Chapter 22

Chapter 22:

A gentle breeze stirred, lifting a few strands of Fernanda’s hair and playfully casting them across her eyes. She squinted slightly, her expression thoughtful.

“Help me?” Fernanda studied Cristian’s earnest face. “And how exactly would you help me?”

“In whatever way you need,” Cristian replied. “I’m at your service.”

For a moment, Fernanda gazed into Cristian’s deep, dark eyes, then gracefully stepped back.

“There’s no need,” she said calmly. “I can manage on my own.”

“You once saved my life, Fernanda. It’s only right that I offer you my help now,” Cristian insisted, gently taking her wrist before tenderly tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His tone was warm, filled with sincerity. “Believe me, I have no ulterior motives.”

Fernanda gently but firmly removed his hand.

“I appreciate your kindness,” she said, her voice steady and distant. “But it’s unnecessary.”

With resolve, Fernanda turned and began to walk away.

She had barely taken a few steps when an unexpected figure darted out from behind a nearby tree, nearly colliding with her. Caught off guard, Fernanda stepped back, her heel sinking into the damp ground.

Her balance faltered, and she began to fall backward. Instantly, Cristian was at her side, his arms reaching out to steady her.

The cool night air played with the edges of her white gown, casting a tranquil yet enchanting aura as she found herself in his embrace. Bobby, who had just bumped into Fernanda, was startled when he recognized her as the stunning woman he had met the other day. In a rush, he blurted out, “Are you alright?”

Lɒtєѕτ chɑρτєrs ιn g𝓪l𝑛ovє𝓁𝓈.𝑐𝓞𝓂

Fernanda gave a slight nod and replied softly, “I’m fine.”

She regained her composure, smoothing her dress and patting her hair back into place. After murmuring a quiet thank you to Cristian, she resumed her walk.

Bobby remained rooted in place, his gaze lingering on Fernanda as she walked away.

It took a playful tap on the head from Cristian to snap Bobby back to reality. Confusion clouded his features as he turned to his cousin.

“Hey, why did you hit me?” he demanded.

Cristian’s lips curled into a smirk as a light, teasing chuckle escaped him. “You looked like a complete fool,” he teased. “You should have seen yourself—gawking like a lovesick puppy.”

Touching his face in disbelief, Bobby protested, “I was not!”

Curiosity quickly replaced his embarrassment as he glanced back at Cristian, his tone shifting. “What were you doing out here with her, anyway? Wait a minute. Is she here as your date tonight?”

Completely unaware of Fernanda’s identity and her significance to the evening, Bobby’s confusion only deepened.

Cristian, however, just sighed, choosing not to explain.

Changing the subject with a spark of excitement, Bobby announced, “You know what, Cristian? I’ve got fantastic news!” He rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. “I just spoke with my mom, and she’s decided to call off my engagement! Isn’t that amazing? Now I’m free to pursue that stunning woman without anything holding me back.”

Cristian looked at Bobby with a mixture of pity and disbelief.

Oblivious to Cristian’s incredulous stare, Bobby continued, “Mom was fuming earlier. She kept ranting about how the Morgan daughter was poorly raised, calling her unbearable and utterly unfit to marry into our family. I have to agree. If she was never taught the basics of our social standards, how could she possibly fit in, right? Though I’m relieved the engagement is off, I can’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her. After all, she didn’t choose the family she was born into, did she?”

Now that the engagement was officially off, Bobby felt free to speak his mind about the Morgan family’s eldest daughter without reservation.

As they wandered deeper into the garden, Bobby’s rambling continued. Suddenly, he changed the topic. “By the way, I heard someone playing the piano earlier near the villa. It was absolutely mesmerizing! Was it Ava playing? She’s become astonishingly skilled in no time!”

Cristian exhaled wearily, wondering how to make the naive Bobby realize that the talented pianist he admired and the so-called ill-bred girl he scorned were one and the same.

“The party’s winding down,” Bobby said, glancing at his watch. “Cristian, let’s grab a drink to toast my escape from that absurd engagement!”

