The Billionaire Who Saved Me

“Take responsibility for Garrett. Marry him.”

Elice must be dreaming or hallucinating. Because it seemed completely nonsensical that Daphne would say something so absurd. Marriage? Between her and Garrett?

“W-what?”

Daphne sighed deeply and reached for the teacup in front of her. Instead of answering the question, she savored her first sip of the now chilled, reddish-golden liquid. No longer too hot, as it had been when first served.

There was a slight exhale as Daphne enjoyed the drink, letting each drop moisten her throat, which felt dry from the conversation they had just had.

“I’m sure I made myself very clear. But if you need a replay, that’s fine. I’ll say it again,” Daphne said casually. “I want you to marry Garrett.”

Elice certainly didn’t need a second shock to make her heart stop beating inside. She had heard it clearly. But she really did not understand.

“M-marry Garrett?”

Daphne nodded. “Aren’t you Garrett’s girlfriend?”

It was a question that made Elice more and more confused. Making her even more confused about the situation at hand. But Daphne didn’t care.

“Everyone has seen your closeness. And Garrett has repeatedly told me that you are his girlfriend. So, I see no reason why you two should not get married.”

“But-”

“I’ll take care of everything,” Daphne interrupted quickly. “You don’t need to worry. But don’t forget to inform your mother and aunt that you’re getting married soon.”

Elice frowned. She seemed to have caught something strange.

“Do you know who I’m living with?”

Daphne blinked once. “There’s nothing I don’t know about you, Elice. When your name came up with Garrett this morning, I knew a lot about you. Everything. Although there might be one or two things that slipped my mind.”

Saying that, Daphne looked uncomfortable. As if she was holding back an irritation that Elice did not know the cause of. But of course, that was irrelevant to Elice. Except for Daphne’s words, which confused her more and more.

“But that’s not important,” Daphne said afterwards. “What is important now is to prepare for your wedding with Garrett. And starting today, get used to calling me ‘Nana’. Don’t call me ‘madam’.”

Elice suddenly seemed to have trouble breathing. The situation was really confusing her. However, Daphne stood up abruptly and decided to leave the Hollis room as soon as she finished speaking.

“Oh, one thing to remember, Elice.”

Daphne stared at Elice without blinking, locking eyes with an intimidating stare that made Elice truly unable to catch her breath.

“Never think you can escape your fate.”

*

Garrett was completely confused. Just a few days ago, he had received Daphne’s rejection of his relationship with Elice. And now?

“What, Nana?” Garrett asked, confused. His eyes glanced briefly at Norah, who seemed equally puzzled. “What did you just say?”

Daphne could not help but sigh. Her expression was lazy, and her eyes rolled briefly.

“I think you should have your ears checked by an ENT before you get married, Garrett. I’m sure I’ve made myself quite clear.”

Garrett looked back at Norah. The look in his mother’s eyes was more than enough to prove that Garrett was not the only one feeling confused about the situation right now.

“Today I met Elice at Metro.”

“You met her again, Nana?”

Daphne nodded. “We chatted for a while and discussed your marriage,” she said casually. “She agreed to marry you.”

It seemed like Garrett could not breathe right then. His throat felt as if invisible hands were strangling him.

Even if there was to be a marriage between Elice and him, did the proposal have to be presented this way? Garrett couldn’t understand. But just as he was about to inquire further, he found Daphne rising from her seat.

“You don’t need to ask any more questions, Garrett. Besides, don’t you want to marry Elice, too? Isn’t that right?”

Garrett couldn’t answer this question directly. He felt uncomfortable.

“So,” Daphne continued, taking a breath. “Instead of questioning my decision, you should use your time to get ready. You’re going to have a wedding soon.”

Of course, Garrett recognized the truth in Daphne’s words. He did want to marry Elice. But not like this.

“Let’s end this discussion, Garrett.”

Daphne rose from her seat and immediately left the family room, followed by Carolus. Together they made their way to Daphne’s room.

When the door was securely closed by Carolus, Daphne seemed to sit down wearily on the sofa. Tiredness was evident on her aged face, prompting Carolus to inquire.

“Are you all right, Madam? Shall I call the doctor?”

Daphne’s hand lifted, signaling with a few waves. “I’m fine. Though I must admit I’m a little tired today. But I just need some rest.”

Carolus poured a glass of water for Daphne and placed it in front of the older woman.

“But are you sure, madam?”

