Chapter 16
After I toured the manor, I grew very fond of Patrick.
When he opened the door to the drawing–room, I gaped at the sketches.
He said he looked for me for a long time after he was discharged from the hospital.
Our faces had been smeared in the fire. We didn’t know exactly what each other looked like. So, he drew me as he remembered.
At my alma mater’s ceremony, Patrick saw a picture of the outstanding graduates and thought the girl looked like me.
He came to the south to repay me and realized the little girl had grown up.
He finally found me. The years of searching were worth it.
Then, he knew I had a boyfriend.
He repressed his longing and went back to Freyford City.
One word with me or one step closer to me, and he might lose control over his heart.
Then, he designed this manor for me and sketched portraits of me.
The sketches filled the room.
I’d seen the photos in Antonio’s safe. I could imagine how Patrick had loved and missed me.
It turned out that somewhere in the world, a man had admired me so.
0011
If Ian and my mom hadn’t decided to arrange my marriage, Patrick would never have seen me.
Noticing that I was absent–minded, Patrick rubbed his fingers nervously.
“Grace, did I scare you?”
He was flustered. I could see how cautious he was through his eyes. I was touched.
“No. These drawings are splendid. I love them.”
After I accepted the arrangement, I didn’t expect much of happiness from my future marriage.
But lan guaranteed that he and my mom chose Patrick among tons of candidates. So, I figured even if he wasn’t perfect for me, he couldn’t be
terrible.
It was indeed a surprise to find a husband deeply in love with me.
Patrick’s eyes brightened when I said I loved those sketches.
I saw reflections of me in his eyes.
He only had eyes for me.
They said eyes didn’t lie. His stare made my heart race.
Then, like a magician, Patrick brought me gifts from behind.
“These are birthday gifts for you.”
They were for the birthdays he had missed.
There were customized fancy car key rings he designed.
There were also sets of gemstone accessories he thought I would like.
Each gift was carefully prepared.
At last, it was a diamond ring.
Out of the blue, Patrick went down on one knee.
“Grace, will you marry me?”
Every cell in me screamed, “Marry him! Marry him!”
Yet I hesitated.
Although I was over Antonio, I had loved him for five years, after all.
Patrick held me dear to his heart. He had always loved me, only me. This marriage was unfair to him.
Patrick seemed to have read my mind.
“It’s common for a girl to meet unreliable men. Now, you’re back in Freyford City. That means you’re ready to say goodbye to the past.
“If only I had found you sooner. You deserve the best.
“Grace, will you give me a chance to spend the rest of my life with you?”
He looked at me expectantly.
I was moved when he said I deserved the best.
Yes, I should give Patrick and myself a chance.
The size of the ring was just right.
The smile on Patrick’s face set my heart racing even faster.
lan, who had made himself scarce, suddenly applauded. He grinned from
ear to ear
“Grace, do you like it? Romantic, isn’t it? Even I wanna get married.”
I rolled my eyes to him. He stopped quipping and urged us to go home for
lunch.
