Chapter 7
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The arm draped over my shoulder instantly tensed, muscles coiling as Elliot’s expression darkened–he looked ready to throw a punch.
I quickly wrapped my arms around his waist. “Don’t hit him. He’s probably hoping you’ll take a swing so he can sue you for damages.”
Elliot stiffened for a moment, then softened, gently ruffling my hair. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”
“Let’s just call the police,” I said.
Caleb stormed off, his face twisted with anger and frustration.
Before leaving, he jabbed a finger at me and shouted, “Brielle, girls like you are raised to be gold–diggers. I treated you with nothing but sincerity, and you tossed me aside like garbage! A few rich boys throw a little cash your way, and you think that’s true love? You’ll regret this one day!”
I took a shower in the primary bathroom while Elliot used the guest bath downstairs.
When he finally emerged, wrapped in my too–small bathrobe, my parents showed up at the door, arms full of home–cooked food.
They walked in at the exact moment the two of us finished our showers.
Before we could even react, my mom was already dialing Elliot’s parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Kelton rushed right over, and suddenly both families were gathered in my little villa, discussing engagement dates on the spot.
I stared at Elliot in disbelief.
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Chapter 7
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He seemed perfectly at ease, peeling tangerines, pears, and mangoes for my mom, who beamed with delight and kept praising how thoughtful he was. “Now I can rest easy knowing Brielle will be in good hands,” she
said.
I pulled Elliot aside. “Why aren’t you explaining things to them?”
Elliot glanced over at my parents. “Honestly, I think the elders have a point. We can get engaged first and let our feelings grow over time. If you really can’t stand me, we can always call it off later.”
And just like that, somehow, Elliot and I had set an engagement date.
As we were leaving, my mom let out a relieved sigh and told me, “When I thought you might marry Caleb, your dad and I figured that was just our fate. But now, with Elliot taking care of you, we can finally relax.
She even wiped away imaginary tears.
I rolled my eyes. “Mom, stop acting. Don’t worry, Caleb and I are done for good.”
She fake–wiped another nonexistent tear. “Well, who knows? You used to eat junk food like it was gourmet–who’s to say Elliot will suit your tastes?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t try to provoke me. I’ll get along with Elliot, I promise.”
She winked at Elliot, who turned away with a shy smile.
“See how sweet he is? You better treat him right!” my mom said.
The engagement ceremony was formal, but only our closest family attended.
That was Elliot’s request.
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Chapter 7
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My mom confided, “Elliot’s liked you for years. Now that he finally gets to marry you, he’s afraid you’ll change your mind. Calling off an engagement is always harder on a woman, so he convinced us not to make it too grand–for your sake.”
Her words made my heart ache.
Back then, I never wanted to admit Elliot had feelings for me, so I just ignored it.
He only went abroad after hearing I was bringing Caleb home to meet my parents and was planning to get engaged. That’s why he left.
When he agreed to our engagement without hesitation, I realized he’d never stopped caring about me.
For once, I obediently answered my mom, “Okay.”
Elliot ended up renting the villa next door, making himself my new neighbor.
The day after our engagement party, Caleb, whom I hadn’t seen in days, suddenly showed up at my door again.
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