Chapter 364
I was in a cloud of doubt, standing there with Molly, our gazes turning toward Mark in unison.
He looked composed and polished as ever, refilling my glass with water and cracking a light–hearted smile. “What’s the big secret? It’s just that revealing too much might bring trouble his way”
“Why is that?” Molly inquired.
“Didn’t you mention he and your dad fought?” Mark lowered his gaze, keeping his voice even. “The more details you spill, the more worried he’ll get about Jane. Imagine the chaos it would stir at home. Isn’t that just inviting trouble?”
“You have a point…” Molly conceded, nodding. “But I’ve spilled the beans, and even though he hasn’t seen it yet, there’s no taking it back.”
Mark’s smile didn’t waver. “No worries. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Christine emerged from the bedroom, surprised to find Mark and Molly. She greeted us with a smile.
Mark glanced at her with regret. “Steven was waiting for you on his wedding day.”
“Wait for me? Why?” Christine popped open a soda, sipping it leisurely.
The mention affected her mood. The wedding invitation had found its way to her and me.
She, of course, would never attend. And as her friend, I found no reason to go, either.
Mark sighed. “Probably, he couldn’t let go.”
“Mark,” Christine chuckled carelessly. “People who try to have it all deserve whatever comes their way. I don’t want to hear about him ever again.”
Christine always knew how to let go. That subject was closed.
After some small talk, I glanced at the time and suggested we head downstairs for lunch. However, I wasn’t quite myself yet, too embarrassed to show my face, hence the mask. So, while the other three indulged in all the good stuff, I quietly sipped the soup.
After lunch, as Molly and Christine led the way out, Mark walked beside me, his gaze lingering on me. “Jane, you and Gregory are worlds apart.”
“I’m aware,” I responded with a tight–lipped smile.
The gap between Gregory and me didn’t require anyone else’s reminder, especially now that Lilliana had returned. Everything was falling back into place.
Mark chuckled softly. “For some reason, I always felt you treated him differently, and it seems I was right.”
“Why do they stand a better chance than me?” he pondered.
I offered a helpless smile. “Mark, you’re a great guy. And as you’ve seen, it’s impossible between Gregory and me. He’s engaged.”
Any relationship involving a third party was of no interest to me. I would rather avoid it altogether.
His eyebrows raised, and his curiosity piqued. “But what if you were Lilliana? Would you have no hesitation in being with him? Fulfilling a childhood marriage pact?”
I paused, turning to him with resignation. “How could I ever be so lucky?”
Setting aside the choices I might have made as Lilliana, just that Lilliana was Ms. Myers was beyond my wildest dreams.
1/2
Chapter 364
Yet, Mark persisted, “But what if? Would you?”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head. “Besides, what I think has never really mattered.”
I’ve always been at the mercy of fate.
“Fair enough.” Mark’s lips pressed together firmly. “Anyway, you’re not her.”
As we reached the elevator, I pressed the button. “Exactly, and you just helped me uncover my origins not too long ago.”
After escorting them out of the hotel, Mark stopped, his voice filled with concern, “Stay away from the Myers and the Ford families, okay? You’d better not get dragged into their mess again. If anything happens, you’ll be the one to suffer. Got it?”