The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Elice’s guess was undoubtedly correct. For Garrett didn’t see any surprise on the beautiful woman’s face.

“I never expected things to turn out like this. That Nana would meet you and ask you to marry me.”

Elice blinked. Even if she could guess where the conversation would lead that night, she still was not ready to discuss it.

“I won’t pressure you, Elice. Don’t worry. I know this is the strangest way for two people to be bound in marriage. And whatever your decision is, I’ll deal with it.”

Frankly, a marriage pushed by Daphne was a good thing for Garrett. The man was clearly interested in Elice. Coupled with the diminishing time he had every day. But Garrett tried to suppress his selfishness.

Marriage was always about two people. Even when two people had the same commitment, storms would still come. In the form of family and loved ones who sometimes felt more important. What about this one?

“What about your decision then, Garrett?”

A slight frown appeared on Garrett’s forehead. “My decision?”

“Yes, your decision,” Elice nodded. “And what is your decision?”

Garrett was not prepared for this question.

“You always ask me. But I think you never let me know what you think. About this matter and about this marriage.”

Elice blinked once, seemed uncomfortable with the word marriage. She took a deep breath.

“What about you? How do you feel about this marriage?”

Garrett felt like his throat was being strangled. Elice’s calm question was something he had not expected. But it was not Elice’s fault. On the contrary. It was a fact that Garrett often asked her without letting Elice know what was on his mind.

“Are you going to obey your grandmother’s order to marry me, or the other way around?”

Garrett took a deep breath until his shoulders seemed to sway in a slight movement. In his mind, he had to be honest, or the other way around. Garrett knew that any answer he gave would carry the same risk.

“I’ve been thinking the last few days.”

Unexpectedly, Elice decided to continue speaking. She seemed to look at her fingers on the table.

“It seems that I was too naive to think that this situation only affected me. Because in reality, you’re going through your own bad days as well. You’re a prominent person. With a high position. And I think a scandal like this really doesn’t do you any good.”

No need to confirm; Elice’s words were indeed true. That’s what happened to Garrett. It made his eyes red, his eye bags bigger, and he couldn’t get a good night’s sleep.

“But of course, marriage is not the only way out of this problem, is it?”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

With this question, Elice raised her face again. She stared at Garrett with a look the man couldn’t interpret.

“Suppose we don’t get married and you decide to marry someone else, that wouldn’t be a problem, would it? Because no matter how big the scandal is, time will surely calm everything down”.

What Elice said was true. Besides, this was Oceana. No matter how big the scandal was, everything would disappear in time. In fact, society always became the infallible judge. But on another occasion, society could be the most forgiving, believing that no man was perfect.

“Everything is just a question of time”.

This is what Elice has learned over the past year. The heartache, the tears and all her suffering were slowly fading away. Sure, she would not forget what had happened to her. But at least she could still live. She could still survive. And she could still go on.

“I don’t want this mistake to trap us in a more complicated one, Garrett. Marriage is not that easy. Especially…”

There was a bitterness that made Elice’s voice stop abruptly. Garrett understood.

“Because of my family and because of Ariel.”

Elice blinked. “Ariel is not in my life anymore, Garrett. When I decided to move and start a new life, I left everything behind. And I’m sure you know how I feel about that now, unshaken.”

Garrett would never forget Elice’s outright rejection of Ariel that night. It had truly amazed him, and Elice seemed proud of herself.

Elice’s feelings for Ariel had clearly changed from love to an unimaginable hatred. She could attack Ariel without blinking an eye. It was something Garrett had never expected – a complete reversal in just one year.

“But I have to admit. Entering your world is the scariest thing for me, Garrett.”

After all, if Elice faced such a significant backlash just for dating Ariel, what would happen if she married Garrett? Garrett could sense her hesitation and fear. Marrying him was not an easy decision.

“So…” Garrett whispered. His voice was deep and heavy. Trying to contain his turbulent emotions was a challenge. “… do you refuse this marriage?”

Elice took a deep breath. She vividly remembered her conversation with Daphne. She wouldn’t forget the implicit order the older woman had given her.

“I don’t want to take any chances, Garrett. Marriage is not trivial. And even though I’ve been hurt, in my hope…” Elice lowered her face. “… I still hope to marry for love.”

It was every woman’s hope. Not an extravagant wish, but in reality, it could be difficult to achieve. Elice was pessimistic. With her dark past and the scandalous news that spread later, she wondered if any man would accept her.

There might be more opportunities abroad. But in Oceana, where society perceived women as immaculate beings, it seemed almost impossible, right?

“What if it’s the other way around?”

Elice’s long, curled eyelashes quivered slightly as she blinked spontaneously. Garrett’s voice sounded different-softer than usual.

Elice was aware of it. Despite Garrett’s seemingly strong build and bronze skin, he had a gentle demeanor. Even when he spoke to her, he was careful not to raise his voice too much.

“Do you know why Nana insisted on pushing you to marry me?”

Elice seemed to overlook this. She stared at Garrett in confusion and shook her head.

“Because Nana knows I haven’t been with any other woman but you.”

Elice was stunned. Her clear eyes darting around in her chest, searching the dark orbs of Garrett’s eyes.

“I know it sounds absurd and childish. But are you?” asked Garrett without waiting for the woman’s answer. “The morning you left, I went looking for you.”

*