My father chose three days for this. And now it was the third.
He said I would eventually catch one where he'd be back. So, I waited for the person. I even waited for the proposal.
Sadly, the one who finally proposed … wasn't me.
Meeting those eyes brimming with warmth, I shouted in frustration, "Are you all mute? Greet them properly!"
The courtyard guards shouted in unison, "Mr. and Mrs. Hunt."
Holding my umbrella, I turned and walked away. I could feel the probing stares on my back.
Soon, Nathaniel hurried after me.
"Girl, you've been wronged."
I pushed open the door. Marriage proposals from the past three years had piled up in every corner of the room.
"Uncle Nathaniel, among these suitors, who do you think holds the most value?”
He answered, “Given the Caldwells' standing now, an alliance is merely icing on the cake."
"Then who's the most attractive?"
Seeing Nathaniel's hesitation, I randomly pulled one out.
"Sawyer Steele."
"We could consider another option."
"Why?"
A calm voice suddenly drifted in from outside the window.
"Because he has a bad reputation. He only knows how to eat, drink and have fun. He has no idea about power struggles or business. He's a well-known Playboy."
I looked him up and down, then at the marriage contract in my hand.
"You look better than in the photo."
Nathaniel pointed at the man perched on the wall. "You bastard! How dare you climb the Caldwells' wall! Don't want your legs anymore?"
I quickly shoved the marriage contract into Nathaniel's chest. "Uncle Nathaniel, let's just go with him."
Sawyer was lying on the outer wall of my house, legs crossed.
Hearing this, he sat up straight and looked me over.
"Settle things with Mr. Hunt first. I'll bring the wedding party to marry you in seven days."
With that, he climbed down the wall.
Nathaniel took a deep breath, his face flushed with anger.
"What a useless little bastard."
"Not entirely useless. At least he's well-informed."
If even a so-called useless man knew of my situation with Julian, then he wasn't useless at all.
That evening, I went out.
Julian was waiting at the pavilion. He sat opposite me, dismissing all the servants with a single glance.
I sipped my tea and glanced at the finance book in my hand as I asked casually, "Is the baby in her belly yours?"
He remained silent, peeling a pistachio for me instead.
"Miss, oh, Mr. Hunt is here too. Excuse me. Miss, these are the documents that were sent over."
The bodyguard placed the papers on the table without hesitation.
On top was a photo of the girl Julian had brought home today.
I leaned back and lit a cigarette. He, however, couldn’t sit still.
"I'm the one who wronged you. Her appearance made me crave a peaceful life. She can wait for me, but the child in her womb can't. I want to give them legitimate status, not let them be born with the stigma of illegitimacy."
"If you wanted peace, you shouldn't have crossed me in the first place."
Julian pulled a string of ancient coins from his inner pocket.
"Your favorite from three years ago. After all these years traveling far and wide, I finally gathered them all."
He held my hand, his gaze intense.
"You think a bracelet will make me let it go? Have you only known me for a day?"
Without a moment of hesitation, Julian knelt before me.
"I'm sorry."
"Consider this life of mine yours. Can you spare her?"
I stood up with a smile, took one last drag of my cigarette. Unfortunately, I couldn't find an ashtray.
At that time, Julian helplessly raised his hands. His eyes were dark.
Then, I crushed the cigarette butt into his palm.
"Then die now."
That man stared at me in shock.
