Chapter 7

Evelyn’s heart ached, a sharp, stinging pain that made her nose tingle. Bringing Vanessa back this time was something she’d insisted on, but it came with conditions. She couldn’t indulge Vanessa anymore, couldn’t spoil her rotten again. If she offended the wrong people, no one would be able to save her.

“Fan Aunt, I can do it myself.” Vanessa wasn’t used to such tenderness and affection.

Evelyn didn’t let go. “Vanessa, I was wrong these past few years. I didn’t come to see you.”

“…I understand.”

Stroking her hair and thin, bony shoulders, Evelyn asked what was truly on her mind, “About Julian, do you still…”

Before she could finish, Vanessa shook her head. “I don’t. I know my place. Don’t worry.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“I know. I won’t cause any more trouble.”

Especially not the kind of big trouble that gets people killed. She wouldn’t, couldn’t, make that mistake again.

The more sincere Vanessa was, the more heartbreaking her smile became. “I’ll find a way to introduce my man to you… If we can get married, that’s the best, but if not, I won’t stay and make things difficult for you.”

Leaving Vanessa in the rain was too much. Bart’s mother brought him over early in the morning to apologize in person. Evelyn stayed downstairs to entertain them.

Vanessa had caught a bad cold and was dragged out of her hazy sleep to wash up and change into the clothes Evelyn had prepared. The housekeeper grumbled a couple of times, mainly complaining about how thin she’d become. Even the smallest-sized dress didn’t hug her waist. It had to be taken in with a few stitches before it even fit.

She was hurried downstairs. The housekeeper had been rushing, and pricked her with the needle several times. Vanessa bit her lip, not making a sound.

Downstairs, Bart's mother was pulling Bart along, apologizing to Evelyn. The sound of footsteps drifted down, and the three of them looked up. Surrounded by several pairs of eyes, Vanessa lowered her head self-consciously, slowing her pace. Evelyn went forward, took her hand, and led her over.

“This must be Vanessa?”

The Cole family had only recently risen to prominence in M City and didn’t know much about Vanessa’s past. Looking at her now, she was just a thin, quiet girl. There wasn't a trace of the arrogant and domineering woman everyone described.

Bart's mother stood up, reaching for Vanessa’s hand, but she stood still, like a statue.

“It’s all my fault for not raising my child properly. Bart is just like this, always joking around.” Bart's mother gave Bart a tug, urging him, “Aren’t you going to get up and apologize to Vanessa?”

Bart casually straightened his collar, glanced at Vanessa, and sneered dismissively. He had a dimple on his left cheek, adding to his unrestrained air. “Sorry.”

In the past, Vanessa would never have even looked twice at a man like this.

She had dreamed countless times of marrying Julian, becoming his bride, bearing his children, thinking of him through so many cold and windy nights, but it had all ended in nothing.

Facing Bart standing in front of her, Vanessa forced a weak smile. “It’s okay.”

Bart paused slightly, rubbed his nose, and turned his face away, no longer looking at her. His whole body radiated awkwardness.

Evelyn did her best to bring them together, sending them to dinner alone with the driver.

On the way, Bart sat on the other side, propping his face up with his hand, watching the street scenes outside. Vanessa sat next to him, well-behaved, with her hands placed on her lap, silently looking down.

This was completely different from the Vanessa he’d heard about.

The people he’d talked to described Vanessa as willful and arrogant, someone who always tried to attract attention, loud and obnoxious, relying on her family’s power and influence to steal the spotlight in every situation.

But the Vanessa in front of him was quiet and reserved, like a frail white jasmine with a light, subtle fragrance. Even the color of its stem was dull. If it were buried in the corner of a flowerbed, it might wither away without anyone noticing.

They arrived at the restaurant.

Ignoring Vanessa, Bart got out of the car and went inside, ordering a lot of food for himself without asking her preferences or dietary restrictions.

After the waiter took the menu and closed the door to the private room, he cut to the chase. "Fan Aunt wants me to marry you. You know that, right?"

The woman's long eyelashes looked wet, curled, and drooping, hiding her eyes, only revealing her timidity.

“…I know.”

“I won’t marry you.” Bart was young, at the age when he was most eager to play. Asking him to marry a woman with a tarnished reputation was worse than death. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll make it clear to Fan Aunt as soon as possible, so she doesn’t have my mom bothering me.”