Mom said, “Even though Willow is engaged, I can see you two care deeply for each other. As long as you’re faithful to one another, the Stone family will understand.”
But now, Keith and John stood on the opposite side of me, siding with a complete outsider like she actually mattered to them.
I gave a faint smile and said, “No need for the act. As long as the three of you are happy, that’s what matters most.”
Nathan burst out laughing at my words. They never imagined I could be this sharp–tongued.
Back then, Keith cared about me, and John was in love with me. I kept up the image of someone with a peaceful, perfect life.
Over time, their affection gradually shifted to Vanessa, and I kept my silence. I went along with everything, swallowing my pride and pain for years.
Back then, I thought keeping quiet would make things better. And I thought eventually, they would realize how much I had endured and feel sorry for me. But I eventually learned that silence only made things worse.
They either assumed I was too ashamed to speak up or they simply believed that what they did never really hurt me at all.
Maybe deep down they knew they were hurting me, ,but since I never said a word, they grew bolder and more convinced they had every right to do it.
Keith, furious, raised his hand to slap me. But before he could land it, Nathan kicked him square in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground, struggling to get back up.
Seeing that, the bodyguards went after Nathan without hesitation.
Just then, a long line of black cars pulled up out of nowhere. One after another, men in black suits stepped out. They were all bodyguards from the Stone family.
John looked shocked. “Aren’t those guys from the Stones? What are they doing here? Don’t tell me they’re here to talk about the
engagement.”
They immediately moved to shield Vanessa, keeping a wary eye on the group as they approached.
But the man leading the group walked straight up to Nathan. “Mr. Stone, are you alright?”
Keith, John, and Vanessa all stared in disbelief. “Wait… what? Mr. Stone?”
“I thought the Stone family’s heir was in a coma? How could it be him?” Vanessa said, not wanting to believe it.
Nathan had sharp, handsome features and carried himself with quiet, unmistakable elegance. Even in a crowd, he stood out like he was born to lead. If he had been just some ordinary guy, maybe they could’ve stomached it. But he turned out to be the legendary heir of the most powerful family in Charleston.
Vanessa glanced at John and Keith, who were standing beside her. And suddenly, the two men looked painfully average in comparison.
“I’m fine. Ms. Willow is the one who’s hurt. Call the family doctor and have him ready. We’re heading back now,” Nathan said. He gave me a slight nod, and somehow, it filled me with a sense of calm and warmth.
And just like that, I got into the car with him.
As I was about to close the door, John suddenly called out to stop me. “Willow, how can you just leave with him? Who even knows what is going on with him suddenly waking up? The Stones… they’re not as simple as they seem.”
Vanessa stomped her foot. “John, stop worrying about her! My stomach hurts!”
But for the first time, John didn’t respond to her. He just stood there, looking at me with pleading eyes.
1/2
Chapter 5
- 15 Bonus
Even Keith came running after me. “Willow, come back. Listen to me! His identity still hasn’t been confirmed. You can’t just leave with him like this!”
Vanessa’s eyes welled up with tears. She whined, “Keith, my stomach hurts. Can’t you hear me?”
They both hesitated for a moment and sigh. In the end, they chose Vanessa.
Nathan gave my shoulder a gentle shake, pulling me back to reality. He said, “Come on. Let’s go home.”
Compared to the suffocating atmosphere at the Quinn residence, the Stone residence felt almost cheerful.
The staff smiled and joked as they saw me walking in behind Nathan. “Ms. Quinn must be a lucky charm. She visited Mr. Stone once, and he woke up right after!”
“Exactly. Looks like Mr. Stone and Ms. Quinn were meant to be,” another staff member said.
Nathan’s parents were all smiles too, clearly overjoyed. Mary even took off her emerald bracelet and slipped it onto my wrist. She said it was a family heirloom, something the Stone family passed down to their daughters–in–law.
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