Catrin’s frown deepened. Ryan, you think whatever was between you and Arwen was merely an arrangement?The reminder that things were merely an arrangement hurt more than what Ryan had imagined. Not once … but every time.But, given how often he had heard it, he has gotten accustomed to the pain.What I think doesn’t matter because that’s the truth —one that I failed to see for years, Ryan said dejectedly. It was this misunderstanding that made him grow overconfident in thinking that he could treat Arwen the way he wanted and that she would still love him with the best.However, he failed to realize this sooner that there might be no love in her heart …How can there be when he did nothing to make such feelings bloom in her heart? All that he did was humiliate her, and treat her like she meant nothing to him.Ryan, what rubbish are you talking about, Catrin snapped, not liking the conversation at all. Do you think it’s easy to pretend things that are not actually there? If Arwen hadn’t loved you, would she have forced herself into the arrangement the way she did?Will she not? Ryan reverted to the question. His eyes turned holding the gaze that stated ‘you know that better than I do’.Aunt Catrin, Arwen has loved you and her family more than you have ever cared to notice. Even if she has to sacrifice herself she wouldn’t have thought twice if it was for you, Ryan said, just to remind Catrin of something that she never acknowledged. And this arrangement was your plan, your wish, your dream — what do you think Arwen would have done?He didn’t need Catrin’s confirmation over it. He knew it already. He might have ignored Arwen most of the time, but that didn’t keep him away from noticing her many times.Catrin’s composed attitude for the first time cracked. She felt needles piercing her soul. But then she reminded herself that all that she did was not to force Arwen into something she didn’t want, but rather into something that would shape her future into the best form.She was her mother. Of course, even if she had to turn out to be the biggest villain in Arwen’s life, she wouldn’t hesitate to become one if that guaranteed her best future.Ryan, I think there is some kind of misunderstanding happening here, she said, clearing the lump she felt in her throat like she never felt anything. I agree it was us who arranged the engagement between you two and I also accept that we even forced you two into it. But … she paused before continuing with more conviction. … after that, it was you two who took it ahead. It was Arwen who took it ahead.It might have started with a force, but no one can force you forever —especially for ten whole years. Catrin’s words made sense and it made Ryan pause in thoughts. Ryan, what initially came as an arrangement, didn’t remain the same. You fell for Arwen, how can you be sure that Arwen wouldn’t have fallen for you the same way?Ryan glanced up at her, taken aback by her words. Could Arwen truly have fallen for him?As if Catrin could read his thoughts on his face. Smiling at him, she said, Arwen has fallen for you long back. If not, there is no way she would have accepted the arrangement in the first place. She might love me a lot, but she loved you more than me. Not from the day we set you up, but even long before that.She said and her words like that confused Ryan. His brows jutted as her stared at her and asked, What do you mean?Catrin met his eyes with confidence, nodding, I said Arwen liked you far before you two were engaged. She has started developing feelings for you since she was young,Arwen had feelings for him since earlier …How did he never get to know it? Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library EmpireHe never felt her treating him differently at all.Aunt Catrin, you don’t have to lie like that, he said, frowning at how difficult he felt to believe what he wanted in reality. He wanted Arwen to have feelings for him, not due to the arrangement that their families shared, but because she liked him. What I and Arwen shared was purely a family arrangement that none of us was in favor of.Catrin shook her head. I am not lying to you, Ryan, she said. I am telling you the truth. Arwen had always had feelings for you. If you don’t believe it, I can even make you believe it.Ryan didn’t wait for another second. Instead, he immediately asked, How?Just then Mr. Cole appeared. Madam! he called politely, making Catrin turn and look at him.Her gaze darted to look down at his hand which was holding a brown book that she remembered quite well. It might not be looking like how she had last seen it, but it still looked almost the same.Her eyes returned to meet the butler’s gaze and she gave him a subtle nod, asking him to wait and then turned to look back at Ryan.You asked me ‘how’, Ryan? she repeated, and Ryan didn’t think twice before nodding.Yes, he affirmed. You didn’t think I would believe it just because you are saying it, Aunt Catrin.Catrin shook her head. No, I didn’t think, but I am amazed to see how little confidence you have in yourself. her words carried a hint of disdain. But anyway, since you want to make you believe what I am saying is true then, I will.Ryan was confused. However, he patiently waited to see what the woman was up to.Catrin turned to the burler and gestured him forward. Bring it to me, she said and the butler, following her orders, stepped forward to hand over the brown book he held in his hand.
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