Chapter3
“…I will.”
Martin couldn’t quite put into words what he felt in that moment–only that his heart was pounding so hard
it felt like each beat threatening to burst free from his chest.
He quickly buried the emotions that had no place on the face of an “uncle,” then gently brushed his hand
through her rain–soaked hair.
“No matter what happens, whatever you ask–I’ll say yes.”
The tension in her chest began to ease, like a drowning soul finally catching hold of a floating branch.
Eveline wiped away her tears and managed a faint smile in Martin’s arms.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “Really, thank you.”
After a pause, she added, “I know this isn’t fair to you. Don’t worry–we don’t have to get a marriage license. If you ever meet someone you truly love, I’ll step away. I promise I won’t make things difficult.”
“All I want… is to keep this from Grandpa for now.”
“It’s alright,” Martin cut in gently.
His chest tightened at her words, but he gave no sign of it. Instead, he shifted the conversation, his gaze falling to the injury on her palm.
Eveline instinctively tried to hide it, but he had already noticed.
With a quiet sigh, he said, “I’ll go get some medicine. Wait in the car for me.”
And with that, he turned and walked into the rain.
Eveline obediently got into the car. But the moment she sat down, her eyes stung again.
Since her parents had passed away, she had shouldered the family company alone, inherited the rescue team, cared for her ailing grandfather, and juggled her schoolwork–all while hiding every wound, physical
or otherwise.
She used to think she was good at hiding.
But now she realized…
Adrian had simply never cared.
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It was just as well.
In three days, they would no longer have to torment each other.
Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She assumed it was Martin, but to her surprise, the message was from Adrian.
“Eveline, did you make it home? Is your leg hurting? Should I send a massage therapist over?”
Something stirred faintly in her chest. But as she opened the next message, all she could do was let out a
bitter, self–mocking smile before exiting the chat altogether.
Adrian had sent her a photo of a boxed lunch, along with a crying–face emoji.
“The lunch they ordered at work is terrible. I really miss your cooking.”
The photo showed a cluttered desk, scattered papers, nothing unusual at first glance.
But Adrian had forgotten–he’d sent this exact same photo to her two weeks ago.
Back then, she had been worried sick.
It was late at night, but she had rushed to cook and deliver a hot meal to his office.
Only to find out from his coworkers that Adrian hadn’t even shown up to work that day.
He told her he’d been in meetings with another company the entire time.
Now she realized…
He had probably been with Maria.
Almost as if to confirm her suspicion, her phone suddenly lit up with a push notification from Maria’s
social media.
“Two people and one dog. Our little family of three~”
The caption was overly affectionate, paired with a blurry photo.
In the picture was a white Samoyed, and behind it, just barely visible, was a man’s silhouette.
The comment section was filled with speculation about the “family of three.” Eveline was about to exit when one comment caught her eye.
“Muffin really is Maria’s royal little prince! That emerald on his collar looks like a real antique–I’d give
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anything to trade places!”
Emerald?
Eveline’s heart skipped. She tapped the image open and enlarged it.
The moment she saw the familiar pendant, it felt like the floor dropped out from under her–her
composure shattered in an instant.
Tears streamed down her face.
Adrian could disregard everything about her.
He could trample her dignity.
But that pendant…
But that emerald pendant had been one of a matching pair–something her grandfather had gone to great
lengths to acquire when he was still in good health.
He had once told her the emerald would bring peace and protection. If she ever fell in love, she should
give it to that person–and he too would be safe and well.
She had told Adrian the full story when she gave it to him.
But he hadn’t cared.
He’d given it to another woman–who hung it on a dog’s collar.
What did that make Eveline?
Was she just another dog to him?
Eveline clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her wounded palm.
Fresh blood seeped from the reopened wound, but she didn’t stop.
She wanted it to hurt–badly. She needed to remember this moment.
“Eveline? What’s wrong?”
Martin’s voice brought her back.
She swallowed down the sobs and forced a smile, brushing the topic aside.
“Martin, would you come with me the night after tomorrow–after work–to try on wedding dresses?”
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“I want to pick one I really like. I want Grandpa to remember me… at my happiest.”
Martin nodded without hesitation.
After cleaning and dressing her wound, he drove her home.
The house was completely dark. Adrian wasn’t there.
He often stayed out for days, but now that she knew the truth, what had once been familiar suddenly felt
bitter.
Eveline refused to let herself spiral. She turned to Martin.
“Could you wait just a moment? I want to pack a few things.”
There was no point pretending anymore. At the rate things were going, she and Adrian would never see each other again.
With that in mind, she headed upstairs.
She was halfway through packing when she heard quick, heavy footsteps coming from the stairwell.
Confused, she turned and saw Adrian hurrying toward her.
Chapter3
