Spencer turned around, his face dark with anger.
"Nanette, I told you—our engagement is off."
"In three days, I'll be marrying into the Fox family."
Nanette let out a cold laugh. "Spencer, you really think just because you're not marrying me, Grace will agree to marry you instead—"
"I will."
My voice wasn't loud, but it left Nanette staring at me in stunned silence.
I didn't rush to explain. Instead, I continued addressing Spencer. "The Fox family is willing to form an alliance with the Gilberts through marriage."
"But since Miss Dickerson is unwell, I imagine you're in no mood to plan a wedding. So let me handle it."
"Three days from now, just come to the Fox residence for the ceremony. We can file the marriage certificate afterward."
Spencer looked pleasantly surprised, an instinctive smile crossing his face. "Grace, you've always been so sweet and understanding."
I raised a hand to stop him.
"But I have one condition."
"I witnessed everything that happened today. The facts are exactly as Nanette described."
"So have your Miss Dickerson apologize to her."
Abigail protested, unwilling to concede. "Spencer, she's slandering me—"
Spencer's brow furrowed, his voice turning cold.
"Grace, and here I thought you were reasonable. Turns out you're just as bad as Nanette!"
I gave a bitter, self-mocking smile.
"Spencer, the three of us grew up together. We know each other better than anyone."
"Why won't you ever believe me and Nanette?"
Spencer scoffed dismissively.
"Because I know what kind of person Abigail is!"
"Every time we go cycling, she makes a point of visiting the elderly and the children left behind in those areas, buying them food and clothes."
"Someone that kind-hearted would never frame Nanette!"
"The way I see it, you two are just jealous and ganging up on her!"
"If my family wasn't forcing my hand, I'd never even consider either of you!"
The disappointment I felt mirrored Nanette's.
I shook my head helplessly. "So you don't actually want to marry either of us, is that it?"
Spencer answered without hesitation. "That's right. You should count yourself lucky I'm willing to marry you at all."
"Don't expect anything more."
"Behave yourself, and you'll always be Mrs. Gilbert."
"Step out of line, and don't blame me for what happens."
Nanette was seething, but I stopped her before she could say anything.
I kept my voice calm. "Fine. I understand."
"I'll have the wedding ready. Don't be late."
As we turned to leave the hospital room, Nanette grabbed my arm. "Have you lost your mind?"
"I came here to kill my feelings for him—what are you doing jumping in?!"
"Wasn't one lifetime of suffering enough? You're actually going to marry him?!"
I closed the door behind us before answering.
"Relax. I said the families could form an alliance."
"I never said I'd be the one walking down the aisle..."
Before Nanette could press further, two men appeared at the end of the hallway—our fathers—and each grabbed one of us, practically dragging us out of the hospital.
Nanette spotted the man beside me and blinked in surprise. "Uncle Chad Fox? What are you doing here?"
I smiled. "You're allowed to call your dad for backup, but I'm not?"
But neither of our fathers was in any mood for jokes.
Their faces were equally thunderous.
Uncle Maurice James was shaking with rage. "Nanette, you called me here just to watch you get humiliated and dumped?"
Nanette scratched her head awkwardly.
"No, I was worried Spencer might try to settle the score with me. I knew I couldn't take him in a fight, so I called you for backup."
I quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Uncle Maurice, it's actually a good thing you came."
"At least now you know what kind of person Spencer really is. You'll know to watch out for him in business."
