After saying this, I returned to my room. They must be even more disappointed in me now, right?
It doesn’t matter,
The next morning, I got up early. To my surprise, Mom had made breakfast herself and was waiting for me.
“Aunt Betty mentioned you got up last night looking for food. It’s my fault; I forgot to ask if you had dinner.”
I was stunned, unable to understand why Mom suddenly became so gentle and caring.
She gently tucked my loose hair behind my ear and spoke in a remorseful tone:
“Your dad and I reflected last night. Perhaps we’ve been using the wrong approach all along.
“We wanted you to grow strong and independent, so we were afraid to spoil you too much, fearing it would make you arrogant.
“If you want to make your own decisions, that’s fine. We’re not forcing you to marry into Declan’s family”
Does this mean they agree to call off the engagement?
Suddenly, a wave of sadness washed over me.
When young Willa cried and threw tantrums, all she received were scoldings. Later, she tried to be obedient and sensible, thinking she could earn their attention that way. But they just considered her weak and incapable.
Now, I just used their methods and spoke some harsh words, and they changed their minds?
D
4:23 PM
<
I still found it hard to believe even as the car arrived at Declan’s family villa.
The idea of the arranged marriage between Declan’s family and Willa’s family originally came from Declan’s grandma. It all started when I saved Declan’s grandma at a party after she fainted due to low blood sugar. After she woke up, she was very grateful and insisted on making me her adopted granddaughter. Over time, we became familiar with each other, and I often went to Declan’s family home for meals. Until one day, I met Declan there and realized that the grandma was his. She was perceptive and immediately saw that I liked Declan, which led to everything
that followed.
Now, having to personally tell her about calling off the engagement feels quite guilt–inducing. After all, she had given me the bracelet that had been passed down in Declan’s family for generations. But now, it seems I have to return it.
Declan arrived before me, with Cora by his side. They were both dressed formally. It seems like the perfect time for me to call off the engagement, so they can get engaged right away.
As I placed the bracelet on the table, Declan grabbed my wrist and asked, “What do you mean?”
Oh, right, last night I only mentioned meeting him at Declan’s family estate. I didn’t bring up the engagement cancellation.
Declan’s grandma looked at us, as if she realized something.
“Willa, did Declan do something to upset you?”
As she spoke, she gave Cora a sharp look.
I respectfully addressed Declan’s grandma, “Declan’s grandma, I want to call off my engagement to Declan.”
My tone was steady, almost as if I were discussing the weather.
Upon hearing this, Declan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Why?”
“Because yesterday you left me to save someone else. I think she’s the one you truly want to marry, isn’t she?”
I looked at Cora and noticed she was staring back at me, looking all innocent and fragile.
“No.”
A flicker of doubt crossed Declan’s eyes. “Didn’t you tell me to save Cora first…?”
“I was testing you, and now I have my answer.”
Declan was rendered speechless.
Declan’s grandma sighed, “I heard about what happened yesterday. You’re a good child; it’s Declan who isn’t worthy…”
“Grandma!”
Declan cut her off abruptly.
He gripped my wrist tightly, nearly crushing the bone.
“Willa, I won’t agree to this. Don’t even think about it!”
The injury from yesterday hadn’t healed yet, and his grip made it bleed again.
I endured the pain, finding the situation somewhat amusing.
In my past life, after Cora died, Declan mourned for seven long years.
Now that I’ve been given another chance at life, he couldn’t wait to save Cora.
I thought he was head over heels for her, eager to marry her right away.
I smirked and said, “If you insist, I’ll go to the media tomorrow and announce the engagement’s cancellation on my own. It’ll be your Declan’s
barragement
4:23 PM
<
With that, I pried open Declan’s fingers one by one, turned around, and left.
I didn’t expect Declan to chase after me.
Just then, Jasper’s motorcycle pulled up at Declan’s family gate.
Not wanting to get caught up with Declan, I simply said, “Sorry, my boyfriend’s here to pick me up.”
Declan frowned in displeasure, mocking, “Willa, are you sure you want this guy as your boyfriend? Can he really make you happy?”
“Better than being with someone as insincere and indecisive as you.”
With that, I walked toward Jasper.
The next second, my wrist was grabbed again.
“Ouch…” I let out a painful gasp.
Declan, the one responsible for my pain, finally noticed the injury on my wrist.
He panicked and tried to explain, “I–I didn’t know you were hurt.”
I lowered my eyes, a sarcastic smile on my face. “As if you would care if you did.”
”
Seeing this, Jasper couldn’t hold back any longer.
He rushed over and punched Declan to the ground, quick and precise.
Declan spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with anger, but he didn’t dare to act rashly anymore.
Jasper warned, “Stay away from her!”
Then he put his helmet on my head, revved the engine, and took me away.
The motorcycle sped through the mountains, the scenery changing rapidly..
I leaned against Jasper’s back, feeling the thrill of speed.
It seemed like this could temporarily make me forget the unpleasantness before.
“Hey, girlfriend, where are we headed?” Jasper’s voice came from the front.
I chuckled; it seemed he heard everything just now.