Indeed, water was exactly what Daphne needed. To quench the thirst in her throat. To ease the agitation in her chest.

“I am sure, Carolus,” Daphne replied, exhaling deeply. “If I told Elice to marry Garrett, that means I’m sure. Otherwise, I wouldn’t waste my time seeing her again.”

Carolus remained silent, watching Daphne as she appeared to massage the bridge of her nose. The weariness of age was clearly visible on her face.

“The situation is chaotic because of my mistake. I shouldn’t have acted so impulsively. But what can I do? I never thought that Elice, Garrett and Ariel would be involved in such a relationship.”

As Daphne said this, she suddenly felt a throbbing in her head. She had to close her eyes for a moment, trying to remain calm.

“Forgive me, madam. I should have been more careful,” Carolus said.

Daphne looked at Carolus briefly. “But everything is clear now, isn’t it? Did we miss anything else?”

Carolus nodded confidently. As confident as the look in his eyes that met Daphne’s.

“Nothing further, madam,” Carolus replied. “I can make sure we haven’t missed anything.”

“Good then. At least now I’m sure I’ve done the right thing this time.”

Daphne fell silent for a moment, as if to give her brain a chance to think again. And what she did shortly after was to nod her head repeatedly. This time she seemed very sure of her decision.

“Elice must indeed marry Garrett. It seems to be the best choice for Garrett.”

*

“Should I congratulate you, sir?”

That morning in his office, Garrett noticed Amber’s uncertain expression. Uncertainty that was clearly visible, and Garrett knew exactly why. Surely the secretary had learned of his plans to marry Elice.

“If it matters to you, then it matters. Go ahead, congratulate me,” Garrett said nonchalantly.

Amber smiled wryly. “I just didn’t expect Madam Daphne to allow this marriage when she was against it before.”

“Who can guess what’s in her head?” Garrett glanced at Amber briefly, with a look that was not unfamiliar. “A few years ago she wouldn’t even see me. And now? She’s forcing me to live with her.”

Unable to contain her surprise at Garrett’s words, Amber coughed spontaneously.

“By the way, I don’t think it’s all Madam Daphne’s fault, sir.”

At first, Garrett wanted to grab a file that he had to postpone yesterday. But Amber’s words made him pause for a moment.

“Considering how Nana so spontaneously opposed my relationship with Elice without a second thought, I find it confusing. How could she be the one who asked Elice to marry me? Isn’t that a little strange?”

“Perhaps Madam Daphne is considering your situation.”

“My situation?”

Amber nodded confidently. “You need to get married soon. That way everything related to Morales will be all yours. And at least it will protect your position from Ariel and his family.”

In the end it was about inheritance again?

Garrett took a long breath as this possibility crossed his mind. In a way, Amber’s thoughts made sense. Considering that Garrett seemed to have no other woman to consider as an option.

There was only Elice. And the world already knew that.

“I don’t know. I’m just confused by the situation,” Garrett admitted.

Amber understood. “Sure, no one would be without confusion in this position, sir. But at the very least, you need to take action soon.”

“Action?”

“Yes, action.”

As she convinced Garrett of this, Amber looked at her boss with innocent yet disbelieving eyes. As if in doubt.

“The kind of action men usually take when they’re about to get married.”

Garrett choked. Even without the need for food or drink, he could apparently choke. Embarrassing.

“I think you should meet Miss Elice. Discuss this marriage. And, of course, I hope you don’t forget what’s important here.”

The look Amber received from Garrett made the middle-aged woman certain that Garrett had overlooked that crucial aspect. So, she took a quick breath before finishing her statement.

“The rings.”

Garrett’s eyes widened.

“Engagement and wedding rings,” Amber clarified. “At least a wedding requires those, sir.”

True. That was an essential part that Garrett had almost overlooked. Fortunately, there was Amber, who was not only Garrett’s secretary, but more than that.

“I will clear your schedule soon. You’ll need time to choose the rings and make arrangements for this wedding.”

With that, Amber excused herself. This coincided with Sherly bringing coffee for Garrett. After that, silence reigned in Garrett’s office, leaving only Garrett and his thoughts wandering somewhere unknown.

Marriage?

With Elice?

Something Garrett thought would never happen was about to happen. How soon? He was sure Daphne wouldn’t waste any more time.

But compared to that, Garrett suddenly remembered something. About Elice’s condition after he had found out that Daphne had pushed her into this marriage.

Would Elice be okay? Or the opposite?

*