Chapter 7
Mollie felt a slight twinge in her heart. She had gone to great lengths to bring Rosella back, but it came with conditions. She couldn’t continue to spoil Rosella like before. If Rosella messed with the wrong people again, no one would be able to save her.
“Let me do it myself, Mollie,” said Rosella, unaccustomed to this kind of tenderness and affection.
But Mollie didn’t let go. “Rosa, I’m sorry I haven’t visited you these years.”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
As she touched Rosella’s hair and skinny shoulder, Mollie finally asked what was really on her mind, “About Millard, do you still…”
Rosella cut her off, “No, I know I don’t deserve him. You don’t have to worry.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“I get it. I won’t cause any trouble again.”
Especially not the kind of trouble that causes someone’s death. She wouldn’t and didn’t dare make that mistake again.
Rosella added, her voice sincere yet somehow heart–wrenching, “I’ll try to meet with the man you’re fixing me up with. If he wants to marry me, that will be great. If not, I won’t stay and put you in a difficult spot.”
Leaving Rosella in the rain was way out of line. Elliot’s mother
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Chapter 7
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brought him over early in the morning to apologize, and Mollie kept her company downstairs.
Rosella had caught a bad cold. Still groggy, she was dragged out of bed to wash up and change into the clothes Mollie had prepared. The maid grumbled behind Rosella, mostly complaining that she was too thin to even match the smallest size dress. The maid had to stitch it up just to make it fit.
They were told to hurry up. In the rush, the maid pricked her several times with the needle, but Rosella bit her lip and didn’t make a sound.
Elliot’s mother, Tanya Freeman, was making Elliot apologize to Mollie. As the sound of footsteps came down the stairs, all three looked up. Rosella instinctively lowered her head, her steps slowing. Mollie went up to her, took her hand, and led her over.
“This must be Rosella, right?”
The Freeman family had only recently become prominent in Tolville and didn’t know much about Rosella’s past. At first glance, she seemed like a quiet, fragile girl, nothing like the arrogant and domineering figure those rumors painted.
Tanya stood up and reached for Rosella’s hand, but the latter stood frozen like a statue.
“It’s my fault. I’ve spoiled my boy. Elliot just likes to play pranks.” Tanya tugged at her son and urged, “Aren’t you going to apologize to Rosella?”
Elliot casually adjusted his collar and glanced at Rosella with clear disdain. His lips curled dismissively. On his left cheek was a dimple, which lent him a playful charm. “Well, I’m sorry.”
In the past, Rosella wouldn’t have even looked twice at a man like him.
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Chapter 7
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She had dreamed of marrying Millard and bearing his children. She had thought of him through countless cold nights. But all those dreams had shattered into nothing.
Facing Elliot now, Rosella forced a smile, “It’s okay.”
Elliot paused, rubbed his nose, turned his head, and stopped looking at her. His whole body screamed discomfort.
Mollie was eager to bring them together, arranging for a chauffeur to take them out for a meal.
In the car, Elliot sat on the far side, leaning his head on his hand, staring out at the passing streets. Rosella sat quietly, hands resting on her lap, head down, not saying a word.
This was a far cry from what Elliot had heard about her.
According to the rumors, Rosella was arrogant and overbearing, always craving attention, never missing a chance to show off.
But the Rosella before him was soft–spoken and quiet, like a pale jasmine flower with a faint scent and frail roots that might wither in a dark corner of the garden without ever being noticed.
They arrived at the restaurant.
Elliot ignored Rosella, got out of the car first, and went in alone. He ordered a table full of dishes without asking about her preferences or allergies.
Once the waitress took the menu and closed the private room door, he got straight to the point, “Mollie wants me to marry you. You know that, right?”
The girl’s long lashes were damp and curled, keeping the others from seeing her eyes clearly, but her vulnerability could be felt.
Chapter 7
“I know.”
“I won’t marry you.” Elliot said bluntly. He was young, wild, and unwilling to settle yet. He’d rather die than marry a woman with a tainted past. “If you’re smart, tell Mollie yourself. Don’t let her send my mom to nag in my cars.”
