Chapter 1
Paulette Davenport went to her stepfather Nelson Chapman’s birthday party with her gift.
Just as she reached the door, she heard a voice from inside. It was Matthew McKenzie, Nelson’s friend. “Nelson, now that Patricia’s back, you’re gonna marry her soon, right? What about Paulette? Everyone. knows she has feelings for you.”
The dim light and the frosted glass made Nelson’s expression vague.
Then his cold voice sounded inside. “She’s too young to understand what love is. Why take her words seriously?”
“She may be young, but she’s had a crush on you for years. You really don’t feel anything for her?” Matthew wondered.
Paulette held her breath–she wanted to know the answer more than
anyone.
Lounging on the sofa, Nelson exuded the charm of a mature man.
After a slight pause, he said, his voice deep and icy, “Again, she’s too young. She doesn’t know what she’s doing. Don’t joke about this again. For me, she’s just my stepdaughter. I’ll never have feelings for her.”
His last sentence shattered Paulette’s heart like a blade.
Oblivious to her presence, Matthew said half–jokingly, “Yeah, yeah. We know. Patricia means the world to you. After all,
Paulette is nothing compared to her.”
She’s your first love.
Nelson nodded. “Don’t bring up Paulette after Patricia gets here. I don’t
J
want her to get the wrong idea.
“We don’t have to, OK?”
Η
Matthew sighed meaningfully, “You know Patricia. She can’t stand seeing you close to another woman.”
“Yeah,” one of their friends chimed in with a grin. “Nelson, she’s what, twenty now? She’s like the younger version of her mom. Why bother being with another woman? She’s so into you, and I bet being your bride would be a dream come true for her…
Nelson silenced him with a cold stare.
“Stop disgusting me. I’m her stepfather, and I always will be.”
The room fell silent.
Paulette’s grip on the doorknob tightened, her lungs suddenly struggling
for air.
She had never imagined that her feelings actually disgusted him…
For a second, she wanted to barge in. But now, her strength seemed to have drained away, and she couldn’t manage to say a word.
Lowering her head, she forced back her tears and turned away.
After taking a deep breath, she took out her phone and dialed a number.
“Jeremiah? I agree with your suggestion. Let’s get married.”
Jeremiah Swanson, five years older, was her childhood neighbor and friend. Later, he had gone abroad after high school and only returned recently.
He now settled in Crireton and only made time to visit Paulette once.
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Chyler 1
While chatting with her, he kept complaining about his family hounding him to marry.
“Paulette, I bet we’ll both end up being forced into an arranged marriage. Our families don’t care if we’re happy–just that we’re settled.
“Since marriage is a must, why not choose someone we’re comfortable with? Hey, you know what? You should just marry me.‘
Paulette had burst out laughing, finding it ridiculous.
But now, it seemed like a great idea.
She turned and gazed back at the building where neon lights cast colorful glows, as her feelings for Nelson.
vas
She added, “We grew up together and know each other well. It’s better than marrying some stranger, right? If your parents are pressuring you, we
do it soon.”
can
Surprised by her words, Jeremiah paused for a few seconds. Then he said, his voice hoarse, “Alright. When do you want me to pick you up?”
Paulette lowered her head,
bag on the ground. “Soon and her gaze happened to fall upon the o
After I sort out m
internship.”
Now that she had decided to marry Jeremiah, there was no need for her to intern in Fromond.
After hanging up, she walked for a long time before finally hailing a cab and going back to Emberglade Villa.
