Chapter 3

"I've already made preparations to return to my hometown in the south," I said quietly. "Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, I hope you can grant me this simple wish."

Ophelia's gaze looked forlorn as she turned to me. "Don't be so impulsive, Nathan. We've seen how well Rowena treats you; she just doesn't realize her own feelings yet.

"Don't be angry. Once she comes back, I'll speak up for you!

"Think about it. If she truly had no feelings for you, why would she have begged us to take you into our home back then?"

Edwin let out a helpless sigh. "The Keller family has poor morals, and they're just as scheming and ruthless in business. Sooner or later, they'll fall apart. Rowena's only been deceived by Preston. I'm sure she'll come around sooner or later."

He then added, "Besides, you haven't been back to the south in so many years. How could we possibly feel at ease letting you go back alone?"

They spoke earnestly, trying to persuade me to change my mind.

Little did they know that past-me, who followed their wishes in my previous life, ended up with misery when I married Rowena with a heart full of hope.

This time, I refused to walk the same road.

I led the two of them to Rowena's room and pointed at a large delivery box.

"These are all the gifts I've given her over the years. She never even looked at them. She just tossed them all into this box. But the stuffed toy Preston bought on a whim? She treats it like a treasure. She hugs it to sleep every night.

"It's clear as day who she truly loves.

"I really can't keep lying to myself anymore. If you can't bear to part with me... How about you take me as your godson? That way, we preserve the bond between our families, and Rowena can finally have her wish fulfilled."

Seeing that my resolve was firm, Ophelia and Edwin let out a long sigh and accepted my suggestion. They no longer tried to persuade me.

Ophelia pressed a black card into my hand, urging me to take good care of myself.

Holding her hand, I smiled through tears. "Please don't tell Rowena about this yet. I want to give her a surprise."

Back in my bedroom, I slipped the card into my wallet.

Then, I had my assistant bring out all the gifts Rowena had given me over the years.

Since I had decided to let go, these things needed to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

I had the boxes sent to the backyard, then flicked the lighter…and set everything ablaze.

As the flames rose, Preston suddenly rushed out from nowhere. He wordlessly grabbed my hand and slammed himself violently into the wall.

Before I could even react, Rowena–who arrived moments later–struck me hard across the face.

"Have you lost your mind, Nathan?! Preston only came today to thank the Atkinson family for their help!"

My cheek burned and swelled as I stared at her in shock.

Preston's eyes were red as he said innocently, "I knew you two were getting married. I wanted to congratulate you in person, but I didn't expect Nathan to hate me so much… He even attacked me…"

Rowena's expression darkened instantly as she looked at me, fury blazing in her eyes.

She snapped, "We're not even married yet, and you're already acting like the master of the Atkinson household? It seems stirring up trouble wasn't enough, and you even resorted to violence! Nathan Wilde, how did you become like this?

"And tell me: did you have someone smear the Keller family today and ruin Mr. Keller's reputation?"

I stared at her in disbelief, as if seeing her for the first time.

I explained slowly, "I don't know what you're talking about. The Keller family's affairs have nothing to do with me. I've never spoken a single ill word about Preston in front of your parents. I told you that I'd help you, and I won't go back on my word."

Rowena frowned, then noticed sharply that many of the items in the boxes were gifts she had once given me–even the photos she had taken of me. By then, half of them had already been burned.

Her expression grew uglier.

"What are you doing?" she demanded. "Are you trying to play some kind of push-and-pull game with me?"