Water rushed from the kitchen faucet, sshing into the sink.


    But the room was silent.


    For a long while, nothing but the sound of running water filled the space. Forrest stood there, frozen, lost in thought, and M''s uncertainty grew. "...Is that not okay?" she finally ventured.


    "It''s okay!" Forrest blurted out immediately.


    How could he hesitate now?


    He reached out instinctively for M''s hand, only to realize, halfway there, that his fingers were still covered in soapy suds. He pulled back, awkward, searching for his voice. He wanted to ask her why she suddenly wanted to go public, but then- did that even matter?


    "When?" was all he asked.


    This time, it was M who was caught off guard. She''d expected him to agree, but not so quickly. After a long pause, she blurted, "... Three days?"


    Forrest blinked. "Three days?"


    Wasn''t that a bit too soon?


    He frowned, his words tumbling out faster now. "Isn''t that rushing things? There''s so much to prepare-I just don''t think we''ll have enough time. And I haven''t even proposed yet-"


    "Don''t panic." M reached for calm, takingfort in his earnestness. "It''s just an engagement. Let''s get that settled first. When we actually get married, we can do it right, have a big celebration-"


    But Forrest shook his head, cutting her off. "No. The engagement matters, too. I want to give you the best."


    This was their marriage.


    A milestone in both their lives.


    He wanted every step to be perfect for her. Nothing about this should be rushed.


    M stared at him, her heart twisting with emotion—and then a wave of guilt washed over her, impossible to push down. She grabbed his soapy hand without thinking.


    "Forrest, I... I''m sorry."


    "But it has to be in three days."


    Forrest''s heart, which had been


    pounding wildly, began to settle. He


    realized something was wrong


    He


    turned his hand, holding M''s tightly, his voice gentle and steady. "Mimi, tell me what happened."


    ...


    After listening to what had happened that day, Forrest''s brow knit together in concern.


    He''d never imagined Lysander could be so shameless, so utterly without limits... Even if it worked in his favor, he hated that M had been put through this.


    He squeezed her hand in reassurance.


    "So," he asked quietly, "you want to get engaged quickly—to cut ties with the Montgomery family for good?"


    M nodded, then shook her head.


    It wasn''t just that.


    But right now, all she could say was,


    "I didn''t want to do this so soon. I wanted to take it slow. But Cossio will be here any day now, and I can''t trust the Montgomerys. When Adrian got into trouble, they just


    stood aside, did nothing. Lreally can''t trust them anymore? I want to make a clean break with the Montgomery family before Cossio


    arrives... I''m sorry, Forrest. I''m using you."


    She lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes.


    Softly, she added, "If you want to say no, I understand."


    Half a minute passed. Then she heard him sigh, and felt her hand tugged gently beneath the faucet. Forrestced his fingers through hers, carefully rinsing away the suds, his touch warm and attentive.


    Once their hands were clean, he lifted her chin with damp fingers, meeting her gaze. M finally saw the look on Forrest''s face-no anger, no disappointment, just a helpless, gentle smile.


    "Mimi," he said quietly, "I''ve told you before: you can ask anything of me. And honestly-who else would be silly enough to spell out their ns like this? Let me say this onest time I''m more than willing to do whatever helps you. Don''t feel guilty; I''m d to be of use to you. As long. as you''re good to me, that''s all I need."