Our rings were made of pure gold, and mine was embedded with diamonds. It was almost impossible for them to break and fade. So, even if the impossible happened, I would still have something to hold onto. Percy gave me the assurance that my heart desperately needed, and my eyes began to well up as he slipped the ring into my finger. "Percival," I started while taking the ring from the bearer. I looked at him before I continued. "I thought I knew love until I stood before you today, and what I feel in my chest feels unfamiliar. It's as if I had never loved any man before you. My heart used to be coddled in its little fantasy. But it was different now. It knows what it's risking." I said.I wish I could thank him for being Marcus' father since that was what I was most grateful for. But I knew better than letting the people in this hall know about my son. Even though it felt like I was alone in this moment with Percival, I knew a lot of eyes were watching--even the ones that weren't here
I didn't bother telling Percy about Helena and decided to talk to her myself. My secretary guided me to where our little uninvited guest was. Showing up here already had too much audacity, but she went even further by wearing a red coat. I sneered, tilting the side of my lips. This girl seemed sophisticated. She was fairly beautiful and successful, but she's showing no class. I've let her antics slide because Percival didn't tolerate or entertain them. I thought it would end there, but I guess Percival wasn't someone you could give up easily. I thought she'd have more decency, but hearts can be quite stubborn. I wasn't sure why she decided to show up. It was already too late to stop the wedding, but I did hope this was her way of closure. "What's the problem here?" I asked the guards as I approached them. "I asked for Percival because I didn't want to bother the bride." Helena carried herself boldly as she spoke to me. She tugged her straight black hair behind her ear and gave m
"You have to behave yourself, Percival. My father's watching you," I said, even though my dad was busy talking to his friends.Percival chuckled and kissed my cheek. He looked at me playfully as he raised our arms, and a giggle left my lips as I twirled. It brought me back to when we were young, and it felt like nothing had passed since then. The night was still young, and the guests seemed to enjoy themselves. I danced with my father after my first dance with Percy. Koen, who used to be my dance partner when we were little, also danced with me tonight. My heart was warmed by the presence of our friends and families, but it was yet to feel complete. By the time I was in Percival's arms again, I already felt tired from all the dancing. We were walking back to our seats when he leaned toward my ear."Wanna ditch the party? Marcus and I might've prepared something for you at home," he whispered."What about dad and your grandfather?" I asked, but my eyes were already glowing with excit
"Did they say why she's here?" I asked, feeling reluctant to let him go. Percival walked me to the kitchen before he answered my question."They said she needed to talk to me. She claims it's important," Percy sighed. "I've been avoiding her. She tried to talk to me and schedule appointments, but I blocked it all out. Should I have spoken to her then?""Is there a history I should be aware of?" I asked. "You told me not to worry, and I'm not. But I want to know why she's doing all this? Especially on our wedding day."Something about Helena made me feel uncomfortable, and it wasn't just her blatant ways of letting me know she wanted my man. I guess it was how she made her motives visible to me but not to other people. She knew what she was doing, and it was hard to know what she was thinking. "Back then, she was in the middle of an arranged marriage. But unlike you, her parents didn't give her a choice. We bumped into each other, and she was drunk on a high-rise building's rooftop.
"You might think you know me, but you don't." Percival's glare would make anyone shudder, but Helena stood her ground. She was determined to do what she came here for. "You know nothing about us. So, get a damn grip."Percival's voice sounded deep and threatening. His patience appeared to be wearing thin. As if he was only a few more exchanges away from walking out on her and placing a restraining order.Helena's back was turned against me, so I couldn't see her expression. But I saw how her shoulders shook as if she just scoffed. I didn't know if I should feel bad for her or be pissed after she used her hand on Percy."But I know that she left you and chose someone else. I'm not like you, Percival. I won't stand by and wait for her to hurt you."What she said struck something inside me, and my gaze fell to the floor. I did feel unworthy of all the love that Percival had offered me, but I wanted him anyway. There was nothing I could do about the past. There were things I didn't know t
Waking up to Percival wasn't anything new, but waking up to him with my bareness still pressed against his was. My hand cautiously reached for his face, caressing it and smiling at myself. Even though I was careful not to wake him up, I saw how the corner of his lips curled slightly. The arms that cradled me enclosed me tighter into his body. I rested my head on his hard chest when he didn't open his eyes. He must've been tired after staying true to his words about how he'd keep me up all night. I didn't even plan on falling asleep. I just did."I love you," his baritone voice mumbled, eyes still shut. I didn't know what was more difficult for him. . . to keep those three words bottled up, concealed, locked away for several years, or to finally say it only for me to refuse him. But everything that happened led us to this slow and warm morning together. "I love you," I whispered and swore I would always say it back. My hand hovered on his face to shield it from the ray of sunlight
I looked around, trying to grasp what had happened. What had led to this? Eyes searching for the threat. For the danger that caused this. Because I had come to get used to people destroying the things I wanted to protect. But there was no one. Instead, I found Linda crying in terror while cradled in the headmaid's arms. She was screaming. Apologizing. Only now that I was looking at her did I realize I had gone deaf to our surroundings. "What happened?" I, once again, asked, not as their boss but as Marcus' mother. My lips trembled, and my brows caved in. "H-he ran off. F-fell. I'm s-sorry. I didn't think he'd do that. I'm sorry! I took my eyes off him for one second. Is he okay?" I looked up the stairs and felt nauseous at the height of it. The small gate we attached there hung open, and I mentally shouted at myself for not replacing it when I knew that Marcus already knew how to open it. Of course, Linda wouldn't think my son would just run off. He was well-behaved. It must've be
I was prepared to order a media blackout. How wide? I wasn't sure yet. But I do know how quick people were to judge. How destructive their curiosities could be. They would assume, mock, and gossip about my son. I could already guess what they would say. Out of Wedlock. Abandoned. Maybe they'd even think he was adopted. Marcus would have the whole world talk about him the way they did to me when they found out about the annulment and the claim about my fertility. If only I had chosen a better man or made better choices, he wouldn't be in this situation. I knew I couldn't shield him forever, but this time, I wanted to do everything I could to make the world and future kinder to him. Even if I had to step away from the limelight and everything I love. I focused all my energy on getting to Marcus first and left the situation at Crescent to Koen. I also asked Grace to head to our house and send me the CCTV footage of the incident. I didn't want to see it, but my mind wouldn't give it a re