SECOND CHANCE BRIDE

UR

was because I just wanted to control something-whatever it was. While everyone was still arguing in the living ro

with me. We

s body. His face showed confusion, but he let me drag him

we reached the large window overlooking the back garden. His tone

us, I know this is sudden and might sound crazy. But I nee

looking at me with raised eyebrows

ze for what I just did. Asking to marry you in front of

on, but I could see the tension in his jaw. "If

There is something you must know, Darius, something th

ginning to show in his e

w the earnestness in my eyes.

do you mean? What are you trying t

I realized what had really happened in the past. The envelope contained evidence that wo

anding the envelope to her. "But I want you to see

d the envelope and began to look at the contents. As her eyes went through the photos an

her voice low but full of emotion. "V

irmed it. Valerie and Galen... they had an affair. They've been g

o digest everything. I knew this was hard for her

ause of this?" she asked finally, he

If you marry Valerie, you'll only get hurt. And if I marry Galen, I a

"And you think the solutio

us. It's just an excuse to stop all these plans for a while. I need time to thi

ing different in his eyes. Whether it was trust or simply

," he said finally. "But if what you say is true..

little. "That's what I was hoping for. We don't need to

back into the envelope. "Alright, Laura. I'

that?"

u're using this for your own benefit,

. "That'

e in this game. We both had the same goal-reveal the tr

*

family mansion. Our steps echoed along the walls, but no conve

n Valerie and Galen. I knew it was hard for him to accept this-two of the people closest to him had betrayed him

high, angry voice. It seemed like the commotion was still

nce. Her angry gaze immediately locked on Darius and me. She got up

mbling fingers. "What's this all

g to remain calm. "Valerie,

ying to take Darius away from me, aren't you? Do you think you're better

isn't about usurping anyone. I just want to stop

er eyes glazed over. "And you, Darius? Is this true? Are yo

the anger beginning to simmer within hi

in a cold, but clear voice. "Valerie, y

appeared together, then suddenly Laura is screaming about marrying you.

a step forward. "You want to know why? Because I know you and Galen...

ent, her face as pale as if she had just been slapped. Everyone in t

ent, her face as pale as if she had just been slapped. Everyone in t

Valerie finally spoke up, her voice

. I have proof. The letters, the photos... everything that proves

as from embarrassment. She glanced at Galen, who was now sitting with

" she said in a defensive tone. "

l then, why do you loo

rp. "Valerie, I'm giving you a chance to explain. But if

s now filled with tears. "Darius, you can't tru

alerie with a blank expression, as if the w

he said quietly, "then you wou

, looking for support, but no one spoke up for her. Even my moth

n't let myself or Darius be victimized by this lie. If you still want

ere was still a lot to face. But for the first time, I felt like I had control over my