bChapter /bb24 /b

Fiona smiled sheepishly “Ste, you’ve juste back, and I really hoped in keep you here for a few more years.

“Without you at home, I missed you terribly for these past three years. Now that you’re finally back, I really want us to spend more time toget

“But Fiona saidb, /bpausing, “the Bass family specifically asked for you. As soon as they heard you were back, they wanted you to marry into their family

“I know byou’re /bstill youn

young, just twenty–one, but the bBass /bfamily wants you to marry to help ward off bad luck.

“Do you remember Naomi Bass? She has been in poor health and is in aa right now. Her family is worried, and they’re hoping that your wedding might bring her back.

“Though it’s superstitious, they still want to give it ba /bbtry/b. You met Henry Bass when you were little. He’s decent looking and only slightly older than you

“They had a fortune teller check your birth charts, and yours matches perfectly with Henry’s. After marrying him, you can continue your studies.”

With that, Fiona stole ba /bnervous nce bat /bSte. “Ste, I genuinely believe this would be an excellent match. The Bass family is fully aware of byour /b

circumstances

“I know you may not like hearing this, but if you refuse this offer of marriage, it’ll be difficult for you to find a suitable husbandter. The Bass family has sterling reputation. You’ll live a good life bif /byou marry into the family.”

“Is that all?” Ste basked/b, her face expressionless and her tone icy cold.

“Yes, I spoke with your grandma. She thinks it’s ba /bgood match, too, and she has always been close to Naomi. bShe /balso made it clear that the final decision was yours. If you disagree, that’s perfectly fine.”

“I brefuse/b,” Ste said tly

Fiona seemed taken aback. She gaped, and after a long pause, she finally said, “I get it. I’m just letting you bknow/b. If you disagree, that’s fine. Why don’t you get some rest for now?” With that, she left with a dark expression.

Ste found it bitterly ironic, Fiona couldn’t wait to marry her off. To the Hayes family, keeping her at home bwas /blike sitting on a ticking time bomb.

If she married Troy, she would no longer be tied to the Hayes family and the Carver family wouldn’t have any reason to go aher them.

Ste thought to herself, ‘Since returning I’d never intended to marry banyone/b. I knew exactly what kind of life awaited me. If I can’t even trust my own parents, how could I possibly entrust my life to a man?

At least I live in modem times where boing single ispletely normal. It’s perfectly fine if bI /bnever marry

Determined to leave, Ste quietly slipped out while no one was paying attention.

First, she went to an ATM to check her ount and confirmed all her funds had arrived. Then she bought a new phone and got a SIM bcard /bwith her ID.

The first thing Ste did bwas /bcontact Jordan. Here’s my new number.]

Jordan (Would you like to meet up?]

Ste paused, considering. She had known Jordan for nearly five years, but their entire rtionship had been virtual. They had neve photos.

xchanged

Jordan had never mentioned meeting up before, and Ste hadn’t considered it, either. But now that he brought it up, she realized she did want to see him, just not in her current state.

10:08 bWed/b, 30 Jul G (

Ste: Not a good time, sorry!

Jordan Nowonies o d you’re back sale There are a few things I should fit you en

Ste tested back with a brief day. Herptop wasn’t working, either, so she went to the mall and bought a new one.

When Ste graduated, she had started driving lessons but onlypleted half of them. The remaining sses had expired, so she had to signi

new courSE.

Following the directions on her phone, Ste made her way to the driving school.

A staff member at the driving school was hesitant to moll her due to her situation, but after Ste paid an additional fre, they agreed to ept her and promised to assign her a top instructor

When Ste walked out, deep in thought, a car suddenly sped around the corner, almost hitting her. Just in time, someone rushed over, sweeping her into their arms and getting her to safety,

The driver yelled at Ste, “Are you blind or something? Can’t you see the caring?”

Ste hadn’t noticed the caring around the corner, but even if she had, with the speed the driver was going, she wouldn’t have had time to get out

of the way.

After cursing Ste, 1

the driver sped off.

The man who had saved Ste earlier checked her over and asked, “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”

Ste was about bto /bsay thank you, but as soon as she recognized him, she instinctively pushed him baway/b. “bIt’s /byou, Mr. Bass.”

Even though it had been three years since shest saw him, Ste recognized Henry instantly, as he looked almost exactly the same as before.

Henry looked at her with a smile and said, “Ste, I never expected we’d meet again like this. Seems fate breally /bwants us to cross paths.”

Ste sized him up. He was 5.6 feet tall, weighed 176 pounds, and was in his fortiesb, /bba /bdozen byears /bher senior.

So this is the man bFiona /bwants to marry me off to, if my memory serves me right, she thought, her heart sinking.

“Thank you, but gotta go now. Bye,” Ste said, turning to leave.

Henty stopped her, “Where are you going? i can give you a ride,” he offered.

“No thanks,” Ste said, deliberately stepping back to keep her distance from him.

Henry noticed her difort and didn’t step forward, bafraid /bof being rude. He bsaid /bsoftly, “Ste, it bpains /bme to see you like this. You’ve been through so much all these byears/b.”

Hearing that, Ste shook her head.

Henry continued, “You were such a lovely girl back then. You were so pretty with a great figure. But now… Don’t worry. Once you marry me, I’ll make sure you regain your rosy glow and get back to how you used to be.”

However, bSte /bsaid. “I haven’t agreed to this manage arrangement, Mr. Bass. Please don’t ever bring it up again.

Henry looked pained and said, “I get it. You’re still young, and marrying someone like me would be beneath byou/b. But I had our birth charts analyzed, and they’re a perfect match.

“I’ve had feelings for you ever since then. I know the hardships you’ve faced in your family. But if you ever change your mind, I promis

eat you with

the utmost care.”

Ste stayed silent, her resolve firm.

Seeing her determined face, Henry sighed. “Alright then, if you don’t want a ride, that’s fine, Fum pot other matters to attend to, so the on my way”

Seeing Henry finally leave, Ste leathed a sigh of relief.

Ste bwalked /binto the house with her phone andptop, only to find everyone in a state of panic. Something’s wrong she thought, feeling one

She b

hadn’t paid much attention at first, but when Fiona stormed out and snapped at her, she learned Eleanor had fallen ill.

Ste walked over to Fiona and asked, “How’s Grandma doing?”

Fiona replied, “Eleanor… Seeing the worry on 5

1 Ste’s face, Fiona felt her anger fade, and she turned away in silence.

Ste grow anxious and instinctively grabbed Fiona’s arm, squeezing harder than she intended. Fiona flinched in pain.

The expressions of those upstairs grew more and more seriousb, /bwhile the servants hurried about in ba /bpanic. A dreadful sense of foreboding gripped Ste’s heart. “How’s Grandma? Is she..

E