She pulled out her phone and sent Atticus a message on WhatsApp.
[I already know everything. Let’s cancel the engagement.]
As expected, Atticus did not answer.
Dixie didn’t pay it any attention. She gathered her documents and returned home.
Terrence Chapman and Brianna Chapman were watching television in the living room. Seeing her return, they were startled. “It’s already late. Why did you come back?”
“Dixie, did you have a fight with Atticus?”
Terrence had a heart condition and could not handle emotional shock. Dixie had already thought out what to say. “I missed you. It just happens that I’m free these days. I’m thinking of taking you out for a trip.”
Her plan was to leave Jefferson City first and later tell them about ending the engagement.
Just before sleeping, her phone buzzed again.
[Atticus came to me twice tonight. I can’t even get out of bed anymore. So annoying.]
Dixie bit down on her lip, holding back the tears.
The boy who once looked at no one but her had eventually become someone she barely recognized.
She told herself that at least everything was already finished.
To her surprise, when she woke the next day, Atticus was seated by the bedside, gazing at her gently.
“Wife, you’re finally awake. What happened last night was my fault. I shouldn’t have left you to go to the office. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Dixie coldly laughed. “Jennifer already told me everything about the two of you. Are you still planning to lie to me?”
“You believe her words, too?” Atticus’s face remained calm. With a helpless sigh, he said, “She’s been bothering me for a long time, but I have no interest in her. Last night, there truly was an urgent meeting at the company. If you don’t believe me, look.”
He unlocked his phone and opened a video.
On the screen was a brightly lit meeting room. He sat at the head of the table, discussing matters with several company executives.
The timestamp in the upper corner of the video showed a time shortly after he had gone out the night before.
“After the meeting ended and I saw your WhatsApp message, I realized you must have misunderstood something. But your phone wouldn’t connect, so I had no choice but to call your parents.”
“Good thing you were here, or I would have been extremely worried.”
“I’m sorry, wife. I’ll take care of Jennifer. I won’t let her trouble you again.”
Dixie laughed in anger, tears nearly forming in her eyes.
It was obvious Atticus had prepared everything beforehand, even the ‘evidence.’
If she hadn’t personally seen those videos earlier, she might truly have believed him now.
She pulled out her phone and was about to unlock it when the bedroom door gently opened.
Terrence and Brianna came inside together. Seeing the anger covering her face, Terrence frowned. “Dixie, why are you still creating a scene? Atticus is occupied with his job. If something urgent happened in the middle of the night and he went to the company to manage it, that is proper business. A man should place his career first. You must look at the whole situation.”
Brianna gently advised, “Okay, Dixie, do not behave like a spoiled child. Quickly return with Atticus! He worries about you so much. He came here late at night but did not have the heart to wake you.”
When she saw the open trust and praise her parents showed toward Atticus, Dixie hesitated.
For all these years, Atticus had always been the flawless and dependable future son-in-law in their hearts.
If she revealed it now, would they trust her?
And if they believed it, would her father’s heart be able to handle it?
Suddenly, everything around her spun, and Atticus lifted Dixie into his arms.
She reacted by struggling, but he held her tightly and did not let her go.
“Dad, Mom,” Atticus spoke suddenly. “This time the mistake is mine. Dixie has suffered unfair treatment. To show my honesty, and also to make Dixie feel calm, I want to move the wedding to two weeks from now. That day is a lucky day. I hope both of you elders can accept it.”
Terrence and Brianna clearly had not expected this sudden choice, yet their shock quickly turned into happiness.
Terrence revealed a relieved smile. “You care deeply for Dixie. Naturally, we have no disagreement.”
Brianna kept nodding, her eyes a little wet. “Yes, Atticus. Leaving Dixie with you makes us feel very assured. This child, Dixie, is wonderful in every way, but sometimes she clings to things too much. Please be more patient with her.”
Atticus lowered his head and looked at Dixie, his voice so soft it almost melted. “I will. Don’t worry. In this life, I will take good care of her.”
Without difficulty, he brought Dixie away.
The car door shut, and Dixie received another WhatsApp message from Jennifer.
[You lie on the bed like a dead fish. What right do you have to cancel the engagement with Atticus? If you want to win his heart, learn it properly. Don’t use those playing-hard-to-get tricks.]
[If you really can’t learn, I don’t mind giving you a live lesson with Atticus!]
