Chapter 4

“But I don't want this, Chandra... I don't want to marry you... I don't want you taking Dr. Robert's place... I've never loved you—”

Before she could say another word, both hands flew to her face. Her shoulders trembled as every ounce of emotion she had been holding back poured out in a fresh wave of tears.

Chandra understood exactly how she felt.

But after seeing the hope shining so brightly in her parents' eyes, he couldn't bring himself to take back what he'd said. There wasn't enough time left. It wasn't as if they could suddenly find another man to take Robert's place.

“I've never asked you to fall in love with me, Alexa,” he said quietly. “And... I don't love you either.”

The last sentence made Alexa lower her hands immediately.

Her swollen eyes locked onto him.

“If you don't love me, then why did you agree to Dad's request?” she demanded. “That just makes you an idiot, Chandra! You're such an idiot!”

For a brief moment, Chandra was stunned.

So were Mr. Lucas and Mrs. Nancy, who instantly scolded their daughter for speaking so harshly.

A few seconds later, however, Chandra simply nodded.

“You're right, Xa. I was stupid to agree without thinking about my own feelings first.” A faint, bitter smile crossed his lips. “But I'd be even more foolish if I stood by and watched your family fall apart because of this shame.”

Silence filled the room.

Even Alexa's sobs seemed to catch in her throat as she waited for him to continue.

“This wedding is going to be attended by your family's business associates, Alexa. You told me that yourself. If it's called off now, your family's reputation will be the one paying the price. Don't let this damage your family's business or tarnish the company's image.”

He paused before speaking again.

“I've only recently started helping Dad manage our company, but I've already learned how difficult it is to protect a company's reputation. We do everything we can to make sure our competitors don't find a single weakness to exploit. If they do...” He let out a quiet breath. “It's not just the business that's at risk. It's the future of the entire family.”

Mr. Lucas nodded unconsciously.

The admiration growing inside him became impossible to hide.

I wasn't wrong about you, Chandra... Not at all.

Chandra continued after another brief silence.

“Do you really want your family's good name dragged through the mud and your company's income to suffer? It won't just affect your parents. It'll affect everyone whose livelihood depends on that company.”

His gaze softened as it settled on Alexa.

“Think about it carefully. If I'm not the one replacing Dr. Robert... then who will? You're not close to any other man besides me. Our families have known each other for years. We understand one another well. And I'm sure my parents will support the decision I've made.”

Another quiet moment passed.

This time, Chandra held her gaze without looking away.

“And one more thing... My parents got married because of me. There wasn't any love between them in the beginning. But little by little, it grew as they built a life together.” He gave her a small, reassuring smile. “You understand what I'm trying to say... don't you?”

Alexa fell silent.

Every word he had spoken echoed inside her mind.

Deep down, she knew he wasn't wrong.

Everything he said made sense.

But her pride... and the part of her heart that still belonged to Robert... refused to accept it.

“Give me some time to think,” she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don't want to make the wrong decision.”

She turned toward the door.

“You can go now.”

Without waiting for anyone to respond, Alexa hurried upstairs and shut herself inside her bedroom.

She ignored her parents calling after her.

Right now, she wanted nothing more than to cry...

...and to hear from the man who was supposed to become her husband.

No.

Perhaps she should start calling him her former fiancé.

Even so, she still couldn't bring herself to accept that reality.

[Robert, how are you?]

[I hope you won't end up going to prison, Robert. I'm sure there's still another way to solve this.]

[Please reply to this message and tell me everything will be okay. You're still going to marry me the day after tomorrow... aren't you?]

Minutes passed.

The messages remained marked with two gray check marks.

Alexa let out a defeated sigh.

Just like before.

Unread.

Unanswered.

Then, without warning...

The gray check marks turned blue.

Robert's status changed to Online.

Alexa's tear-swollen eyes lit up instantly.

A spark of hope flickered back to life.

Her fingers hurried across the screen, eager to tell him how relieved she was.

[I knew you'd read my messages, sweetheart. Please... tell me you're not going to prison and that you'll still keep your promise to marry me the day after tomorrow. You've found a way out of this... haven't you?]

Hope, however...

Was only hope.

A few seconds later, after Robert's account showed typing..., a reply finally appeared.

But it wasn't the answer Alexa had been praying for.

The strength left her body in an instant.

Her phone slipped from her trembling fingers and hit the floor with a sharp crack.

The screen remained lit, displaying the heartbreaking reply.

[I'm sorry, Alexa. This is Robert's mother. I sincerely apologize for only being able to contact you now.]

[Robert is still being held in detention. His court hearing is tomorrow, so I honestly don't believe he'll be able to marry you the day after tomorrow.]

[If you're willing to wait for Robert during his time in prison, I would be more grateful than words can ever express.]

[But if your family can't wait any longer, then I leave everything in your hands. You have every right to walk away and find someone better than Robert.]

[Once again, I'm truly sorry... and thank you for everything, Alexa. Robert was so happy to have met you. So were I and the rest of our family.]

[But we can't ask you to keep waiting. Whatever decision you make, we'll respect it. Don't worry about Robert. He'll be happy... as long as you're happy.]

Alexa slowly shook her head as tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks.

Her chest tightened until it hurt to breathe, as though invisible ropes had wrapped themselves around her heart, squeezing the life out of it.

“Why, Robert...?” she whispered brokenly. “Why did you have to break every promise you made to me...?”