"...Well, you''re certainly taking this lightly."


    Miranda muttered, flopping back on the bed with her arms spread wide. She sighed, "Honestly, what''s the point in worrying? How many marriages in this world are truly about love anyway? Finding someone decent is already more than most people get."


    M paused, her heart tightening just a little.


    While the two friends were tucked away in their room, whispering secrets, someone knocked at the guest room across the hall. Forrest opened the door to find the butler standing there, wearing his usual professional smile.


    "Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Suthend would like to see you in her study for some tea."


    Forrest hesitated for a split second. So, this is it, he thought. No wonder she ignored him at dinner-she''d been waiting for this moment.


    "Of course. Let me get myself together."


    He said he needed a moment, but really, he''d been ready for this all night. He hadn''t changed out of his suit after dinner, half-expecting this summons. Straightening his jacket, he followed the butler down the hall.


    The study was filled with roses in every shade imaginable, their fragrance subtle but unmistakable. Clearly, Mrs. Suthend had a fondness for them.


    Forrest stepped inside.


    The door closed slowly behind him; the butler didn''t follow.


    "Mrs. Suthend," he greeted her formally.


    "Not calling me Jade anymore?" From her seat at the head of the room, Jade cradled a delicate porcin teacup, taking a small sip of her ck tea. Her tone was cool.


    "I wouldn''t dare."


    She gave a cold littleugh. "You seem daring enough to me. But I suppose M''s not here, so now you''re suddenly all respectful."


    He didn''t flinch. "That''s true."


    "At least you''re honest," Jade set her cup down, her tone shifting abruptly. "Let''s get to it—whose idea was this charade? Yours, or hers?"


    Forrest hesitated. There was no way he could lie to her.


    "It was my idea." He stood tall, his words clear and steady. "M was afraid you''d worry yourself sick, and I—I care for her deeply. So I took the chance toe up with this n, hoping for an opportunity. It was my mistake."


    Jade seemed almost surprised by his candor. She fell silent for a long moment.


    Eventually, she asked, "So you say you love my M. How much? When did this start? How long has it been?"


    "I first met her when I was fifteen..." Forrest didn''t dodge the question. He told her everything, in and simple.


    Jade''s lips curled into a cold smile. "So, your family''s a mess, isn''t it?" She zeroed in on the point—divorced parents, each remarried... a tangled web.


    "Yes."


    He didn''t try to defend himself. "But I''ve sorted out those matters. They won''t


    affect M, and those people will never show up in her life."


    "And why should I believe you?" Jade''s voice was mild, but her eyes were sharp. "I know better than


    anyone what a disaster a messet


    family can be. One wrong step and it drags everyone down with it M could do so much better. Why should it be you? Because of your empty promises? Or this so-called heartfelt devotion you''re showing me now? You ought to know, sometimes a rtionship built on mutual benefit is more reliable than a heart you can''t control."


    Forrest''s expression didn''t change. "If you were only interested in a marriage of convenience, Mrs. Suthend, you wouldn''t be hesitating like this. You want someone who will cherish M, not just someone who can offer her a cold, transactional deal."


    He paused, then went on, "And as for what I can offer-I won''t boast about my future in research, but I think my current standing is more than enough."


    He took a breath, his tone firming. "I can''t change the past, or the family I came from. All I can do is focus on the present. And maybe it sounds harsh, but for a long time, I haven''t really considered that ce my home. If I ever get another chance at a family, it''ll be with M. She''ll be my only home."


    The study was silent.


    Jade didn''tment on his words. Instead, she changed the subject. "Let''s talk about your career. I know what you do, and I know you just finished an important project for the federal government. That project alone will keep you from leaving the country for over a year. With your ability, you''re bound for the top of your field, and when you get there, your whereabouts will be closely guarded. You''ll find it harder and harder to travel."


    She paused, her gaze sharp as ss.


    "But M-her future, her ambitions, they belong on the world stage. She needs to go?`international if she''s going to reach her full potential So how do you n to be there for her? Will you have her constantly flying back and forth, never able to settle down? Or do you expect her to put her dreams aside for you again, just like she did for her family in the past? Should she be the one making all the sacrifices?"


    Every word struck home.


    For a long moment, Forrest was silent. Then he answered, his voice steady. "I


    won''t give up my career."


    With that, Jade set her teacup down with a decisive tter.