Chapter 2

Although Melanie's clothes were patched and worn, her face was strikingly beautiful. It wasn't just Sophie who was caught off guard—even the usually calm and composed Edward seemed momentarily stunned, as though something had crossed his mind. Melanie's beauty was the kind that stood out in a crowd and couldn't be overshadowed, even by drab labor clothes. Yaeger was clearly surprised by her appearance as well. Who would have expected her to be so beautiful? Unlike their children, Luca and Sapphire didn't dwell on Melanie's appearance. They greeted her warmly. "You must be Melanie. I'm sure it was a tiring journey. Come in and make yourself at home," Luca said with a smile. Sapphire greeted Melanie with a brief nod, then turned her attention to Nellie, her granddaughter. Melanie nodded and said in a refined accent, "We aren't too tired. It was the driver who had the tough job, coming all this way to pick us up." With that, they all made their way inside. The Grayson residence featured a two-story house, expanded from their original home. Luca held a high position, and Sapphire wasn't an ordinary housewife. In the impoverished 1980s, they were considered a wealthy family. Melanie was satisfied with her new surroundings. Although she wasn't particularly interested in marriage, she saw it as a temporary arrangement. Once she was settled, she could divorce and leave with Nellie. For now, she was curious about the husband the Graysons had chosen for her. Once inside, Melanie sat down on the couch with Nellie beside her, while the rest of the Grayson family took their seats around them. Sapphire sat close to Nellie, affectionately teasing her. Elijah had had a difficult life. After being kidnapped and sold to a rural family, he had been treated well at first. But once his adoptive parents had had a son of their own, he had become an unwanted burden. His first wife had run off after giving birth to their daughter. Later, he had scraped together enough money by working odd jobs illegally. Eventually, he had married Melanie, who had taken on the role of Nellie's stepmother. Whether she had been kind to Nellie was hard to say. After exchanging some pleasantries, Luca got straight to the point. "Melanie, we know you've been through a lot in the countryside. Even though Elijah is gone, you're part of this family now. This family will stand by you. No one will bully you or your children. We'll look after you." Luca glanced at Yaeger, then turned back to Melanie and asked, "You're aware of Elijah's final wishes, right?" Melanie nodded, maintaining a respectful distance. She didn't show a hint of fear even when talking to someone as influential as Luca. Luca was impressed by her composure. It seemed Elijah had chosen a remarkable woman as his wife. Her courage alone surpassed that of many young women from the countryside. "Since you're aware of his wishes, let's get straight to it. This is my third son, Yaeger. He's just graduated and secured a stable job. He's a suitable match for you. Once you two are married, you can build a happy life together. He's a bit headstrong, but he's a good man," Luca said, clearly set on the arrangement. Melanie's expression remained unchanged as she glanced over at Yaeger. As their eyes met, Yaeger felt a bit shy under her assessing stare. Although she was more beautiful than he had expected, it wasn't enough to change his mind. Summoning his courage, he spoke up. "Dad, I haven't agreed to this!" Melanie lowered her gaze, silently crossing Yaeger off as an option. He was too young and reckless. She wanted a father figure for her child—someone who could provide the paternal love Nellie deserved. Yaeger clearly wasn't fit for that role. He was still a child himself. How could he be expected to help her take care of Nellie? As for the baby she was carrying, she had no intention of keeping it. The countryside tended to be rife with rumors, and there were no clinics there that met proper medical standards. Now that she was in Haywood, she planned to find an opportunity to abort the baby. After all, this baby was never meant to be born... Melanie's gaze shifted from Yaeger to Edward, whose composed presence seemed much more appealing. He looked older than Yaeger, exuding the charm of a mature man. Edward noticed her gaze and looked up, their eyes meeting. His eyes widened in surprise. She was the woman he had been searching for. After a moment's deliberation, Melanie spoke up. "Luca, if Yaeger doesn't want to, then let's leave it. Marriage shouldn't be forced. Besides, he doesn't seem suitable for me. He's not mature enough. But his brother seems like a better match. Could you arrange for me to marry him instead?" Melanie wasn't shy at all. From what she could see, Edward was much more reliable than Yaeger. If she had to marry someone, she wanted a compatible partner. The Grayson family fell into a stunned silence, looking at Melanie in disbelief. Who did she think she was? Yaeger was already more than she deserved. She was just a country bumpkin. If it hadn't been for Elijah's sake, she wouldn't have the chance to pick and choose. Sophie couldn't hold back any longer. This country bumpkin had not only dismissed Yaeger but had also set her sights on Edward. How could she even think she was worthy of him? "Stop dreaming! Do you even know who Edward is? He's way out of your league." Sophie had always looked up to Edward as a role model and admired him. Over the years, many women had liked him, but he had never shown interest in any of them. If he married a country bumpkin like Melanie, wouldn't he just become a laughingstock? Melanie frowned slightly. She knew the Graysons weren't just any family, but she hadn't expected their son to be a public official. Judging by Sophie's reaction, Edward's position must be quite high. She sighed to herself. If that were the case, maybe it would be better for her to stay single. As long as she had the Grayson family's support, she wouldn't have to suffer. But Nellie would grow up without a father's love, which could inevitably affect her emotionally. Just as Melanie was about to voice her thoughts, Edward spoke up. "I'm willing." As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell into stunned silence once more. Even the usually composed Luca was visibly anxious. "Edward, you—" Edward stood up and spoke in a gentle tone, making it sound polite even as he interrupted his father. "Dad, I'm already 26 years old. I'm of age to marry, and even my superiors have commented on it. Getting married would be beneficial for me as well. Yaeger is still young and may not be ready for marriage. If that's the case, I don't mind taking his place." Edward's explanation was well-reasoned and logical, leaving Luca and the others with little to say in response. Yaeger, who had felt aggrieved just moments before, was now overwhelmed by a wave of complicated emotions. He knew how high Edward's standards were. If Edward had agreed to marry this country bumpkin, it was likely for his sake. Realizing this, Yaeger's eyes filled with tears.