Chapter 755
Mari approached Jareth, a solitary figure standing in front of him.
She was still wearing that white fleece loungewear she favored at the vi they once lived at, her cute
and yful appearance causing Jareth’s pallid lips to lift in an involuntary smile.
Tears welled up in his eyes as heughed, a single drop escaping to trace the line of his cheek.
Their eyes met, and a tumultuous tide of emotion surged between them, their hearts pounding fiercely
within their chests.
The man before her had grown so thin; she could barely recognize him. She pressed tightly her lip to
hold back the pain, afraid to utter a single word; afraid that if she did, she might break down in tears. If
she cried, all her resolve would mean nothing.
Eyes bloodshot, Jareth shuffled forward with heavy steps, reaching out to wrap her in a fierce embrace.
Tears cascaded down Mari’s cheeks silently, her sobs muted as she refused to return the embrace.
Yet even in her restraint, her ragged breath and racing heartbeat betrayed her feelings.
There were three things one cannot hide coughs, poverty, and love.
Jareth had so much he wanted to say. He wanted to ask her, why was she marrying Alston? Why?
Why?!
But when he finally spoke, all that emerged was a concern, “Dressed so lightly, what if you catch a
cold?”
Mari, her forehead pressed against his chest, just shook her head slightly. Lily and Dean averted
their eyes, unable to bear the sight of such star–crossed lovers. After a few moments of silence,
Jareth’s cold lips brushed against Mari’s ear, pleading softly, “Mari, don’t marry anyone else;
pleasee home with me.”
The woman in his arms said nothing, only her tears falling hot and fast onto his heaving chest. After a
long moment, Mari clenched her teeth and pushed him away with trembling hands, “Jareth, you have
to take care of yourself from now on. Don’te looking for me again.”
Jareth. A name she hadn’t uttered in so long. Yet now, it carried a distance that was foreign to the
warmth and sweetness it once held.
As she turned to leave, Jareth’s restraint shattered. He grabbed her arm with a grip so tight it could
crush her slender bones, “Mari, how can you do this to me. How can you be so cruel. Wouldn’t it be
easier to just kill
me?!”
“Mr. Fairhaven! Please, be calm! Lily and Dean panicked, fearing he might hurt Mari by ident.
But Jareth’s eyes brimmed with fragmented tears, “Didn’t you say you loved me? That you’d only be
mine? How could you go back on that? How could you?!”
He ranted in desperation, his hysteria carrying a taste of raw bitterness.
*A marriage not blessed by family will never be happy.” Mari endured the pain, her voice soft as she
lied to him, and to herself, I’m weak, and I’m scared. I’m afraid of getting hurt, afraid of causing trouble
for those around me. I’m just an ordinary person; I can’t handle the storms. I just want a simple life.
Even without love, as long as it’s peaceful, that’s enough. Jareth, it hurts at first, but it’ll get better with
time. I’ve let go of a lot, and you will too.”
Lily was stunned. She finally understood what it meant to speak the most heartless words in the
gentlest
Voice.
But having dealt with Gary earlier this evening, Lily hesitated. As long as Gary lived, he would seek
revenge.
If Mr. Fairhaven and Ms. Abernathy reconciled, she would instantly be Gary’s target, subject to
whatever vie schemes he might concoct against this poor girl.
The best course of action would be to keep their distance for now, to resolve all the dangers first, and
then let the young master court his woman cleanly. But who could have anticipated the Bartley family’s
interference! What if Ms. Abernathy truly married Alston in the end?!
FOS SE F
Upon hearing Mari’s words, Jareth broke out in a cold sweat, hisplexion void of any color. Could
memories etched so deeply within the heart be so easily forgotten?
The harsh re of a horn cut through the tension. Mari’s heart skipped a beat as she turned to see
headlights illuminating her startled face.
Dennis was the first to step out of the car, respectfully opening the door for Frederic, who appeared to
have. been roused from his slumber. Clearly, his dreams had been disturbed.
“Mari, what did you promise me?” Frederic stood amidst the harsh lights, his tone chillingly dark,
“Didn’t you say you’d never see anyone from the Fairhaven family again? Why can’t you give me
peace? Are you going to defy me like your brother did? Has he led you astray?”
The term “your brother” weighed on Mari like a leaden crown. That night, Frederic’s words still
echoed in her ears.
– “Dad, please don’t me Thaddeus, okay? He’s worked so hard over the years; it hasn’t been easy.
He’s given so much to his work; please don’t hold it against him.”
– “I don’t like disobedience, and your brother is a prime example. I needed his help to manage the
Abernathy Group before, so I’ve been tolerant, letting him be so insolent and presumptuous! But
now Chad’s health- is improving, and he’ll soon return to Elmsworth. Once his condition stabilizes, he
can take over for Thaddeus and manage the Group affairs. If I rece that fool, I might even live a few
more years!”
– “Dad, please don’t rece him! Please, I’m begging you; don’t do it.”
– “If you obey my arrangement and marry into the Bartley family, I’ll consider keeping your brother’s
position.”
“Mari, tome to me,” Frederic extended his hand emotionlessly toward his daughter.
Mari’sshes cast a sorrowful shadow as she took each step toward her father.
“Mari! Come back!” Jareth’s eyes were bloodshot as he yelled after her retreating figure. But she
didn’t look back.
“Mr. Fairhaven,ing to our doorstep in the dead of night with such a pathetic disy, don’t you think
it cheapens you?”
Frederic cradled his daughter in his arms, a contemptuous chill in his gaze, “Mari is engaged to
another man now. That brief, shameful fling of yours is over –pletely.
If you truly care about Mari’s well–being, stay away from her. The Fairhaven family have already
broken her once. Do you want to ruin her chance at happiness again?”
Jareth’s imposing frame shuddered, stumbling back a step. He watched them leave, their departure
feeling like a stampede across his heart.
A sense of utter powerlessness overwhelmed him. Never before had he felt so certain that he was
about to lose Mari.
Thaddeus spent the night with Evadne at Silveke Harbor. As night fell and they shared their marital
bliss, Evadne’s mind kept drifting to Mari’s impending marriage to the Bartley’s son, making it hard
for her to get in the mood.
But Thaddeus knew every inch of her body, and his gentle nibbles and caresses sent electric shivers
through her. His strength tossed her désire skyward before plunging it down again. In the rise and fall,
she found her passion rekindled, her rity slipping away
Post–bliss, Evadne curled up in Thaddeus‘ arms, drifting into sleep. That man, so powerful and
insatiable in bed no matter when, always left her craving more an addiction she couldn’t shake.
The next day was azy Sunday afternoon.
Evadne, spruced up, and descended the stairs with Thaddeus to the living room. She immediately
noticed Aaron’s familiar jacket casually draped over the back of the sofa.
As the butler passed by, she quickly inquired, “Is Mr. Aaron Ashbourne back?”
“Yes, Ms. Ashbourne. Mr. Aaron Ashbourne has returned and is conversing with Mrs. Suri Ashbourne
in the parlor.”
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Evadne exchanged a knowing look with Thaddeus, and hand in hand, they headed toward the parlor.
As they stepped inside, Aaron’s crisp voice floated over the carved room divider, tinged with frustration
and resentment.
“Had I known it woulde to this, I never would have given up. If she must marry someone like that, it
might as well have been me!”