Eileen's heart exploded with a resounding bang, akin to finally clutching a piece of driftwood in the vast ocean.
Tilting her head back, her gaze met Rafael's directly.
Gone was the playful twinkle in his eyes, replaced by a tender intensity that momentarily almost deceived even Eileen herself.
She anxiously glanced at Miles and Allison.
The shock sent them both tumbling onto the sofa.
After a pause, Miles managed to compose himself and lifted his head to address Eileen: "Eileen, what's going on?"
Before Eileen could respond, Rafael stood protectively behind her, a sensation she had never experienced before, leaving her mind blank as Rafael's deep, magnetic voice reverberated in her ears.
"We just registered today, it was all too hasty, and there wasn't time to inform Mom and Dad," Rafael explained, masking his irritation with Miles and maintaining his composure.
"Eileen!" Miles restrained his anger and addressed her firmly.
Eileen, steeling herself, spoke up: "Mom, Dad, what he said is true. I got married because I didn't want to marry..."
Before she could finish, Allison rushed over, gripping Eileen's shoulders. "Eileen, what's wrong with you? You've always liked Jayden, and now that Jayden has finally agreed to marry you, what's going on..."
Suddenly, Allison became wary, lowering her voice as she glanced at Rafael. "You tell Mom honestly, has someone threatened you?"
Realizing Allison's misunderstanding, Eileen quickly interjected, "Mom, no one has threatened me. I just don't want to marry a man who doesn't love me!"
She was exhausted.
She couldn't go on!
Allison's nails dug deep into Eileen's flesh. "Do you know what you're saying, Eileen? Since you and Jayden got engaged, we've treated you as his future wife. Marrying him is to revitalize the Grandelle family, not for romantic feelings!"
Eileen gasped for air. "Mom..."
She looked at Miles.
Miles looked disappointedly at her. "Eileen, while Jayden is still unaware of this, go and divorce him immediately! You're Jayden's wife, how can you be so confused?"
As he spoke, he frowned with disgust, his initial favor towards Rafael completely dissipated.
A tinge of red colored Eileen's eyes. Despite the presence of others, she asked, "Do you know why he agreed to marry me?"
Miles turned away. "I don't want to hear it. Go and get a divorce immediately."
Eileen was taken aback. Bitterness crept into her heart as she watched her father's retreating figure, and she lamented softly, "He said, 'Give Lori my kidney, and he will marry me.'"
Silence hung in the air.
Miles and Allison exchanged a complex glance, while Rafael lazily lifted his eyelids, his brow furrowing imperceptibly at Miles and Allison's reaction.
Somewhere in Rafael's heart, there was a vague discomfort, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why.
Sniffling, Eileen continued, "Mom, Dad, you know how I've treated him for the past eight years. You know better than anyone. But him, not only does he not love me, but he's also with Lori before ending the engagement, and now, to save Lori, he wants to take my kidney. I really can't imagine, after marrying him, if Lori wants to take my life, will he..."
Eileen couldn't continue.
Lori was her uncle's daughter.
Her attention had always been on Jayden, spending little time with her sisters at home.
Naturally, her emotions were distant. But six months ago, when Lori was diagnosed with kidney failure, Eileen had been actively searching for a donor.
But what was the result?
They not only were ungrateful but also betrayed her, even without discussion, demanding she donate a kidney.
Was it not excessively cruel, even for a stranger, let alone a relative?
Allison glanced silently at her husband, and only after they reached a mutual understanding did she gently take Eileen's hand. "Dear, Mom knows you're feeling wronged, but think about it, removing a kidney has no effect on your body, and you can save your sister, become Jayden's wife, it's a win-win situation, isn't it?"
Eileen felt a chill run down her spine. "Mom, what are you saying?"
Jayden betrayed her, why should she fulfill him and the other woman!?
She looked to Miles and for help.
Miles, however, looked up at the ceiling. "Eileen, you're not a child anymore. This deal is fair for us."
"A deal..." Eileen swayed, nearly stumbling, but Rafael quickly caught her wrist.
She managed to stand firm, looking painfully at her parents, who had adored her unconditionally since childhood.
If Jayden's actions that night were a slap to wake her up, then today her parents' words were a push into the abyss.
"So, for you, my happiness doesn't matter. As long as I marry him, and help the Grandelle family return to its peak, that's more important than anything else, right?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, the accumulated grievances and despair of recent days bursting forth uncontrollably.
After her outburst, Eileen ran out without looking back.
She couldn't take it anymore.
Why couldn't even her beloved parents understand her?!
Miles and Allison were about to chase after her, but were coldly blocked by Rafael.
Gone was the warmth from his face, as well as his nonchalant demeanor.
"The knife has already stabbed into the heart, there's no need for pretense," he said pointedly, causing Miles to feel uneasy and raise his voice, "Who do you think you are to stop us? Eileen is our daughter."
"So, now you remember she's your daughter," Rafael mocked, a smirk playing at his lips. "From the way you speak, I thought she was your purchased servant."
With that, he took a step back, looking down on Miles and Allison from a superior position. "Now that she's mine, I won't let anyone harm her, not even her parents!"
His domineering aura left Miles stunned for several seconds before he finally reacted, shouting angrily at Rafael's retreating figure, "Who do you think you are, daring to lecture us? You must divorce her immediately! Otherwise, I'll make sure you can't stay in Northlake!!"
However, Rafael had already left the Grandelle family, completely ignoring Miles' fury.
Outside the Grandelle family estate, Rafael spotted the girl slumped over the steering wheel, her shoulders trembling.
Rafael's steps halted.
He needed a wife, but facing unnecessary trouble, his purpose had already been achieved, and he didn't need any further involvement.
Turning around, Rafael's mind flashed back to the determined gaze in the girl's eyes amidst her despair.
With a frustrated frown, Rafael took a few brisk steps forward, then stopped abruptly. He glanced at the fragile figure, then grimaced, turning back towards the car. He pulled the door open, gave Eileen a shove, and gruffly ordered, "Get in."
Lost in her sorrow, Eileen mechanically lifted her head. Before she could react, strong arms encircled her waist with overwhelming force.
Dizzy from the sudden movement, Eileen found herself firmly held in Rafael's embrace.
Terrified, she forgot to cry, her excessively beautiful eyes fixed on Rafael in alarm.
"What... what are you doing?!"
They had agreed that this woulde be a fake marriage!