fantishu
Chapter 1619
Chapter 1619
Chapter 1619
Zavier’s gaze settled on Skyler, and everyone in the room took note.
Seeing this, Hudson quickly steered the conversation towards Skyler. “Skyler’s violin playing is so exquisite, she must have been practicing for years.”
Barbara chuckled. “Sir, we really value artistic development in our family. Skyler started learning various instruments at the tender age of three, and now she’s mastered them all. Just recently she was accepted into a prestigious international conservatory, but her father and I still prefer that she attends university here in the Capital, so she can spend time cultivating a relationship with Zavier.”
Hudson nodded in approval. “The Rivera family indeed needs a lady of such caliber.”
Barbara continued, “Skyler being chosen by you from so many girls is indeed a stroke of luck.”
The elders discussed back and forth as if they were negotiating over commodities..
Zavier’s eyes returned to Skyler’s face. She sat upright, her pristine face adorned with an impeccable smile, yet he could tell she longed to attend the music academy.e2
She was probably bowing to family pressure and for the sake of the family’s interests, she had no choice but to study in the Capital.
Zavier smirked, thinking that he and she were indeed a pair of sorry souls, neither having any interest in the other, yet being pushed together by their meddling families.
As he was musing, he heard Barbara’s tone suddenly shift, “Gramps, why not let the young ones take a stroll in the garden? Let them nurture their affection.”
Skyler tugged gently at Barbara’s sleeve, but Barbara ignored her. “Skyler’s eighteen now, a proper adult.”
The implication couldn’t be clearer.
Skyler clutched at her own sleeve, her face paling yet still forcing a smile.
Zavier thought cynically, they were indeed eager to throw her into his bed, but he had no intention of letting that happen. He stood up, leading the way outside. “Let’s take that walk then.”
Skyler didn’t move until Barbara pinched her and whispered harshly in her ear, “What are you waiting for? Remember my advice and don’t forget why you’re joining the Rivera family.”
Without a word, Skyler stood and followed Zavier out.
Leaving the living room and its watchful eyes behind, and breathing in the fresh air, Skyler felt much more at ease. But upon looking up, she met Zavier’s piercing gaze.
Though he was only two years her senior, his gaze was so intense it made her instinctively step back.
Zavier, amused by her skittishness, teased, “Scaredy-cat, sent to the Rivera family to be my wife. You won’t even know what hit you.”
Skyler bit her lip, remaining silent. She never imagined herself as his wife.
Zavier commanded, “Come with me.”
Skyler obediently followed.
Deep in the garden, Zavier halted and turned to look at her squarely. “Do you not want to marry me?” Instinctively, Skyler nodded, but then, recalling her mother’s admonitions, she shook her head
vehemently. Zavier observed the silent girl and the prospect of marrying such a mute infuriated him. “Are you mute?”
His shout was loud, startling Skyler into retreating further. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
She looked so pitifully frightened, and Zavier’s disdain was palpable, yet when he spoke again, he softened his tone. “It’s your parents who are throwing you into the fire, not me. I’m not going to devour you. You’re afraid of the wrong person.”
Still, Skyler remained silent.
Zavier ran out of patience and got straight to the point. “You don’t want to marry me, and I don’t want to marry you. But born into families like ours, we don’t have the power to decide our marriages until we come into our own. We have to follow the arrangements of our elders.”
Skyler knew all too well. Ever since she could remember, she was aware that she had no say in her own life. Her family constantly reminded her to bear in mind her duty, to strive for the enduring prosperity of the Blue family.