I didn’t understand why Martin, despite clearly doubting me, had still agreed to this marriage
alliance.
But since he hadn’t refused, it could only mean one thing–he needed me.
Or rather, he needed the Sinclair family.
With that thought, I looked at him seriously and said, “I can’t tell you the full reason yet, but you’ll know soon enough. What I can promise is this–I will never, under any circumstance, go back tc Easton or the other three. That part of my life is over.”
‘It was my mistake to trust the wrong people back then and to push you away. I only ask that you give me a chance to prove that I’m serious about marrying you.”
Taking a deep breath, I continued, “Tomorrow is our engagement ceremony. Soon, we’ll officially ›e fiancés. I hope that today, we can lay everything bare, so that starting tomorrow, we can le our actions speak for us. Is that alright?”
had said everything I could.
All I could rely on now was my sincerity.
Martin’s gaze lingered on me, filled with emotions too complicated for me to read. But in the end le nodded.
I’ll believe you. I hope everything you said is true. Tomorrow’s engagement ceremony will be our last chance.”
Vhat he didn’t say aloud was clear in his eyes. ‘After tomorrow, even if you regret it, I won’t le
ou go.‘
thought he merely intended to test me during the engagement. So I nodded firmly, patting my
hest in reassurance.
Don’t worry. Nothing will go wrong tomorrow.”
t my words, a faint smile finally curved his lips.
Inder his watchful gaze, I stepped inside the house.
The next morning, dressed in formal attire, I followed my parents to the engagement ceremony.
Because the Sinclair family had little presence in France, and because of the Lovato, Wright, Ramirez, and Lopez hostile stance, very few relatives from America came,
The ceremony hall was filled mostly with Addams family guests.
Before stepping out, my mother’s eyes reddened. She held my hand tightly.
Debbie, it isn’t too late to change your mind. If you regret this, just say the word. Your Dad and I vill support you. As for moving the company overseas, we can take our time. Nothing is more mportant than your happiness.”
My father silently nodded beside her, his eyes echoing the same sentiment.
knew every word they spoke came from the deepest sincerity of their hearts.
And precisely because of that, I couldn’t falter now.
Chapter 11
2/3 46.4%
3:24 pm
D
They had already worried and sacrificed so much for me. All I had to do was marry one man- that wasn’t too much to bear. It was time for me to shoulder my own responsibility.
Besides, Martin’s attitude yesterday had been unexpectedly good. Maybe our marriage wouldn’t be filled with love, but at least we could respect one another.
So I smiled and reassured them. “Don’t worry, Mom, Dad. I haven’t regretted my choice. I’ll do my best with Martin. As long as you’re by my side, I have nothing to fear.”
My parents exchanged a look, their eyes glistened with tears at my words. They knew I was willing to sacrifice my own happiness for them, and that thought pained them deeply.
“Don’t be afraid, Debbie,” my father said softly. “Think of it as the beginning of a new chapter Whether that chapter brings happiness or not, your Mom and I will always be here. The Sinclair family will always be your safety net.”
I looked at their earnest faces, their reddened eyes, and nodded with a bright smile.
Then, straightening my posture, I stepped toward the doors.
On the other side lay the start of my new life.
Meanwhile, Easton and the others had spent the night keeping Charlie company.
By the time they returned home in the morning, they collapsed into bed, planning to deal with yesterday’s matters after some rest.
But barely two hours later, Charlie called them again and again, sobbing into the phone until they
had no choice but to rush to the hospital.
When they arrived, the four men ran into one another at the entrance. It was then they realized- Charlie had summoned all of them, not just one.
Their expressions instantly darkened, but with the possibility of something serious happening,
hey swallowed their irritation and went inside together.
The moment they entered, Charlie burst into tears.
‘Easton, Connor, Kenji, Hayden–what am I supposed to do? Because of what happened yesterday, the Su family announced they’re moving abroad, and they used that as an excuse to ire my mother!”
Her voice cracked as she sobbed harder.
‘I know I was wrong yesterday. I just wanted to give you freedom, but I ended up angering Miss Sinclair. She can take her anger out on me, but why my mother?”
‘My mom has worked for the Sinclair family for over ten years. Now she’s been dismissed–she says she doesn’t even know how she’ll survive. If anything happens to her… I don’t think I’ll be able to go on either…”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked pitifully at the four men.
On hearing her words, Easton’s face hardened instantly.
He suddenly recalled the words the Sinclair family butler had said when returning their engagement tokens. “Miss Sinclair has chosen her fiancé. If you wish to give her your blessings, you may attend her engagement ceremony.”
3:24 pm D
At that time, Easton had brushed it off, assuming it was just another ploy to make them jealous, a way to force them to take her seriously.
Because of that–and distracted by Charlie last night–he hadn’t bothered to investigate.
But now, Charlie’s tearful revelation struck him like a bolt of lightning.
Not only Easton, but the other three men exchanged uneasy, stunned glances.
The hospital room fell into a heavy silence.
Charlie, misinterpreting their expressions as anger on her behalf, secretly felt pleased.
But as the silence stretched on without a word from them, her brow furrowed, and a flicker of gloom flashed in her eyes.