Cristian looked directly at Bobby, his voice steady and sincere. “Like it or not, your fiancée is truly extraordinary. She’s not only beautiful but also elegant and confident. That exquisite piano piece you admired earlier? She was the one playing it.”

Bobby’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Cristian, astonishment etched across his face. After a brief pause, he clutched his stomach and burst into laughter.

“Oh, come on, Cristian! Don’t joke around. I won’t fall for that,” Bobby scoffed, letting out a sharp laugh. “She’s beautiful, elegant, and a piano prodigy? You’ve got to be kidding me! Erika said her sister never even set foot in a school. And now you want me to believe she’s responsible for that musical masterpiece?”

His laughter overwhelmed him, and he doubled over, tears sparkling at the corners of his eyes.

“I’m serious.” Cristian’s voice was calm, his face expressionless. “The stunning woman you’re eager to pursue? It’s her.”

He felt it was his duty to enlighten his oblivious cousin. It would be dishonest to let Bobby remain in the dark any longer.

But Bobby, still caught up in his fit of laughter, clutched his stomach as if Cristian had just told the greatest joke.

He barely heard Cristian mention “stunning woman” through his laughter.

“Cristian, has my mom bribed you?” Bobby chuckled, his laughter punctuated by gasps. Tears glistened in his eyes as he crouched down, shaking his head in amusement. “She must be desperate to have me marry the Morgan family’s eldest daughter. She’s probably told you to say all this!”

“I’ve told you the truth. It’s up to you whether you believe it or not,” Cristian replied, his tone even as he turned to walk away. “Just don’t come to regret it later.”

“My dear cousin,” Bobby called after Cristian, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Regret? Impossible! I couldn’t be happier. Tonight, I’m going to celebrate as much as I can!”

Cristian didn’t reply and continued on his way back to the villa, fully aware of Judie’s volatile nature.

With the ongoing strife between Judie and Fernanda, Cristian was certain that this matter would not be resolved without upheaval.

As Cristian re-entered the villa, the doors swung open, and he was immediately met by Judie’s piercing declaration echoing through the hall. “I will never accept this engagement, and the Harper family will certainly not welcome such a woman! Consider the engagement between my son, Bobby Harper, and Fernanda Morgan officially over!”

A chilling silence descended upon the room.

All eyes turned to Fernanda, who sat quietly on the sofa, the very picture of grace. Yet, beneath her composure, those present felt a wave of sympathy for her, having just been publicly humiliated by Judie’s renouncement.

The crowd was stunned, puzzled by the abrupt dissolution of the engagement. Everything had seemed perfectly in order just moments before. Fernanda exuded an aura of poise and elegance that was both unmistakable and magnetic. It had been widely expected that Judie would wholeheartedly embrace her as a future member of their family.

After a moment of shocked stillness, Robert quickly made his way to where Fernanda sat. His voice was urgent as he asked, “Fernanda, what just happened? Didn’t Judie just want to talk upstairs? Did you say something to offend her?”

Looking up, Fernanda caught the mix of concern and reproach in Robert’s expression. It was as though he was on the verge of chastising her then and there, restrained only by the presence of onlookers.

Fernanda’s response was tinged with frustration. “What am I supposed to do if Judie refuses to accept me?” she countered sharply.

Robert was insistent, his tone growing more desperate. “You have to find a way to win her over. Do you realize the prestige the Harpers have? Securing a place in their family would be a tremendous benefit for you. You can’t let this chance slip away!”

As he spoke, Robert’s grip tightened on Fernanda’s arm, pulling her up. “Go, speak with Judie, and resolve this! We can’t afford to have the engagement called off!”

Under the harsh glare of the overhead lights, the sweat on Robert’s forehead was visible, betraying his deep panic and fear that his plans might unravel.

With a faint, derisive smirk, Fernanda regarded Robert with chilling composure.

Just as he was about to plead further, a firm voice echoed from the staircase. “This engagement will not be broken off. I, Martin Harper, wholeheartedly accept Fernanda as my future daughter-in-law.”

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