Chapter 3
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Dario’s face went rigid in an instant.
He realized right away that I truly knew the truth–I wasn’t just bluffing.
His eyes reddened immediately.
He told me it was an accident.
“I was drunk that night. I only mistook Miley for you because I’d had too much to drink.”
What a ridiculous excuse, but I just couldn’t be bothered to argue.
“Edith, I promise I’ll take care of things with Miley and the baby. Please, trust me.”
Dario grabbed my hand, desperate to reassure me.
I nodded, saying nothing at all.
Dario hesitated, “Are you still mad at me? I-”
Before he could finish, the door swung open.
Miley stood there, tears streaking her cheeks, wearing nothing but a flimsy nightgown, one hand pressed to her stom- ach. “Dario, I just had a nightmare. My stomach hurts a little, too.”
She looked at Dario with those big, tearful eyes, “Will you stay with me?”
Dario let go of my hand immediately.
He gently wiped away Miley’s tears, then glanced back at me, his voice rushed, “Edith, get some rest. Miley’s not feeling well–I can’t leave her alone.”
He carefully supported Miley by the waist, not a hint of hesitation, and guided her out of the room.
I gave a bitter, self–mocking smile.
Oh, Dario.
There won’t be a second time I forgive you.
By the time I finished packing all my things, Dario and Miley were still curled up together, fast asleep.
I didn’t spare them another glance. I went straight home to my parents‘ house.
Mom, Dad, and my sister Sierra Paxton were all sitting in the living room.
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Chapter 3
288 Vouchers
The moment Mom and Sierra saw me, their eyes filled with tears. They kept saying how hard things must’ve been for me overseas, how much weight I’d lost.
Dad was overjoyed, too. He immediately decided we’d go out for a proper family dinner that night to welcome me home.
I hadn’t slept well the night before, so I took a long, peaceful nap. When I woke up and came out, I found Mom, Dad, and Sierra still in the living room, their faces unusually serious.
I paused when I spotted the invitation on the table. It took me a couple of seconds to realize what it was.
The arranged marriage with the Tavin family–its time had finally come.
For a family like ours, a business marriage was nothing out of the ordinary.
The Tavins had deep roots, and their business interests complemented ours perfectly.
But because Dario and I were in love, my parents had never considered marrying me off to the Tavins.
Sierra loved me dearly. From the start, she’d always assumed she’d be the one to shoulder the responsibility of a mar- riage alliance, never pressuring me about it.
My thoughts drifted until my phone suddenly rang.
It was Dario. “Edith, where did you go?”
“I’m at my parents‘ house.”
I answered calmly.
Maybe feeling guilty, Dario immediately tried to coax me, saying he’d come pick me up and spend some time togeth- er, and visit my parents while he was at it.
Before I could refuse, he hung up.
But a second later, he sent a text.
“Edith, Miley’s suddenly not feeling well. I don’t want to leave her home alone. I’ll have to skip today.”
I’d barely been home two days, and Miley was already running through a lifetime’s worth of illnesses.
I forced a smile, ignoring the dull, grinding pain in my heart, and looked up at my parents.
“Mom, Dad, I’ll marry into the Tavin family.”
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