I smoothed out the wrinkles in my gown caused by their interruption and said slowly, “You had too many women you wanted to marry. Joseph only chose me.”
Ever since Dad returned to Nautilis, the Blackwell family had extended an olive branch to him.
At the time, I was still tangled up with the Langston brothers, so I rejected that offer without a second thought.
But the news that the Blackwell family’s heir wanted to marry me seemed to set off something.
Suddenly, every family in Nautilis was scrambling to marry their eligible daughters into the Blackwell family.
Many of those young women were better than me in every way.
Strangely enough, the Blackwell family turned down every single one of them.
Then, when I finally said yes, they accepted without hesitation.
I didn’t bother to ask why.
From beginning to end, Joseph only ever chose me, unlike the Langston brothers, who wanted to build a home for every pretty
woman they met.
Shawn sneered, stepping right up to me.
“And yet you say you’re not envious of Queenie. Couldn’t you be just a little more generous? You were Grandpa’s chosen granddaughter–in–law. Do you think Queenie could really replace you?”
I turned my head away, not bothering to answer.
Nigel’s expression turned solemn, but he couldn’t stop lecturing.
“Yvonne, you’re making a huge mistake! Do you really think Joseph only wants you? How sure are you that there won’t be
another ‘Queenie‘ in your life someday?”
Before he could finish, someone kicked him squarely in the chest, sending him crashing to the floor.
Then, a pair of powerful arms wrapped around me, carrying the faint scent of herbs that instantly made me feel safe.
I looked up and saw a vaguely familiar face.
The man’s features were somehow even more striking than his photo.
1
“Who said that I needed anyone else other than Yvonne?” he said.
My heartbeat went wild, I wasn’t some giddy teenager anymore, but something about his voice made my pulse race.
I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes.
He gently took my hand and even gave it a playful squeeze.
The part of me that had been shaken by seeing the Langston brothers suddenly found its footing again.
I laced my fingers with his and said firmly, “Not everyone is as filthy and twisted as you two. I have my own home now. I don’t
need to go crawling back to yours, begging for scraps of affection. This man beside me is my true love!”
I used to think love had to be wild and passionate to be real.
Now, I finally understood that steady love was what would truly last.
Why would someone who truly loved me make me wait forever?
I looked up and smiled at Joseph.
He smiled back, but the flush on his ears betrayed his thoughts.
Had I just confessed to him?
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
“Do you like it?”
My head was spinning, but I nodded anyway.
He chuckled and motioned for the bridal shop staff to pack the gown.
Before I could react, I handed over the card Mrs. Blackwell had given me.
Joseph stood nearby, simply watching with a smile as I authorized the payment.
That simple action clearly set off the Langston brothers‘ competitive instincts.
Shawn’s voice shot up in volume.
