Chapter 19 – Don’t Forget the First Rule, Joan
It was obvious that the old man was going to declare for them to get married the King’s way, but Joanna could not accept living the rest of her life with a man she felt nothing for except pity for the condition of his legs.
"Grandpa, I don’t like crowds. A small wedding has always been my dream."
"Lies," Logan countered, directly exposing her. Joanna must have forgotten, but he hadn’t. "You told me before that you were saving up for a big wedding."
"That was before my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Dreams change," Joanna shot back, the old man forced a smile.
If only she had known that Logan would be here and was indeed the younger brother of Alex, she would have prepared better. Grandpa was too smart not to know what was happening, making his declaration nonetheless.
"It’s true that the extended family will not accept a secret marriage. If you can’t sacrifice your preferences to marry the King’s way, then I’m afraid this marriage would not be accepted," he declared with a sad expression.
Before his first son, Mathias, was killed, he had made the promise to join Alex and Adelaide together when they were older.
It seemed to have happened by what he thought was fate, but judging from Logan’s words, this must be a marriage with great benefits and was not welcome.
Alex could not lose everything because of a flamboyant wedding. With the Bakers being on Grandpa’s sour side now, nothing would save them from his attack, and that would make Joanna happy.
"Grandpa, I would like to have a word with my wife, in private," Alex suddenly said. The old man beckoned to the guest room downstairs. "To save time, you can use that guest room."
Alex and Joanna left for the privacy of the guest room as Logan helped himself to more wine. Mia and Fiona did not know their stand, only wishing that the old man was not there.