chapter 8

"It's not like that!" Alban explained urgently.

"Nico, I've been neglectful, I'm sorry! I've been attending an international industry conference abroad all this time."

He added with a faint smile, "Do you remember? Actually, this isn't our first meeting…"

"What? You've met me before? That's impossible!" I exclaimed.

"Don't you remember? Six years ago, at Zoxpolis University, I asked you for directions…"

Oh!

I finally remembered.

Six years ago, on the first day of freshman registration at Zoxpolis University, a blond, blue-eyed foreign boy with fair skin asked me for directions.

At the time, I didn't pay him much attention.

Back then, all the foreign boys looked the same to me.

It turned out that the foreign student was him.

Seeing my realization, he asked excitedly, "You remember now?"

I nodded.

"How long did you stay in Stuport?" I asked.

"Three years," he replied.

A maid explained, "After Mr. Austin returned to Entogow, he did everything possible to make this marriage alliance happen, which is why it went smoothly."

I remembered Keith telling me that the Austin family had used both persuasion and pressure to get him to agree to the marriage alliance, which made me smile.

That evening, Austin pulled a bank check from a drawer and proceeded to introduce me to all the properties he owned.

"Nico, you're my wife, so you have the right to know these. It all belongs to us."

His eyes were filled with sincerity.

"From now on, if you need anything, just tell me."

My eyes immediately welled up. "Alban, thank you!"

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me lightly on the lips.

"Nico, I love you!"

From my close friend who kept in touch with me, I learned about my family back home.

Felicia's dream of marrying Eric had been dashed.

On the wedding day, after her illegitimate status was exposed, Eric completely broke ties with the Chapman family.

Meanwhile, thanks to the scheme I had set up before leaving, Chapman Group's stock plummeted, and the company was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Keith yelled at Felicia, realizing he couldn't even win a man's heart, and the father and daughter ended up turning against each other.

With no other options, Keith treated me as his last hope.

But I was already prepared to sever ties with the Chapmans completely and had changed all my contact information.

That day, I was walking the dog in the garden when a figure suddenly appeared behind me.

I looked closely—it was Eric.

"Nicole, I finally found you!" he murmured.

I sat down on a nearby stone bench. "Long time no see!"

Eric hurried up to me. "Nicole, are you okay?"

I glanced down at the dog lazily lying at my feet. "You already saw everything."

"Nicole, I didn't marry Felicia," he said urgently.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked curiously.

"Nicole, it was my fault before. I thought Felicia was your sister, and I blamed you for being harsh to her, for not valuing sisterly affection…

"She deceived me! She kept telling me that you were her older sister and that she was trying to maintain a good sisterly relationship with you, while you ignored her…"

The dog wriggled, trying to leave, and I stood abruptly, cutting him off impatiently.

"Eric, is there any point in telling me this now? You wanted me to go abroad for the marriage alliance and marry Felicia yourself—this is exactly the outcome you wanted.

"Now I'm living well. Why are you here?

"Just leave! I don't want to see you again," I said, taking the dog and walking off.

Eric chased after me. "Nicole, I finally found you. I just want you to know, the one I love has always been you!

"In my heart, you are the one I'm meant to marry, and Felicia… I always considered her a sister.

"Nicole, you're in a foreign country alone, facing too many unknowns. Give me one more chance—I'll love you and take care of you properly!"

"Enough! Stop talking! I can't listen to this!"

Eric's face went pale.

At that moment, Alban walked over carrying a plate of fruit.

"Nico, it's time for some fruit! The doctor said eating more fruit will make the baby's skin healthier!"

As he spoke, he used a fork to feed me a piece of peach.

Eric froze instantly. "Baby? Nicole, you're pregnant?"

Austin spoke in Stuportian, "Yes, sir. My wife is 12 weeks pregnant. Did you come on behalf of your wife to ask about pregnancy precautions?"

Eric's face turned pale and ashen.

"Nicole, do you really not want me?"

I nodded, expressionless. "It's over between us completely."

After Eric left, Austin tapped my nose playfully. "Good girl, smart move refusing him, or else… Now tell me, who do you really love?"

"You," I said seriously.

"Really?"

"Absolutely," I said, letting the word linger.

Without another word, he scooped me up horizontally and spun me around in excitement.

In his arms, I giggled with joy.

My laughter echoed far and wide.