Please, Marry Me

I stepped back, staring at him with confusion. “Nothing’s wrong,” I answered carelessly.

He smirked. "Don’t you feel guilty?" he asked, his tone almost mocking.

I let out an awkward laugh, “Not at all.” Of course, I knew what he meant—he was circling back to my status again. Ah… I mean Helena’s damn status.

He stepped closer. His eyes, dark and predatory, locked onto mine. The air between us thickened, and I swear even the hum of the chandelier above grew silent.

'Why does it feel like the whole mood changed in an instant?'

“I’ll ask you one more time,” he raised his voice, “don’t you feel guilty for breaking the heart of your precious Oscar?!” His roar exploded right in front of my face.

My knees gave out, trembling so badly they couldn’t hold me anymore. I crouched down in front of him, my palms cold against the glossy marble floor. In a broken whisper, I said, “It’s not entirely my fault…” My tears slid down before I could stop them.

“Not your fault?” He laughed like a villain from some cruel play. He bent down, grabbed my chin roughly, and forced me to look up. “Look into my eyes!”

I tried, God I tried, but Helena’s frail body betrayed me. Her chest shuddered under his shouts and curses, and my vision blurred with the sting of shame.

“How can you say it’s not your fault? You left me for Oscar! You turned against the entire Turi family and against me!” His words cracked and desperate, his hand trembling as if he couldn’t decide whether to shake me or hold me.

Gathering the last shred of courage, I reached for his shoulder and whispered, “I want to come back.” My voice was soft, almost begging.

He laughed in my face and shoved me backward. Pain shot through my elbow as it smacked the polished floor. The reflection staring back at me was Helena’s pitiful face, streaked with tears.

'I have to change Helena’s fate. She can’t end up tragically like this.'

So I forced myself up, legs shaking, and wrapped my arms around Julian’s waist from behind. “I remember you once said you loved me. What if I tell you now—I love you too?” I bargained with him. O god, I felt desperate too.

In the book, Julian always tried to protect Helena. But Helena had been too blind to see the sincerity. It was still early, maybe he was just testing her devotion.

“So do I,” Julian whispered.

My heart leaped, a smile tugging at my lips—until he turned and flicked my forehead. “What do you want, huh?”

“I want to stay by your side,” I blurted out, hugging him tighter.

He pressed his lips against my forehead for a long, agonizing moment… before tossing a black card against it. The sting was nothing compared to his words: “Unfortunately, I’m already engaged. A married woman and a taken man can’t be together.”

It felt like thunder split the room apart. And then she appeared—a taller, curvier woman stepping out of the shadows, wrapping her arms around Julian as if she owned him.

Tears slipped down my face again.

But then it hit me. That woman—she was Nadira Turi, the one Julian never truly loved.

I burst into hysterical laughter. “Julian, you never loved her!” I accused.

Nadira’s palm cracked against my cheek. The sting made my head snap sideways.

Damn it, violence again!

My hand grabbed the nearest thing—a dipper. I swung it and smacked her back. “Don’t you dare lay a hand on me!”

Nadira collapsed into Julian’s broad chest, sobbing.

“That chest belongs to me!” I shouted, striking her again with the dipper so she would let go.

“Are you insane, Helena?!” Julian’s voice boomed, louder than before.

Ah, damn, the tears again. I wiped them away with the back of my hand and insisted, "I bet you're just acting! You loved me until the end of the book!"

“The end of the book?” His brows furrowed.

Oops. I slipped.

“I mean… the end of life’s book!” I covered quickly.

Julian’s hand shot out, gripping my throat. His eyes blazed with rage. “You’re bold, girl. Don’t you know I’m sick of you? You’ve tormented me over and over. I don’t want to drown in this insane longing anymore. Besides… Nadira has always been the most genuine.”

“Let go first!” I gasped.

“What else do you have to say?” he snapped, finally releasing my neck.

“Your words… they mean you love me. If that’s true, then I’ll divorce Oscar. I’ll marry you instead. Just break off your engagement with Nadira!”

Julian laughed bitterly. “Sounds easy when you say it, huh? But no. I won’t. I don’t wanna be the other man in your story. Crush your dream, and stay away from us.” He flicked my forehead again, merciless.

My sanity crumbled. The only way to escape Oscar’s chains was to marry Julian.

“I’ll do anything. Please… marry me. I’ll even kneel if that’s what it takes.”

“You’re insane,” Julian said, glaring down at me as I sank to my knees before him.

“Don’t listen to her, love,” Nadira cut in, her voice dripping with venom. “She only wants your money. She never loved you.”

My fists clenched tight. “Watch your mouth!” I screamed.

“Enough of your drama tonight.” Julian’s tone turned cold. “You’re the most fickle woman I’ve ever known. You shouldn’t be here, begging me. You should be home with your husband, serving him, not cheating behind his back.”

Damn it. I've been humiliated here, but I still can't get I want.

Then I blurted it out. “I’m still a virgin.”