Born Again for the Nation

Between Blood and Honor

When I woke again, dusk had already fallen. My parents, my aunt, and the Easton and Langdon families were all gathered in the room.

The moment I opened my eyes, Jude's mother, Catherine, hurried over to help me sit up. "Oh, sweetheart, you're awake," she said kindly.

But I pulled away from her touch and threw myself into my mother's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Anyone watching would have thought I was a poor girl whose heart had been completely shattered.

Catherine awkwardly withdrew her hand. "Marina, dear, what's done is done. Why don't we… let your cousin be with Jude too? Don't worry, the title of Mrs. Langdon will still belong to you."

Then, she turned toward Jude and Erin, standing behind her. "Our idea is to let Erin live with you. That way, you sisters can support each other, and no one's reputation has to suffer. What do you say?"

My father let out a cold snort. "What a clever scheme you've cooked up. You think I'll let my daughter marry into your family after this? Dream on!"

The Eastons didn't look pleased either. After all, their soon-to-be daughter-in-law had just thrown herself at another man. If that rumor spread, what would people think of them?

Hearing she couldn't marry Jude, Erin refused outright. She had worked too hard to climb her way to Jude—she hadn't done all this just to end up as his "mistress."

Sniffling, she nestled into Jude's arms and cried pitifully. "As long as Marina can forgive Jude, I'm willing to be his mistress. I just don't want her to hate him because of me."

At that, my aunt burst into tears beside her. "Marina, if you don't forgive your cousin, she'll be doomed!"

"Enough!" my father barked, slamming his hand on the table. "Look at the daughter you raised! She brought disgrace to our entire family and still has the nerve to cry here?"

He had always been tolerant of his sister, overlooking her mistakes out of pity for her being a widow. But now, seeing how she had indulged her daughter to the point of shamelessness, even his patience had run dry.

Jude's heart ached at the sight of his beloved Erin in tears. He frowned and turned to me. "I've already promised to make you my legal wife. What more do you want? Must you really drive Erin to her doom before you'll stop?"

Before he could say another word, his father struck him hard across the face. "Shut up, you wretched bastard! You have no right to speak here!"

My father looked at the pair of them coldly. "Save your little act. My daughter doesn't need your pity—or your family's marriage."

That slap seemed to ignite something in Jude. He glared at his father, his voice sharp and defiant. "I'll marry no one but Erin. If you like Marina so much, marry her yourself!"

At that, Mason's father, George, who had been quietly observing from the side, let out a mocking laugh. "So, this is the fine upbringing of the Langdon family?"

Then, he turned toward my father. "Francis, it seems both our families are victims in this mess. Why don't we join hands through marriage? What do you say?"

My father stared at him, utterly incredulous. "You take this for a marketplace bargain?!"

George chuckled. "C'mon now. It's true our family's reputation has suffered today—but your daughter is the one true victim here. Tell me, how could she ever marry well after this?"

My father was about to refuse when I suddenly spoke up, my voice calm amid the tension. "What exactly would I gain from marrying into your family?"