"Is there a problem?" Rafael lifted an eyelid to glance at her.
Eileen pursed her lips, unsure of how to explain, fearing Rafael might misunderstand. She could only say, "No, let's go."
It was something she would have to face sooner or later anyway.
On the way, Eileen received a call from Jayden.
Watching the incessant blinking light on the screen, Eileen's expression froze, as if she were looking at herself from eight years ago.
It used to be her who initiated calls to Jayden, showing concern and care.
But Jayden had never once called her first, not even when she was hospitalized and underwent surgery.
Yet now, for Lori, he could repeatedly call her.
Each man is unique and incomparable.
"Aren't you going to answer?" Rafael, resting his eyes in the passenger seat, glanced sideways out the window.
Eileen looked at the man's perfect profile. Though she couldn't see his expression, she inexplicably felt his impatience.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally pressed the answer button.
Before she could speak, Jayden's voice came through, full of fury.
"Eileen! Get to the hospital right away! Do you know how many experts are waiting for you? Do you know how much Lori is suffering? How can you be so selfish? I've agreed to marry you. What more do you want?!"
A bitter smile spread across Eileen's lips. Though she had long known that Jayden didn't like her, she never imagined she was viewed so poorly in his eyes.
Since that was the case...
"What do I want? Don't you already know?" Eileen's gaze turned icy. "I want your love. Can you provide that?"
"Shameless!" Jayden sneered. "I'll never love a woman like you! Eileen, come over now, and you still have a chance to become the lady of the Kalmien family. Be a step late, and I'll leave you with nothing, neither wealth nor status!"
Eileen raised her head, tears stinging her eyes. "I'm already married."
With that, she hung up the phone. It was the first time she ended the call first. It felt liberating not to have to wait meekly.
On the other end of the line, Jayden was shaken for a moment before sneering disdainfully.
Married?
Eileen, who had gone to such lengths to marry him, how could she marry someone else? This woman's scheming was getting deeper. She even wanted to use a fake marriage to negotiate with him.
It was truly terrifying!
...
After the call ended, silence enveloped the car. Rafael, who had been watching out the window, raised his long fingers to massage his temples.
The sound of the phone call had been too loud; he didn't need to strain to hear every word.
And that man's voice on the phone, it seemed familiar.
"No wonder you don't like men."
His deep, rich voice echoed in the car.
Suddenly understood, Eileen struggled to hold back her sobs, her teeth clenched. "Men are all bastards!"
Rafael didn't argue. He glanced at Eileen, his gaze penetrating. The girl's body trembled uncontrollably, her fingers tightly gripping the steering wheel. Veins stood out on her fair hand, her anger palpable.
Yet, despite it all, her clear eyes were resolute, like a phoenix reborn from the flames, fearless of adversity, determined to break free from constraints and soar.
He was moved and blurted out, "Let me drive."
Eileen's trembling paused.
Rafael didn't dare to meet her clear gaze. He turned his head slightly. "I don't want to die on the road."
Eileen:"..."
The two swapped places, and the rest of the journey was silent as they headed to Eileen's home.
Arriving at the doorstep, Eileen finally composed herself.
She glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were still swollen from crying, adding to the snow-white paleness of her complexion. Her lips, already pale, were even more colorless. She looked like a fragile porcelain doll, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.
She took out some eyeshadow and lipstick, touched up her makeup, and made sure everything was fine before turning to Rafael. "Okay."
Rafael's gaze faltered.
With her makeup done, Eileen looked refreshed. Her beautiful eyes glistened with tears, exuding a softness and charm that were beyond words. Her lips, now tinted with a rosy hue, were alluring, making it impossible to look away.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Eileen nervously leaned towards the rearview mirror.
Rafael withdrew his gaze, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. With a hint of mockery or sincerity, he said, "I didn't expect Ms. Grandelle to be quite beautiful."
A compliment from him, however, turned sour.
Eileen couldn't be bothered to argue with him. She looked towards the villa not far away, grabbing the hem of her dress nervously.
Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and said, "Let's go."
Rafael watched her back as she walked, as if she were heading to her execution. His eyebrows raised slightly, intrigued, he followed Eileen's footsteps.
"Mom, Dad, I'm back!"
Eileen pushed the door open and looked into the living room.
Seeing her daughter, Miles Grandelle and Allison Grandelle, with surprise, raised their reading glasses and came over. "Eileen, why are you back?"
Ever since Eileen came of age, she had moved to the city center, all to take care of Jayden more conveniently.
Seeing Miles's gray temples, Eileen's eyes welled up. All these years, she had devoted all her time and energy to Jayden, completely oblivious to her parents' aging.
Thankfully, she finally woke up and realized who she should truly care for.
"Dad..."
"Who is this?" Miles's attention suddenly shifted to the man behind Eileen.
With his keen intuition, he felt that the man before him was not simple.
Eileen hesitated. "He is my..."
"Oh, my daughter is back!" Accompanied by an excited voice, a figure in red rushed down from the second floor to Eileen's side. "Just now Jayden called me and said you two are getting married. Is it true?"
Eileen was shocked, “What?”
Jayden had arranged a wedding without her consent!
Miles and Allison didn't notice their daughter's unusual reaction and eagerly confirmed with each other, "Really?! Jayden finally agreed to marry Eileen?"
They had been waiting for this day for over a decade!
Seeing her parents so happy, Eileen bit her lip tightly.
How despicable!
Jayden had calculated that she wouldn't defy her parents and wanted to use them to pressure her!
To achieve his goals, he was truly unscrupulous!
Just as Eileen felt she was about to suffocate, a warm hand landed on her shoulder.
With a lazy, magnetic voice above her head, "Hello, Mom and Dad, I'm Eileen's husband. Nice to meet you."