Chapter 10
Hearing my words, Philip smiled and took my hand, sliding a diamond ring onto my finger–a ring larger than the two Jensen and Benjamin had given to Maya combined. Its brilliant sparkle showcased the Anderson family’s impressive status and deeply stung the Miller brothers.
Benjamin, furious, shouted, “Annalise, are you really going to throw away twenty years of feelings for the power and prestige of the Anderson family? I never thought you were so vain!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Once, I wanted nothing more than a shred of genuine affection, caring nothing for wealth or power. And what did I get in return? Jensen’s heartless slap, Benjamin’s foot nearly breaking my leg. They didn’t know that the Lewis family had already risen from the ashes, that my mother had repaid every penny the Miller family ever spent on me, that we no longer owed each other anything. Since Maya’s arrival, all their attention had been on her. They still believed I was the defenseless orphan they could trample on.
With Philip here, I no longer felt the need to hold back. I had the guards drag the Miller brothers away. Benjamin struggled but was no match for these strong bodyguards, though he could kick a recovering patient without hesitation. Realizing he couldn’t escape, he resorted to yelling insults.
“Annalise, I don’t believe you can be so heartless. Deep down, I know you have feelings for
me!”
“Philip, you’re the heir of the Anderson family, yet you’re willing to marry a woman like her? I doubt you’ll find happiness together!”
Jensen, however, remained calm, watching me with a complex expression. He simply said, “Annalise, you’ll regret this.”
When they were finally gone, peace settled around us. Philip turned to me.
“Anna, will you regret this? If you will, we can postpone the wedding.”
I looked quietly at him. Years of charity work had given him an air of quiet compassion, much like Old Mrs. Anderson’s. Compared to the Miller brothers, with their selfish hypocrisy, Philip was a true gentleman, as refined as jade. No wonder my mother had
encouraged me to accept this marriage.
I reached out, tracing his delicate features, and stood on my toes to kiss his lips.
“I don’t want to say things like ‘I regret not meeting you sooner‘ because I don’t regret any decisions I’ve made. But now, I can’t wait to start a family with you.”
Philip froze momentarily, then quickly wrapped his arms around me, deepening the kiss.
True love doesn’t need twenty years of waiting. A brief encounter can indeed become
omething real. When the right person appears, marriage, children–everything falls into place naturally, with no need for delay.
