Chapter 13

Pearl couldn't bear to see him forcing this cheerful façade. "Wes, I know you've always been proud. It's hard to accept the fact that there's a contract, but—" Wesley's smile froze. For someone usually so arrogant, his face showed rare defeat—though he quickly masked it. He soon returned to his usual aloof demeanor. He cut Pearl off without hesitation. "You're overthinking this, Mom. The one who can't accept reality is Mabel. "When she hears I'm marrying Anais, she'll regret everything and come running back immediately. Just wait—there's no way Mabel doesn't love me!" As he spoke, Wesley straightened his collar and squared his shoulders. Before Pearl could respond, he turned and marched upstairs. In the bedroom, a drowsy Anais blinked awake to find Wesley kneeling beside her bed. "Annie, will you marry me?" he asked. Without noticing his strange expression, Anais sprang up with a shriek and threw her arms around him. Pearl lingered in the doorway, watching the unsettling scene