Chapter 617
Hamilton’s words were like an emotional grenade, detonating without warning and leaving shockwaves in their path.
Not only did Frederic’s face look like it had taken a hit, but I bet even a fly buzzing by would have swelled up from the blast. Only his dad knew how to handle this black sheep of the family,
Glynnis shrunk behind Frederic like a quail in hiding, too scared to even show her face.
Evadne hurried over, her voice soft and soothing, “Marilla, honey, don’t be scared. I’m here, your brother and granddad are here too.”
Marilla lifted her tear–stained face from Jareth’s embrace; her cheeks were swollen as if soaked by the moon’s glow, dampening his shirt with her tears.
“Evadne.”
That term of endearment brought a swell of emotion to Evadne’s eyes, a numbing pain to her heart.
Marilla, choking back sobs, clung to Jareth’s shirt, her delicate hands gripping tight, “I don’t want to be apart from Jareth.”
In that moment, Jareth felt a sharp pain in his chest, pulling her in closer as if to crush her into his being, “We won’t be apart, Marilla, no matter what happens, I won’t leave you,”
Evadne stood speechless, her heart brimming with empathy.
In Marilla, she saw her own past self- the one who had been locked away at home by Emeric, the one who had leapt from her window on a stormy night, frantic to find Thaddeus.
She too had been held in his arms, insisting over and over that she couldn’t bear to be apart from him.
But she had been luckier than Marilla.
Emeric was all bark and no bite, his harsh words belied a tenderness and a willingness to compromise for the love of his daughter.
But Frederic was different. Self–serving and cold–hearted, how could he truly have Marilla’s best interests at heart?
To him, his reputation and the Abernathy family’s interests trumped everything, even family ties.
a word I’ve said! I came here today to back these young lovebirds!” Hamilton’s gaze was
What are
was fuming, his eyes bloodshot with anger, his words almost laughable,
of the Abernathy Group. You’ve just managed to push me
to die, stop threatening the younger generation with such nonsense! Jareth respects you for Marilla and Thaddeus‘ sake, but you’re
hand gripping the stair’s railing,
his father had berated
front of his children, but they were tearing his
and Jareth as well. Hamilton’s actions
of their conversation with
half an hour
car had quietly parked outside Windermere
Inside the vehicle.
display her skills in front of
all set.” Evadne handed the
it done?” Hamilton looked at her in
“Yes.”
you are so talented! Not like Thaddeus, good only for making money!” Hamilton said, playfully pinching Evadne’s nose with
Thaddeus turned silent.
old man, not only was he putting him down,
watching
seeing the young couple being bullied, clenched her fists in
go now?” Thaddeus asked, his voice strained.
face was grave, “Let’s wait.”
youngsters were surprised.
to marry my granddaughter, this is undoubtedly
I need to see just how much Jareth loves Marilla and whether he has the strength to protect my little granddaughter. The Fairhaven family, as far as I know, isn’t much stronger than the Chambers
Thaddeus exchanged
the true love of an elder for the younger
with his actions, had
give his blessing, I will!”
friendly smile as he beckoned the young
his arm around his petite wife,
Marilla’s eyes were nearly swollen shut from crying, but her sweet demeanor made the scene even more
“Ah.”
took his granddaughter’s hand
her head through her tears, “No, Grandpa.”
features
spent playing the sweet and dutiful granddaughter, fawning
had lost, utterly and completely, in the game of love and family. She’d been beaten by the very ‘fool‘ she’d scorned, crashing down
more. “Jareth, my granddaughter is in your hands now. You’ve got to take good care of her, spoil her rotten.
“Grandpa, I can.”
his voice trembling as he began to speak, tears brimming in the corners of his reddened eyes, “I swear to you, and I swear to God. I will love Marilla
Marilla tiptoed up to him, her hand
don’t have to say a thing. I
arm around her slender waist and whispered into her
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Fd7x6JqfXvT4jELHkKGZGxjqfFSQJdGtu1D6E1WqsCuFXjOp+/jDVB8ulMbvjJdXaz5PrNwOtQ==
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