, are you up? Someone from the Farley family is here. Get yourself together and come downstairs."
