Chapter 7
“Grace, are you really getting married”
Maurice’s voice trembled slightly
It brought me back to years ago, the day he confessed his feelings for me
for the first time
That day, he said in the same slightly trembling voice, “Grace, marrying you is my biggest wish. But don’t feel pressured, I’ll do my best to show you how serious I am I’ll wait for you no matter how long it takes
Years had passed
We didn’t end up together
Brooke’s eyes were red. “Drop the act, Grace. I won’t believe for a second that you’ll marry someone else
Samson, being the youngest among them, was more straightforward.
“You’re just an orphan who lives under our roof. Why would the Kaufman family want you? This is your new tactic to gain our attention, right? I won’t fall for it.”
Though he said this, his eyes turned red, too.
1 suddenly remembered the time when we were just kids.
We used to play house all the time.
Back then, I’d wear Maria’s dress to be the bride, and the duce wild
fight with each other to be the groom.
Samson’s eyes turned red as he cried and threw a tantrum because he couldn’t win against Brooke.
When the twins were at each other’s throats, Maurice took my hand and wanted to slip away amidst the chaos.
It was just like now.
Perhaps nothing had changed.
But everything seemed to have changed.
I lowered my head to adjust my wedding dress, avoiding their gazes.
“You may see yourselves out. For Maria’s sake, I won’t have the bodyguards drag you out,” I said.
Stunned, Maurice looked at me as if being hurt by my words.
“Cut it out, Grace. Marriage is a big deal. Have you really thought this through?”
Brooke echoed, “We’ve lived together for two entire decades, and you’ve never said yes to our proposals. Why would you marry a stranger?”
I explained calmly, “This isn’t a decision made on a whim.
“I always make my decisions after much consideration.
“I’m getting married willingly.”
In their eyes, they had been waiting for me for twenty years.
But the truth was, I had been waiting for them, too
In the past. I had always firmly believed the three and I were inseparable.
I’d marry one of them and truly become part of the family.
But now, I realized I was wrong.
Childhood sweethearts‘ bonds were actually so vulnerable; they might be destroyed at once as long as someone else appeared.
Affection in one’s youth was nothing but fleeting.
I thought they had deep feelings for me, but they didn’t. So, why should I cherish or reminisce?
you
Maurice looked at me, still feeling a bit hurt. “But, why… Why would marry Antonio? If you wanna get married, you can always come to me…”
I looked up at myself in the mirror.
There were dazzling diamonds on my white wedding dress, and it was so beautiful.
This was exactly the scene I had imagined when I was a little girl.
Looking at them, I smiled.
“Because he’s the only one who chose me firmly.”
Many years ago, Valerie had proposed a marriage alliance.
Back then, I couldn’t bear to leave my stepbrothers and still fantasized about marrying one of them, so I didn’t agree.
During these years, Antonio had met someone perfect for him.
But he still chose to wait for me firmly.
didn’t know the exact reason.
Maybe it was for Valerie’s sake, maybe it was for the family business, or maybe it was fate.
Regardless of the reason, the fact remained.
Antonio was the only one who had chosen me firmly ever since the beginning.
Samson sneered. “I knew it. You’re bitter that we favor Amanda and want
our attention.”
Brooke said helplessly, “Grace, really? Is this really necessary? No matter what, we lived together for twenty years. Amanda can never replace you, and you always have a place in our family.”
Pondering for a while, Maurice suddenly came forward and grabbed my hand.
He said, “Don’t act out of spite and ruin your whole life.
“Come back with me, I’ll talk to the Kaufman family.”
In the next second, he was kicked away.
Before I could realize what was going on, someone held me in his arms.
I smelt the familiar faint scent.
Instantly, I calmed down.
Looking up, I saw Antonio, who looked even more strikingly handsome than in the wedding photo.
“Grace is the hostess of the Kaufman family She doesn’t need your pity.
He took my hand tightly and stood in front of me.
This warm palm gave me strength slowly.
Holding his hand back, I looked at my stepbrothers.
“Did you hear that? I have a husband and my own life. My life isn’t about you, and of course, I’ll never fawn on you or wait for your pity.
“Besides, I didn’t act out of spite. I genuinely want to marry Antonio and spend the rest of my life with him,” I said.
I used to be bitter and confused; how come Amanda, who appeared not long ago in our lives, could win them over?
And now, I had the answer.
Those who truly loved you wouldn’t keep you waiting.
I waited for twenty years, yet the three never gave me any promises.
They walked away from me and our twenty–year memories for Amanda, the woman they had known for less than two months.
So, why would I cling to the past and refuse to let go?
