The Price of His Youth

The more Lucian spoke, the more justified he felt.

Then he pointed at me and began to berate me.

“Can you stop being so narrow-minded and shrewish? Marisol is my closest friend. She’s been so distressed she’s thought about dying, and all you care about is a stupid dress?”

At that moment, Marisol shrank back slightly on the sofa, tears welling up.

She timidly tugged at Lucian’s sleeve, her voice trembling with sobs.

“Don’t blame Eva, it’s all my fault… I don’t deserve to live… I shouldn’t have had such selfish hopes…

“I’ll take it off right now, Eva. Please don’t be angry, I’ll leave immediately…”

As she spoke, she made a show of reaching for the laces at the back of the wedding gown, her hands trembling as if she were utterly fragile.

Lucian was heartbroken at the sight; he grabbed her hands to stop her, then turned to glare at me viciously.

“Take it off? Leave it on! Eva, look at yourself—where is your grace, your dignity? If you keep pushing Marisol like this, then don’t bother with the wedding!”

Watching him look ready to fight me over an outsider, I suddenly found it almost laughable.

This was the man I had loved for seven years, the man I had supported with everything I had.

I took a deep breath, and in that instant, the surging anger and grievance within me cooled into something distant and still.

“Fine.”

I looked at Lucian, the corner of my lips curling into a mocking smile.

“Since your bond is so unbreakable, and you’re so eager to commemorate your youth, then I won’t play the villain.”

Lucian froze for a moment, clearly not expecting me to give in so easily.

A flicker of satisfaction passed through his eyes, and his tone softened slightly.

“That’s more like it. Be a little more generous. Don’t worry, tomorrow’s wedding will go on as planned. I’ll still marry you.”

I said no more and turned to leave.

Behind me, I heard Lucian comforting Marisol.

“It’s alright now. That’s just her temper—she’ll calm down with a bit of coaxing. Let’s keep playing…”

After walking out of the apartment building, the night air felt cool against my skin.

I got into my car and dialed my assistant’s number.

“Edwin, notify the legal department to draft a withdrawal agreement tonight.

“And contact the medical team currently waiting at the airport in Argenfall.

“Then, cancel Miriam Drake’s surgery arrangements, have the team disband on the spot, and I’ll cover the penalty.”

I ended the call and looked at my reflection in the rearview mirror, my expression utterly devoid of emotion.

'Lucian, I hope that after tomorrow, you can still afford to pay the price.' I said inwardly.