Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Most of the city was still bustling at ten-thirty on a summer night. However, Mary suddenly could not hear anything around her. John Liam’s words were the only things that reverberated in her ears. That, and John’s warm breath.
His words brought Mary back to five years ago when John had gently told her on the college campus that he would wait for her.
“John, I—” Mary stammered as she struggled to free herself from John’s embrace.
There was a hint of disappointment in John’s eyes as he interrupted, “Don’t be in such a hurry to reject me.” He continued, smiling bitterly under the moonlight, “Mary, I hated myself when I found out that you met with a mishap five years ago. I hated myself for only telling you that I’ll be waiting for you on the college campus that night. I hated myself for not being more selfish and arrogant, and not bringing you to the capital. As long as you are willing, I guarantee to treat Jason like my own. We don’t have to have more children after we get married. Jason alone is enough.”
“…”
John continued, “Mary, if these words make you uncomfortable or trouble you in any way, pretend that I never said them. We can start by being friends. Goodnight.”
John got into the car and left.
Mary stood there in a daze. She did have feelings for John back then. However, Max Gaston had been very strict with her. He had overbearingly and unreasonably forbidden her from getting close to anyone of the opposite sex. Max said that Paul, who had played with her since young, would lead her astray as Paul had dropped out of high school. He said that John, who had exceptional grades, was a playboy and treated every girl nicely. He also said that the Liams had already chosen a wife for Paul. They had even fought because of this.
Max had wanted to reconcile with her on her birthday night. He did not explicitly say so but Mary could tell from his tone over the phone. She had made an excuse to leave and go fetch him after hanging up. However, he did not appear even after she waited for half an hour. It was then that she went to the hotel room that Max always stayed in…
“He’s already left. What are you lingering outside for?” Mary was startled by the sudden sound of a man’s voice. She turned around, only to see Max Gaston’s cold figure standing in the shadows. He was staring at her with his deep eyes, though she could not make out the emotion within them. The air around him was heavy and cold.
Mary only noticed now that Max was accompanied by Matthew Smith, who was carrying a set of luggage.
Max had witnessed the two of them hugging. ‘So it’s true when she said that there’s man she has always liked? Getting me to marry Sandra White, saying that she was going to find a stepfather for Jason— All of that is for Liam?’ Max thought, his expression turning a shade darker.
Mary did not know where Max’s anger stemmed from. She was not in a relationship with John Liam, but even if she were, what right did this man, who had been such a terrible person for five years, have to meddle in her business?
She bent over and grabbed the box John had left behind. However, Max grabbed her on the wrist and asked, “That man gave you this?”
There was a tinge of fury in his voice. Mary looked up and met his deep, cold eyes, then raised her brows. She decisively pulled her arm back and said without emotion, “Max, John gave this to Jason. You can carry it for him.”
The air instantly turned cold. A few feet away, Matthew Smith stopped in his tracks, not daring to get near them.
Max stared at Mary for a few seconds, then picked up the box and threw it on the ground in front of Matthew. He ordered coldly, “Throw it into the bin.”
“Max,” Mary protested.
Max’s expression was dark. He commanded with his deep, robust voice, “Tell me if Jason wants anything. Don’t accept gifts from any other men, especially those with ulterior motives.”
Max had recognized John the moment he stopped the car. John had carried a torch for Mary five years ago. He had even approached Max and addressed him as if he were his brother, among other nonsense.
Mary was infuriated when she saw Matthew carry the box toward the bin. She threatened, “If you throw the gift away, tomorrow, I’ll agree to his request to be together with him.”
“…”
Matthew’s hands were trembling in fright. He dropped the gift onto the floor.
Max’s eyes became impossibly dark and sinister. He locked his grip around Mary’s wrist and growled, his tone even deeper than just now, “Mary, try getting together with John Liam, and wait and see if the Liams will hold their position the second-most influential family in Sheares.”
Mary was angered. She struggled but only hurt her wrist. She mocked, “You can’t even tolerate a gift that another man bought for Jason. Why do I have to accept you, who bedded another woman?”
“So you want me to marry Sandra White as planned, for Liam?” Max roared. He had to control the strength he was exerting so as not to break Mary’s wrist.
Max knew that Mary was unwilling to marry him. He knew that she had many secrets, and may treat him as an enemy. He knew that she was no longer the young girl who relied on him.
“I merely do not want to foil your wedding. You have to be responsible towards her, right?” Mary stated.
“What if I say that there is nothing between Sandra and me?” Max asked.
Mary suddenly laughed, as if she just heard a joke. She mocked, “Max, do you even believe that? Sandra even got pregnant after you did it with her five years ago.”
“So you’ve always thought of me as impure and have never considered my suggestion?” Max questioned further. His grip around Mary’s wrist was getting tighter and tighter. Mary was in increasing pain and could not break free no matter how much she struggled.
She clenched her teeth and replied, “Yes.”
That one word broke the last remnant of Max’s self-control. There was a storm in his eyes as he asked, laughing coldly, “And you think that John Liam is that pure?”
Mary did not speak. However, Max interpreted her silence as disdain for him and silent approval for John Liam. He turned his head and roared fiercely at Matthew Smith, “Throw that box away immediately!”
Matthew responded mechanically and picked up the box, then threw the box into a bin a few inches away like an unfeeling robot.
Mary’s fury was also ignited when she heard the box hit the walls of the bin. She seethed, “Max Gaston, let go of me.”
‘Great. She has argued with me time and time again for the same man and now she’s even calling me by my full name,’ Max thought.
He laughed coldly and spoke, as if he was going to break Mary’s wrist, “You haven’t answered me yet. Do you really think that Liam is such a great man?”
He was determined to get an answer, to hear it straight from her mouth.
“That’s right. He’s better than you. I liked him five years ago and I still like him now,” Mary responded. She had just finished her sentence when Max suddenly forcefully pushed her toward the tree a few steps away. Caught off guard, the impact sent waves of pain down her back. She immediately teared up.
Before she could even react, Max’s furious voice rang out beside her ears, “That Liam is pure and I am not? Don’t you forget, you were also been bedded by me five years ago. You’re as dirty as I am.”
“I’ve forgotten. I’ve forgotten about it a long time ago. Max Gaston, let go of me,” Mary pleaded.
“I’ll help you regain your memories right now!” Max snarled. He had just finished his sentence when he violently forced her mouth open with his fingers and kissed her.
Mary froze. Her teary eyes widened in fury.
Not far away away, Matthew had run into the villa with the luggage in fright.
Under the tree, Max turned Mary around, and started pushing her dress up….