Chapter 1

Nelson

I let out a deep sigh as soon as I exited the airport.

I couldn’t help but give a bitter smile as I glanced around.

I thought I’d never set foot in this country again. I thought I’d spend the rest of my life abroad, far from my friends and from the family that disowned me.

But here I am, back to fulfill their demand—my grandfather’s last wish.

“Sir Nelson!"Jac greeted me warmly. He was one of the few people I trusted.

He had been my eyes and ears during the years I spent on the island. He was my constant source of updates about the lives of my former family.

Before I left abroad, I attended my grandfather’s funeral. But as usual, they treated me as an outsider.

They made it clear that I wasn’t part of their bloodline, that I had no place in the family—especially now that Grandpa, the only one who treated me like family, was gone.

I had recently learned about my grandfather’s wish. Jac had delivered the news to me.

I couldn’t help but wonder why they waited three years to tell me. What’s their reason?

“Welcome back, Sir!” Jac said again, snapping me out of my daze.

I must’ve zoned out. My mind was flooded with questions I didn’t have answers to.

“Thanks, Jac!”

I patted him on the shoulder, and his wide smile turned into a teasing grin.

“You’ve really leveled up, Sir Nelson!” he joked while grabbing my luggage. “You’ve got that glow—mature but hot!”

“Stop your nonsense!” I replied, shaking my head as I started walking.

Jac immediately followed, carrying my modest luggage.

I didn’t plan to stay long. Once I fulfilled Grandpa’s last wish, I’d leave again, returning only if necessary.

“I’m not joking, sir! You really look great. I bet you’ve caught the eye of many ladies wherever you’ve been!” he laughed, and I couldn’t help but chuckle along.

“Your mouth hasn’t changed one bit.”

“Just like yours, Sir!” he retorted.

I couldn’t help but smile at Jac’s antics.

But even though I was smiling, my heart was filled with anxiety. No matter how strong I’ve become, no matter how resilient, I couldn’t shake the worry.

I didn’t know what would happen now that I’d returned. I didn’t know where this decision would lead me.

“The question is, Sir Nelson, are you ready? Are you sure about this?”

I could only smile and bite my lip, which made Jac shake his head in disbelief.

“We’re doomed, sir! You’re not even prepared, yet you agreed to fulfill your grandfather’s wish,” he said in exasperation, opening the trunk to place my luggage inside.

I got into the car, feeling defeated, and let out a weak laugh. I kept sighing repeatedly. Jac was right—I wasn’t ready.

I didn’t even have a solid plan. I just said yes and decided to return. I had nothing concrete to hold onto.

If I survived back when I was clueless about the world that took me in for so long, I could handle this. After overcoming so many trials, I could fight back now. I knew my rights as part of their family.

They couldn’t trample me anymore. If they tried, I’d show them what I was made of—a side of me that they had created.

Jac got into the car a moment later, his face now serious.

“You can still back out, Sir Nelson. You can return abroad and continue the happy life you had there,” he said, each word firm and deliberate.

I shook my head and smiled faintly. Jac knew me too well. He already knew what I was thinking and feeling even without me saying anything. He knew I wasn’t confident in my decision.

“Back out? There’s no turning back now, Jac. I said yes. And you know I’m a man of my word. Besides, this is for Grandpa—the only person who treated me like family, not for the others who cast me aside.”

Jac nodded thoughtfully. “Fair enough. Your grandfather did love you, even though you were a bit of a rebel back then.”

I responded with a small smile as the car began to move.

“So, brace yourself, sir. I’m taking you to a place that will change your life.”

“Let’s go! You talk too much,” I replied to Jac’s teasing as I put on the purple necktie.

After over an hour, we finally arrived at the place Jac claimed would change my life—a municipal hall outside Manila.

“Good luck, Sir Nelson!” Jac called out as I stepped out of the car.

I didn’t answer. My gaze was fixed on the old building. I adjusted my necktie, feeling a sense of suffocation.

I hadn’t even entered the building yet, but I already felt like I was choking.

Questions swirled in my mind. Could I really do this? Could I sacrifice my freedom for Grandpa’s wish?

Yes, my freedom as a bachelor would end the moment I stepped into that building. But as I told Jac, there was no turning back.

Now that I was inside, my nerves were even worse. My feet felt restless.

In just a few minutes, I would be married to a woman with pink hair.

We hadn’t prepared for this wedding ourselves, so I didn’t even know her name.

I kept taking deep breaths, unable to sit still. Every second felt like my necktie was tightening.

My entire body felt cold, but my palms were sweaty. My mind and body were screaming at me to back out.

I closed my eyes for a moment and exhaled deeply. “I can’t do this! I can’t! I’m sorry, Grandpa—”

My words were cut short when I opened my eyes and saw a woman with pink hair standing in front of me. Like me, she looked like she’d just seen a ghost.

“You?!” we exclaimed in unison, pointing at each other.