Part 54

Mrs. Monica looked at her youngest son with a stunned expression, as did Haisley. She didn't want to believe Gilbert's 'assumptions' and avoid building her hopes on uncertain grounds.

It was just Gilbert's 'speculation.' In reality, Nathan had decided to marry Loretta, which meant he didn't want her. Because if Nathan did want her, he wouldn't rashly choose to marry a woman he didn't desire. If he truly loved her, he would choose Haisley over his business.

Shouldn't love work that way?

Or perhaps Nathan relied more on his rationality than his emotions? Yes, of course, marrying Haisley would offer Nathan no benefits compared to marrying Loretta, who could provide him with everything.

Haisley sank back into despair.

What she heard from Gilbert did momentarily lift her spirits, but the harsh reality swiftly brought her crashing down, not just back to earth, but into a seemingly bottomless pit.

For Nathan, she indeed seemed unimportant, not worth fighting for. And that certainty fur