Chapter 149 - 147: My Older Brother Is Going to Marry My Younger Sister
The young man’s voice suddenly cut off.
He looked up, disbelief rippling through eyes that were usually as calm as still water.
Mia Grant’s lips curved into a smile as she reassured him, "I accept."
"Right now, I really do need this opportunity."
"Besides, I’ve told you before, you’re my first choice."
"If this is the way to solve my problem, I have no reason to refuse you."
"But, Felix Sinclair, this isn’t fair to you." She slowly shook her head. "I can’t be sure about the future, yet I’ll be occupying the role of your fiancée for a long time to come."
"For me, there’s no downside to this. The one who really needs to think this through carefully is you."
"It doesn’t matter to me, but..."
"It’s not." The young man smiled faintly. "To be able to leave a mark on your life, even for just a brief moment, would be my honor."
Mia’s hands, resting on her knees, clenched tighter and tighter. She felt the sharp pain of her nails digging into her flesh, but she didn’t loosen her grip.
’It seems to be the only way to stay clear-headed.’
After a long silence, Felix was the one to break the awkwardness. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you with what I said."
"I know." She cut him off with a smile. "I spaced out because I suddenly remembered something from a long, long... a very long time in the past. You might not believe this, but it feels like it was in another century, or... another world."
"I’ve always believed that every gift from fate has a price tag secretly attached."
"But, but—"
"Very few people have been so unreservedly... good to me. Like you."
What moved her was that Felix had never asked for anything in return.
Except for that uncontrollable kiss when they reunited.
He was like her shadow, silently following behind her. Even when he occasionally walked by her side, he never abruptly crossed the line.
He had no other motive; he just wanted to follow her.
She had always thought she would never fall for someone with Felix’s temperament.
Aloof, quiet, rigid.
He was fine from a distance, worthy of admiration.
But to have him by her side would be utterly dull.
’People are always so greedy.’
Only now did she understand that rigid people are the most sincere.
’His overtures are devoid of technique; he never takes shortcuts. He’s like someone slowly stumbling along a steep cliff, without any sweet talk. He holds nothing back, digging his heart out for you to see.’
’Then he points to it, smiles shyly, and says, "Look, it’s beating. It’s beating for you, and only for you. So, I love you."’
’"But you don’t have to mind it. If you don’t like it, if you don’t want to see it, you can just toss it off the cliff. It’s all okay."’
’"You can do as you please with my body and soul. When you like me, you can take my hand and stroke my cheek. When you don’t, you can shut me in a corner."’
’"I won’t leave. I belong to you."’
’"You can confirm this with me again and again, in any way you want."’
Mia Grant was not made of wood, nor was she an emotionless machine.
Even though she considered herself long since numb, her blood still surged wildly when she heard Felix’s words.
She was truly afraid of dealing with someone so sincere. Before a person like that, she felt hopelessly inadequate, utterly defeated.
「The engagement party was moved up to the end of the month.」
When Ian Sinclair heard the news, he felt like the sky was falling.
Just last night when they parted ways, Mia Grant had told him the engagement party would be canceled.
How could he wake up to find that not only was it not canceled, but it had been moved up?
He couldn’t find Felix, and he couldn’t reach Mia.
He had no idea where the happy little couple was at that moment. He rushed home in a huff, intending to demand an explanation from his mother.
BANG! The young man threw his car keys onto the coffee table.
The hand Mrs. Sinclair was using to hold her teacup trembled, and a few drops of liquid splashed onto the back of it. Her expression changed.
"You little brat! What’s gotten into you?!"
Ian, his face cold, picked up a handkerchief from the table, wiped the water from her hand, and then slammed the handkerchief back down.
He didn’t even bother with the sofa, instead plopping himself right onto the coffee table. He knit his brows and stared at his mom. "Ms. May Jacobs, who’s the one that’s lost their mind here?!"
"Ian." From the top of the stairs, Mr. Sinclair’s deep voice reprimanded him for his disrespectful behavior.
Ian turned his head for a glance and reluctantly greeted his dad.
Turning back, his tone softened as he tugged on his mom’s sleeve. "Mom! What’s going on? We agreed to cancel the engagement party, who agreed to move it up?!"
"Your brother, your future sister-in-law, and your dad and I all agreed." Mrs. Sinclair, shedding her usual elegance, put her teacup down heavily. She crossed her arms and sneered, "What’s wrong? If you’re not happy about it, go ahead and call the cops."
Ian: "..."
"I find it strange, too. It’s your brother’s engagement party, and even he isn’t this worked up. But look at you. Ever since you heard the news, you’ve been running around like a monkey on drugs."
"How many times have I told you? You should learn from your brother. Studying hard is more important than anything. Just look at you now, all brawn and no brains. What a sight."
"...We’re just talking, why bring personal attacks into it?" the poor pup grumbled, feeling wronged.
Mrs. Sinclair snorted. "If you weren’t looking for trouble, would I be acting like this?"
"I really don’t get it. What are you so dissatisfied about? What, you want to get engaged too? You don’t want your brother to get engaged before you?"
Her two sons were twins, born just minutes apart. Fearing they would feel the family was being biased if they compared things, everyone had always given them the same amount of love and attention growing up.
But there were inevitably times when one of them would push their luck, like now.
"If that’s the case, then go find a girl you can get engaged to! You do nothing productive all day. You might as well just sleep with that stupid basketball!"
"..."
Shot down again and again, Ian’s breath hitched. He was on the verge of shouting that if Felix wasn’t getting engaged, he could have brought Mia home to get engaged to him!
But those words... he couldn’t bring himself to say them.
He knew his mom had a very good impression of Mia. Just a couple of days ago, she was muttering to his dad that she really didn’t understand where the public got their information, creating such a negative image of Mia.
So, if his family found out that he was also involved with Mia, it would basically confirm the public rumors.
’This is such a headache.’
"Who says I don’t have a girlfriend!" Ian steeled himself and went for broke. "I want to get engaged before Felix! Why does he have to be first in everything since we were kids? This time, I’m going first!"
"?" Mrs. Sinclair’s eyes widened. "You have a girlfriend?"
Seeing that his expression didn’t look like he was lying, Mrs. Sinclair and Mr. Sinclair exchanged a glance and fell into thought.
After a pause, Mrs. Sinclair cleared her throat and softened her tone. "Ian, I’m afraid Mom can’t agree to that this time."
"Why not?" Ian asked, displeased.
"Calm down." Mrs. Sinclair hadn’t wanted to bring it up, but seeing him like this, she had no choice. "Actually, it’s not what you think."
"The engagement is happening, but... it’s in name only. Do you understand?"
"On paper, Mia will be your sister-in-law. But in reality, she’ll be your sister."
Ian: "You’re saying my brother is going to marry my sister?... Are we even speaking English right now?"