Chapter 13
The next day, Marcus finally regained consciousness. The slightest movement caused excruciating pain.[]
Vivian lay beside him. Seeing him awake, her face lit up with delight.[]
“Marcus! You’re finally awake! I’ve been so worried. Does it still hurt?“[]
Seeing the concern on her face, Marcus could only feel bitter irony. He turned away, refusing to look at her or respond.[]
Noticing his reaction, Vivian’s voice took on a pitiful, tearful quality. She held Marcus’s hand, trembling as she explained.]
I
“I’m sorry, Marcus. I know you
hate me, but
had no choice. I had to say what I did.“[]
“From the beginning, I’ve always been just the Shaw family’s adopted daughter. If I had been the one at fault, Dad would surely have thrown me out. But you’re different Dad only whipped you, without saying anything else!“]
“Marcus, do you know what happened after you passed out? Dad immediately started arranging my marriage. If I really get thrown out, then we’ll never have another chance. Brother, please listen to me. Go find Emma, okay? Only if she comes back will Dad be satisfied. Then we can continue as before.”
Vivian spoke through her tears. Having doted on her for so many years, Marcus softened despite being hurt by her earlier words, especially when he heard about the arranged marriage. He couldn’t help but grip Vivian’s hand tightly.
“Even if we’re cast out and disowned, I can still take care of you. Vivian, why won’t you give me a chance? Do you know that since I was eighteen, I’ve dreamed of marrying you? I designed a wedding dress and ring for you, just waiting for the day when you could truly wear them and become my bride. Vivian, I really don’t want to be apart from you.“]
He took out his phone, showing her the designs he had carefully preserved all these years: an exquisite, adorable wedding dress and a ring worth millions. He spread these before Vivian, then the girl excitedly threw herself into his arms.
“Brother, I know, I know, but we can’t right now…”
Once she started crying, Marcus could no longer dwell on what had happened. He held her tight, comforting her, and struggled to speak.]
“Alright, I’ll do as you say. I’ll go find Emma and bring her back.”
With these words, Vivian finally stopped crying, but Ma
“But you can’t marry anyone else. Vivian, just stay by
my
continued:
without you. This is
the
greatest
I
can
make.
e.“)
“Of course! Vivian will never leave Marcus. I’ll be with you forever, even if
For the first time, she leaned in to kiss
n.[
we can’t openly be a couple
and wife, Vivian will always be by your side.”
She broke into a smile through her tears, her face filling with
Hearing the girl’s promise, Marcus’s expression finally brightened. His deep eyes gazed at the girl who had taken the initiative to press close to him. Despite his injuries, he pulled her into his embrace. Just as he was about to take control, Vivian stopped him, her face growing redder.[]
“You’re injured. Today, let Vivian take care of you.”
Marcus’s eyes darkened, and his breathing immediately grew heavy.[]
Soon, moans filled the room.
However, due to Mr. Shaw’s surveillance, they didn’t dare go too far. After a while, Vivian left, and Marcus collected himself.
He found Mr. Shaw and admitted his mistake, promising to bring Emina back. Only then did Mr. Shaw look at him with satisfaction.[]
“Marcus, you must understand that everything I do is for your benefit. Hasn’t Emma been good to you? Even when you neglected her, she never behaved inappropriately or brought shame to our Shaw family. Whenever you were sick or in need, wasn’t it always Emma who cared for you? Vivian is only our adopted daughter–she doesn’t know how to do anything. How could she possibly be with you?”
Marcus instinctively wanted to refute this but couldn’t speak.[]
He thought about Emma’s departure. Perhaps she had discovered his relationship with Vivian but hadn’t exposed them, choosing instead to leave quietly]
With complex emotions churning inside him, Marcus could only swallow his thoughts and silently agree with his father.)
