Chapter 7

Sylvia couldn’t hold back any longer. Her hand struck Nathaniel’s face with a resounding slap.

Caught completely off guard, Nathaniel froze.

But instead of anger, his heart seemed to settle, oddly relieved.

“If hitting me makes you feel better, go ahead. I don’t mind, as long as you’re not upset.”

So loving. So disgusting.

Sylvia didn’t hesitate and slapped him again. After all, he’d invited it.

“Nathaniel, do you remember what I once told you? I can forgive anything but if you ever betray me, I’ll marry someone else.”

Nathaniel’s expression darkened instantly.

“Sylvia, what nonsense are you saying? You know I’ve always seen you as the one I’ll grow old with. I love you and only you. My feelings will never change!”

He claimed to love her the most, yet he had ended up in the hospital after fooling around with someone else.

He claimed she was the only one he loved, yet he postponed their wedding to fulfill another woman’s dying wish, leaving Sylvia with scraps.

Sylvia looked up at him, her gaze piercing, as if trying to see into the depths of his heart and understand what he was really thinking.

In the end, she just nodded, saying nothing.

“I understand.”

Nathaniel pulled her into an embrace, but Sylvia pushed him away with a flick of her hand. That was when he noticed the suitcase at her side.

The relief he had felt moments ago was gone, replaced by fresh panic.

Grabbing her arm, he asked, “Whose suitcase is that? Where are you going?”

“Oh, my mom said that since the wedding is coming up, I should go back home for a bit.”

“Really?”

Nathaniel exhaled in relief. “I get it. Some people say it’s bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding. Even though ours is postponed, it’s fine if you want to spend a few days with your family.”

“Mm.”

Sylvia smiled faintly but didn’t say anything more.

She grabbed her suitcase and started heading for the door.

Nathaniel, still reluctant to let her go, picked up her suitcase and offered, “Let me take you home.”

She gave him a wry smile. “That’s not necessary. Don’t they say men should let loose a little before the wedding? Nathaniel, maybe you need that too.”

There was a time when she had truly believed in him.

But now, all she could think was, as soon as she walked out the door, would he bring Vivian into this house the very same night?

“Do you think I’m that kind of man?” Nathaniel protested, his voice full of conviction. “Sylvia, I’d never do anything to hurt you. After you leave, I’ll keep to myself until the day we get married.”

He was still lying!

Even now, as she was about to leave, he couldn’t stop deceiving her.

Sylvia felt utterly drained. The last shred of hope she’d clung to had completely dissolved.

She lowered her head slowly, letting out a deep, weary sigh. It was the sound of someone giving up entirely.

“Fine. Take care of yourself. I’m leaving.”

Pushing him away, she walked out without looking back.

When she finally arrived at her parents’ home, they were thrilled to see her. They immediately pulled her aside, bombarding her with questions.

“You’re finally back! The Cooper family has already agreed to the wedding on the first of next month. But weren’t you supposed to marry Nathaniel that day? Why the sudden change in grooms?”

“Yes, sweetheart. Marriage isn’t something to be taken lightly. You should marry the one you love. You know we’re not the kind of parents who would force you into anything.”

Sylvia was too exhausted to respond. She didn’t want to explain and revisit the pain.

“Mom, Dad, I’m really tired. I just want to go to my room and rest.”

Seeing her so worn out, her parents exchanged a worried glance but didn’t press her further.

“Alright, then. Get some rest. Before the wedding, we’ll find some time for you to meet Bennett, okay?”

“No need. I’ll meet him on the wedding day.”

It didn’t matter anymore. She had already made up her mind to go through with the wedding—whether she met him or not was irrelevant.