Chapter 75: Vera Has Woken Up
โNo, not at all!โ Casimir denied. โHow could you possibly think that?โ
โWhat else then? I donโt believe you have the courage to call off your engagement with Waverly and marry me!โ Raylee retorted sarcastically.
โWhat if I told you I do?โ Casimir braced himself on the hospital bed, leaning toward her. His dark eyes were fixed on her face.
โWould you break off your engagement with Waverly and marry me?โ
A sharp pang pierced Rayleeโs heart, as if the air around her were igniting. His words seemed magnetic, attracting all her hopes and dreams. In that fleeting moment, she almost believed in his sincerity.
Impulsively, she blurted, โIf you dare to call off your engagement with her now, I will marry you!โ
Casimir hesitated. โWe need to think this through carefully. A family alliance through marriage isnโt solely my decision.โ
โHehโฆ This is the Casimir I knowโmature, steady, weighing pros and cons, clear-headed.โ
Harsh reality snapped Raylee back. She averted her gaze, her eyebrows furrowed. How could she believe anything a man like him said? A man from a prominent family, who viewed marriage and women as mere tools? Was he really going to abandon the heiress of the Goodridge family for herโa woman with nothing, disabled, and with a history of imprisonment? True love? How much was it truly worth?
โRayleeโif youโre willing to wait for me, Iโll give you an answer youโll be happy with.โ Casimir gently cupped her face, forcing her to look at him.
As their eyes met, Raylee found herself lost in the deep, mysterious ocean of his gaze. A burning flame seemed to flicker within them, but it couldnโt reach her heart anymore. She shrugged off his hand, a hint of mockery playing on her lips.
โWait for you? A year? Ten years? Or perhaps twenty?โ
โRayโโ
โPlease, call me Raylee. Weโre not that close,โ Raylee interrupted, her gaze intense. โMr. Sutherland, weโre adults. You know better than anyone what should and shouldnโt be said. If you canโt keep your promises, donโt act like youโre running a fish tank. And as for meโthis fishโdo yourself a favor and stay out of my way!โ
Casimirโs face flushed crimson. โDo you think Iโm just playing around?โ he said, annoyed. โWeโve known each other for so long. Do I strike you as someone who takes relationships lightly?โ
As her words faded, Veraโs caregiver rushed in, agitated. โMs. Goodridge,โ she exclaimed, โOld Mrs. Goodridge has awakened! Sheโs been calling your name, insisting on seeing you!โ
Sweeping Raylee into his arms, Casimir declared, โIโm carrying you over, no objections allowed. When I say I like you, Iโm not playing around.โ
Raylee stared, astonished. They werenโt alone. What was he doing? What was he saying? The caregiver looked bewildered. Wasn't this gentleman engaged to the other Ms. Goodridge?
Inside the hospital room, Vera was momentarily startled seeing Casimir carrying Raylee. As soon as Raylee reached her bedside, she was embraced tightly. The old lady wailed like a distressed child.
โMy sweet granddaughter,โ she cried, โwhat hardships did you endure in the mental institution? Let me see you.โ
Raylee patted her grandmotherโs back soothingly. โGrandma, Iโm fine. Donโt listen to Waverlyโs gossip.โ
โWhereโs Samuel? That rascal! Call him over; Iโm going to give him a piece of my mind!โ Vera exclaimed, her indignation clear.
Raylee was exasperated. โHeโs the only male in the Goodridge family. If he were to die, the Goodridge line would end.โ
โSo be it! Iโd rather not have such a malicious offspring!โ
Vera tenderly stroked Rayleeโs face, wiping her tears. โAll I need is you, Raylee. If anyone dares to treat you poorly, Iโll fight them to the end.โ
Overwhelmed, Rayleeโs throat tightened, and tears welled up. Coupled with the injustices sheโd endured, she couldn't hold back. Only in her grandmotherโs presence could she truly be herself.
Watching the tearful embrace, Casimir felt a stir in his heart. He approached Vera slowly. โGrandma, I promise to take good care of Raylee. You wonโt have to worry.โ
โYou will protect Raylee?โ Vera asked sternly. โYouโre no longer her fiancรฉ. On what grounds are you protecting her? It would be better if you distanced yourself, to avoid unwanted criticism. Especially after carrying her into the sickroom. If other Goodridge family members had seen that, it would have caused an uproar.โ