Elodie didn''t know the specific reasons, but she could see that Esmeralda was deeply hurt. After all, this was the person she had set her heart on since she was a child.


    Everyone had always said she would be Fleming''s wife, but now, after more than a decade, almost two, it was Esmeralda who was making this decision. She could only imagine the pain Esmeralda was going through.


    "Have you discussed it with him?" Elodie asked softly, moving closer.


    Esmeralda thought for a moment, unsure how to answer. Was it a discussion if she had informed him and he had agreed? It didn''t feel like one.


    Even though Fleming had never said anything, she knew he was happy with this oue. This way, he didn''t have to be the bad guy.


    "I guess so. I''ll take care of it as soon as possible. Then I''ll be truly free, with no love to weigh me down!" she said, waving her hand dismissively and downing a ss of sake from the table.


    The forced casualness was painful for Elodie to watch. Esmeralda and Fleming''s situation was even moreplicated than hers and Jarrod''s. It was a bond that had been forged since childhood.


    From a very young age, Esmeralda had been told she would marry Fleming. To voluntarily sever such a deeply ingrained belief was like tearing a part of herself away.


    All she could do was support Esmeralda.


    Alexander rubbed his ss, looking at Esmeralda. "There are plenty of people out there who are better than him, people who will understand you and love you. When ites to love, you should never sell yourself short."


    Esmeralda froze.


    Jarrod, however, slowly looked up and nced at Alexander.


    They had nned to have Cantonese food, but halfway through the meal, Esmeralda got a call from her family, telling her toe home immediately. Thinking it was an emergency, Esmeralda had to rush out of the dinner.


    The drive to her house took about twenty minutes. She floored it.


    As soon as she walked in, she saw her father sitting in the living room, watching the


    news.


    "Dad! Why did you make me rush back? Didn''t you say it was an emergency?" Esmeraldained.


    Esmeralda''s father nced at her. "Look at what you''re wearing. Go upstairs and change into something more formal."


    Esmeralda frowned. "What for?"


    "Mr. Mercer and his family areing over today. We''re having dinner together to finalize the details of your and Fleming''s wedding."


    As soon as her father finished speaking, Esmeralda''s expression stiffened. "Dad, they''re already in Eldermere? No, I told you, we need to put this on hold. Fleming and I aren''t nning to..."


    "Do you think marriage is a game?


    You can just call it off whenever you want?" her father said, displeased. "You''ve thrown tantrums like this before when you''ve had too much to drink, saying you wouldn''t marry Fleming. Weren''t those just empty words every time?"


    Esmeralda was getting desperate. "This time is different! We''ve really broken up!"


    "Don''t talk nonsense! Your uncle and


    his family are already on their way. They''ll be here in about ten minutes. They''vee all the way from


    Brightshore, you can''t act like &


    her father''s tone suddenly became stern, not allowing for any more inappropriate talk.


    Esmeralda''s face fell. "Is Fleminging too?"


    "How can we finalize things if he''s not here?"


    Esmeralda felt a blow to her chest, a sense of helplessness washing over her.


    Fleming received the news just as he was dropping Lucy off. Lucy got out of the car and looked at his calm expression. "Aren''t you in a hurry?" she asked, amused. "Aren''t you afraid you''ll bete?"


    Fleming looked at her. "Late for what?"


    Lucy checked the time. "My mom told me that Esmeralda''s family kas arranged a meeting to discuss your wedding. Everyone is gathering ?t her house today. You have to go too, right? Didn''t Esmeralda tell you?"