Silence Was My Goodbye , Now Watch Me Rise

That “suitable match” meant total exile.

She wanted me to marry someone who posed zero threat to the Delgado line of succession.

Either one of Gloria's sworn enemies, or some disgraced heiress living abroad.

The moment I was married off, even if Grandmother wanted to hand the family over to me, she'd have no legitimate grounds left.

Gloria held immense power in Kingsport. Without her approval, no one would dare accept a marriage arrangement with me.

Six in the morning. The emergency wing of the Delgado private hospital.

I'd just come out from having my dislocated shoulder reset when I ran into them in the corridor.

Gloria was helping Jayden out of the car. A square of gauze was taped over his ankle.

He walked unsteadily, brow pinched tight.

Sara Pruitt, Minnie, and May trailed behind, arms loaded with expensive supplements.

“Solomon?” Jayden spotted me and his eyes went red instantly.

His gaze dropped to the sling across my chest. “What happened to you? Was it because I took the pocket watch last night? Are you upset?”

Gloria looked up. The second her eyes landed on my sling, her gaze sharpened.

Minnie stood beside Jayden, her face ashen.

May leaned against the nurses' station, arms folded.

“Getting a wound treated.” I turned to leave.

“Solomon.” Jayden called after me. “I heard Mother's already picked a wife for you? Three days from now?”

The air in the corridor went still.

Gloria's expression darkened instantly. “Three days?”

She closed the distance in two strides. “Solomon Delgado, are you done with this nonsense? When did I ever say I was holding a wedding in three days?”

I stared at the tile beneath my feet and said nothing.

Less than five hours had passed since the conversation in the study ended.

Jayden hadn't just gotten hold of the information. He'd delivered it right in front of Gloria with surgical precision.

“Gloria……”

Tears spilled from Jayden's eyes. “If you really are going to marry Solomon, I'll be happy for you. I just think it's so sudden……”

Something unhinged flickered through Gloria's gaze.

She turned to Sara. “Take him inside for the exam first. Don't let the wound reopen.”