Chapter 3

"My mother is telling the truth. Wendy had been seeing me in secret all this while. I carried her backpack and books from class to class," Joe piped up as he nodded. Sean studied the pair. They were dressed well, and the bicycle was laden with gifts. It was clear that they had gone to the Stowell residence to ask for Wendy's hand in marriage. His lips curved up into a cold smile. Wendy was turning out to be even more of a pretentious gold digger than he thought she was. When Sean went to Wendy's high school to help her fill out the paperwork for her transfer to Bellmire City, he received a copy of her report card. Her grades for several subjects were abysmal. Even if she hadn't decided to transfer, the school would have advised her to drop out. This evidence further supported Sean's notion about the conversation that Wendy had with Victoria yesterday. Wendy indeed intended to go to Bellmire City for high school to rub shoulders with the elite and find a victim to marry. Even Wendy's homeroom teacher was surprised when Sean told her about Wendy's plans. The woman pointed out that Wendy wasn't moving to the city simply to study but was going to Bellmire City to get married. "Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?" Sean glanced at his watch. He didn't have time to keep talking with them. Miriam stiffened when Sean didn't seem to take the bait, so she quickly added, "Wendy wouldn't let Joe tell anyone that they were dating. She was just stringing him along. "Young man, I'm telling you now that you cannot trust anything that Wendy says." Miriam then dragged Joe with her and left. Meanwhile, Victoria stood outside the Stowell family home. Even from a distance, she could see Sean's jeep by the village entrance past the wheat fields. She hastily called out to Wendy and Xyla to bring their suitcases over. Wendy was dressed in a flowery blouse. Her hair was tied back into two braids, with some stray strands of hair flopping over her forehead. She cut a lovely figure under the summer sun. The sunlight emphasized her flawless skin, accentuating her shiny eyes and pink lips as well. No one could tear their eyes away from her. Meanwhile, her brother, Angus Stowell, carried Xyla on his back. Her hair was in braids as well, with flowers decorating her hair. The dress she wore was one that Victoria had bought for her as an engagement present. She was also a pretty girl, but she wasn't as perfect a beauty as Wendy. Xyla's own features were plainer than hers. "Hello, Sean," Xyla shyly greeted him. After greeting Victoria and Angus, Sean's gaze skipped past Wendy to fall upon Xyla. Instantly, his expression softened. "Hello there, Xyla." He then took Xyla's suitcase. "Hi, Sean," Wendy greeted him with a toothy smile. Sean's response was a quick nod before he handed Wendy her letter of recommendation. "What about mine?" Xyla asked, confused. "It's here with me. I'll hold onto it for you," Sean replied in a steady and calm tone. He sounded like he wanted to protect her. Wendy could see Sean's wariness and repulsion toward her. It seemed that he thought Wendy would tear Xyla's letter of recommendation to shreds. The original Wendy would have actually done that. "Thank you, Sean." Xyla looked down, but her heart leaped for joy. That meant that Sean loved her, right? She could tell that Sean was standing up for and protecting her. At that thought, Xyla's gaze wandered over to Wendy. Wendy looked straight ahead as she figured out her game plan for Bellmire City. Once she reached the city, she would have to stand on her own two feet. Sean's family would not be kind to her since the original Wendy had tried to steal Sean from Xyla, even going as far as to attempt suicide. Wendy didn't want to rely on their goodwill anyway. So, she wondered if she could get a job that would provide her with room and board. She would be able to save up some money to cover her living expenses that way. Once classes start, Wendy would have to stay in the school dormitory. She only needed to put up with dormitory life until she got into university. Victoria wondered how news of Wendy's lack of marriage prospects had spread outside of the Stowell household. Victoria and Joe had visited them earlier, so the entire village would soon know as well. Worried, Victoria grabbed Wendy's arm and preached to her about finding a new potential husband as soon as possible. She told Wendy to look for someone who wasn't in the military. She wanted Wendy to let her new husband be the sole breadwinner so that Wendy wouldn't need to work in Bellmire City. "Yeah, I got it." Wendy's mind was whirling. She knew it was futile trying to explain that she wanted to go to university, so she just nodded to appease Victoria. "You have to get a good husband in Bellmire. If you still can't find someone there and are forced to return to Riverbend, you'll be stuck with old, senile men only." Victoria teared up as she clutched Wendy's arm. Xyla was a smart girl, so Victoria didn't need to worry about her. However, Wendy was a cause for a headache. Wendy understood Victoria's perspective, so she reached out to gently take her hand and soothe her worries. "Don't worry, I'll definitely get a husband in three months." Wendy had been pressured to get married back in her life in the modern era. She could see that the pressure was even worse in the '80s. If she didn't allay Victoria's fears, Victoria would most likely keep writing her letters or sending her telegrams. She might even march all the way to Bellmire City to nag Wendy. Therefore, Wendy decided to tell a white lie so she could prepare for her university entrance exams in peace. Once she started school in Bellmire City, Wendy would write to Victoria to tell her that she had found a new potential spouse, but they would only marry once she graduated high school. Wendy would tell Victoria whatever she wanted to hear for now and save the truth for later. "Good girl." Victoria sniffled, relieved. Considering Wendy's pretty face, Victoria was sure that she would have no shortage of prospective partners. Sean walked faster after he heard Victoria and Wendy talk about marriage. So, Wendy wanted to find a husband and coast off his money in the span of three months. Disdain flashed across his eyes. Even when they reached Sean's jeep, Victoria kept weeping as she talked to her daughters. Xyla would still be able to return home during the school holidays, but Wendy would have a harder time doing so. Victoria shoved a few boiled eggs into Wendy's hand. They were the only eggs the Stowell family still had. Sean got into the driver's seat and watched all of this through the rearview mirror. Wendy stowed the boiled eggs away in her bag before sitting up straight. By some coincidence, she caught Sean's steely gaze in the mirror. His eyes were dark and suffocating.