Chapter # 3

…Your life with me is my deepest treasure…

Evelyn POV:-

"I would like to ask for your Son Lawrence's hand in marriage for my Daughter Evelyn." 

Uncle's eyes widened as I shut my eyes more tightly and let out a silent tear, forcing out a trembling smile to pretend it’s okay.

"You don't have to marry me, Evelyn," Lawrence said. My father's statement surprised everyone.

"Yeah, Evelyn, You are like my daughter. You don't have to. I don't want to force you." I sniffed as I wiped my tears.

"It's alright. I am not that heartless." I stood up and gave a cold look to Adrian who stood there absolutely stunned,   staring dead into his eyes with this sentence.

"If I have to swallow my eternal feelings to save you..." 

I then looked at Uncle and smiled.

"I'll gladly do it." 

My answer shocked everyone in the room. No one expects me to say something like that.

"Evelyn..." Uncle began to say.

"How can I ever thank you," Uncle said wiping his tears.

"I am your daughter. How can I call myself your daughter if I can't do that much for you." I smiled sadly.

Uncle kissed my forehead. I wiped my tears as my Aunt And Mother left the room to get me ready for my marriage to the brother of my childhood love...

I don't know what I have done is right or wrong but, I know for sure that I couldn't let my father beg me and my uncle to die like that. 

As for my feelings, Adrian already broke them. I don't think mine and Lawrence's marriage might work but, there's nothing I can do about it.

I shiver at the thought. 

"Sister in the law of my lifetime love"

My heart began to beat at an abnormal pace as I lost myself. I accepted my defeat against those cruel and merciless games of fate. I lost.

With crushed dreams and a heavy heart, I agreed to marry the elder brother of the person who stole my heart years ago...

Adrian POV:-

"If I have to swallow my eternal feelings just to save you” 

‘Please, No. I beg you, Evelyn. Take your words back. Please.’

“I'll gladly do it," Evelyn said. 

When I heard those words, I felt like an arrow had pierced my heart. Like I am crumbling slowly. My mind went blank. 

I couldn't comprehend what's happening around me. I never liked Evelyn so what is this feeling of heartbreak?

I can’t even stand in the room, so I walked out, ignoring the weird looks everyone gave me.  

I know Evelyn loves me, Evelyn knows she loves me. 

‘Then how come she could marry my brother!?’

And now she is soon to be the bride of my brother. How awkward this situation could get. I just know that it's my fault.

If I accepted her feelings at that time, this wouldn't happen. But I couldn't accept her feelings, she was like a family to me and I seriously don't think that my father would allow me to date the daughter of his dearest brother. 

And to be honest, I never thought about her from that perspective until she confessed.

“Dammit!” 

And everything was blank after she confessed, from my feelings to thoughts, all of them changed.

Keeping these thoughts in my mind, I reject her. I neglected her feelings and broke her heart miserably-even though I don't want to. 

“You can’t do this…” I whispered, shutting my eyes.

Ever since I broke her heart I felt guilty about it. I began to feel things about her I wasn't supposed to feel.

But now, there is nothing between us and she is nothing but my Sister-In-Law. 

Even if my heart stabs to say that but it's all my fault and I vow to myself I would never think about my future Sister-In-Law like that.

....I ruined everything just by my stupidity...

Lawrence POV:-

I was stiff when Evelyn agreed to marry me. Why is she destroying her life just to save our lost respect? 

“This has to be a sick joke.” I scowled, kicking the table, breaking its mirror when me and Father were left alone.

“Goddammit!” I cursed, kicking it again until it shattered, losing my mind in utter rage.

I felt like I was responsible for what happened. I have devastated not one but two lives. I can see that Evelyn doesn't even want to marry me yet still she agreed just for us.

“Are you happy now?” I growled at my Father who looked down in shame, loosening my tie, cursing under my breath.

“Brother, calm down.” Adrian also entered, trying to soothe me.

“Breaking things won’t help you.” He whispered, motioning to me to calm down.

“How could this happen, Adrian? I agreed to marry Emerald, I was ready to do everything but what is Evenlyn’s fault in this? What does she have to do with my trouble?” I asked, tone softening.

Hating myself for ruining her life.

Evelyn is truly something. I am sure her heart is made of gold. She is such a selfless girl. 

“She is an embodiment of a kind-hearted person. She didn't even think about her and agreed for marriage.” I whispered, holding my head.

“So you will truly marry her? Isn’t there any other option?” He asked vaguely.

“If you have done, then tell me as well.” I replied in the same tone.

I was lost in my thoughts as my father called, "Lawrence, I need to talk to you alone and Adrian, tell the guests the marriage will continue soon." 

Adrian stood still. He must be shocked as we all are.

"Adrian?" Father called him again.

"Yeah?" He said in a vague tone. What happened to him now? Even I am not that lost.

"Tell the guest marriage will continue soon and apologize for the delay," Father instructed him as he nodded and left. 

“Lawrence.” Father motioned me to come closer, I came closer and bent on my knees and held father's hand. 

“Yes, Father?” I asked in a calm tone. Even though I want to say a lot of things to him that it's his fault this all happened but I didn't.

"Lawrence, I am sorry son. I shouldn't have arranged you in marriage. It's all my fault. You have all the right to be furious.” He said, guilt-ridden.

“None of it matters now.” I sighed, lowering my head.

“I ruined not only yours but also Evelyn's life." Father said with his head down in shame. I wanted to comfort my father but I couldn't, I just couldn't think of any words for his comfort. What he is saying is true.

"I am sorry, Son.." Father said once again. My grip tightened on his hand as I passed him a reassuring smile.

"It's alright, Father. I just want you to be with us. Never leave us, We are nothing without you." I kissed my father's hand. 

“If that’s what you want, I will do it for you.” I said sincerely.

He petrified me. The thought of losing him frightened me without any extent and today I felt like my whole being stopped when he had that anxiety attack.

Father put his other hand over mine and began to say,

"Listen, Lawrence, I know both of you don't like each other. I know she is nothing but family to you. But now, After your marriage, she is your everything. You have to take care of her and respect her feelings.” He advises what I already know.

“Give her some space and time. I am sure your marriage will work. But remember one thing carefully, She is your Responsibility. Protecting her, Caring her, Loving her, Helping her, Respecting her and all those things; you'll have to do it. Okay, Son?"

"I promise father, I'll take great care of Evelyn and will try my best to be a good husband, to provide her with happiness." I passed a faint smile to Father and stood up.

‘Even though you don't want to be my wife but I promise I'll fulfill my every duty as your husband and ensure you won’t regret marrying me.