Chapter 75: Vera Has Woken Up
“No, not at all!” Casimir denied. “How could you possibly think that?”
“What else then? I don’t believe you have the courage to call off your engagement with Waverly and marry me!” Raylee retorted sarcastically.
“What if I told you I do?” Casimir braced himself on the hospital bed, leaning toward her. His dark eyes were fixed on her face.
“Would you break off your engagement with Waverly and marry me?”
A sharp pang pierced Raylee’s 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, “If you dare to call off your engagement with her now, I will marry you!”
Casimir hesitated. “We need to think this through carefully. A family alliance through marriage isn’t solely my decision.”
“Heh… This is the Casimir I know—mature, steady, weighing pros and cons, clear-headed.”
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 her—a woman with nothing, disabled, and with a history of imprisonment? True love? How much was it truly worth?
“Raylee—if you’re willing to wait for me, I’ll give you an answer you’ll be happy with.” 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 couldn’t reach her heart anymore. She shrugged off his hand, a hint of mockery playing on her lips.
“Wait for you? A year? Ten years? Or perhaps twenty?”
“Ray—”
“Please, call me Raylee. We’re not that close,” Raylee interrupted, her gaze intense. “Mr. Sutherland, we’re adults. You know better than anyone what should and shouldn’t be said. If you can’t keep your promises, don’t act like you’re running a fish tank. And as for me—this fish—do yourself a favor and stay out of my way!”
Casimir’s face flushed crimson. “Do you think I’m just playing around?” he said, annoyed. “We’ve known each other for so long. Do I strike you as someone who takes relationships lightly?”
As her words faded, Vera’s caregiver rushed in, agitated. “Ms. Goodridge,” she exclaimed, “Old Mrs. Goodridge has awakened! She’s been calling your name, insisting on seeing you!”
Sweeping Raylee into his arms, Casimir declared, “I’m carrying you over, no objections allowed. When I say I like you, I’m not playing around.”
Raylee stared, astonished. They weren’t 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.
“My sweet granddaughter,” she cried, “what hardships did you endure in the mental institution? Let me see you.”
Raylee patted her grandmother’s back soothingly. “Grandma, I’m fine. Don’t listen to Waverly’s gossip.”
“Where’s Samuel? That rascal! Call him over; I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!” Vera exclaimed, her indignation clear.
Raylee was exasperated. “He’s the only male in the Goodridge family. If he were to die, the Goodridge line would end.”
“So be it! I’d rather not have such a malicious offspring!”
Vera tenderly stroked Raylee’s face, wiping her tears. “All I need is you, Raylee. If anyone dares to treat you poorly, I’ll fight them to the end.”
Overwhelmed, Raylee’s throat tightened, and tears welled up. Coupled with the injustices she’d endured, she couldn't hold back. Only in her grandmother’s presence could she truly be herself.
Watching the tearful embrace, Casimir felt a stir in his heart. He approached Vera slowly. “Grandma, I promise to take good care of Raylee. You won’t have to worry.”
“You will protect Raylee?” Vera asked sternly. “You’re no longer her fiancé. 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.”