Chapter 139
Chapter 139
Two guards stepped forward and dragged the maid away. Moments later, a piercing scream echoed from outside.
Immediately, two more maids stepped forward, their faces carefully blank, not daring to show even a flicker of emotion.
Step by agonizing step, Ferris dragged himself toward Gale’s quarters.
By the time he arrived, his face was deathly pale, his forehead glistening with cold sweat.
Seeing him in such a state, Gale felt her heart wrench, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
She hurried out and helped him sit down. “My dear, if you needed anything, you could have just sent for me. Why trouble yourself to come all this way when you’re so gravely ill p>
With those words, tears spilled down her cheeks.
Ferris’s eyes remained utterly impassive. After two weak, rasping coughs, he said in a hoarse whisper, “Arrange the engagement as soon as possible p>
His days were numbered. This was the last thing he could do for Athena.
‘ Once I’m gone, the Mcgee family will belong to Athena. At least her future will be secure,; Ferris thought.
Gale’s
eyes widened abruptly in realization. As Ferris’s meaning dawned on her, her tears streamed down even harder.
He wanted to marry Athena and bring her home while he still could.
She just didn’t understand why Ferris insisted on her.
With the power and status of the Mcgee family, he could have any girl he wanted.
Gale sniffled, her eyes brimming with sorrow. “Alright, I’ll speak to them tomorrow p>
Ferris’s body trembled slightly, but his voice was unusually firm. “We must move faster than the Osborne family. The wedding has to happen before theirs p>
Gale paused briefly, then gave a slight nod. “Very well,” she said quietly.
She thought, ‘Oh, my poor, foolish son…
‘He’s making all these arrangements for that Monson girl, without a single thought for himself.
“Once she marries in, let Athena handle everything in the household…” With each word, Ferris gasped for air, struggling to speak.
Gale, her heart aching, gently handed him a cup of tea and pleaded, “Let’s talk about this later, my dear. There’s no need to rush yourself like this p>
Ferris shook his head weakly. In a faltering voice, he pleaded, “If… if she ever wants to leave this family in the future, Mother … please, don’t try to stop her p>
At these words, Gale’s beautiful eyes instantly widened in shock.
The way she looked at Ferris had completely changed, her eyes now held nothing but heartache for him.
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She thought bitterly, ‘All this he’s done for Athena… does she even know p>
Tears streaming down her face, Gale asked bitterly, “You’ve planned out her future, but what about me? ”
He was her only son.
But in Ferris’s heart, there was only room for Athena, not even his own mother mattered anymore.
Ferris looked at Gale, a fleeting trace of guilt flashing in his eyes. “ I’ve failed in my duties to you,” he said hoarsely.
Actually, he had already thought it all through.
‘Even if Athena leaves the estate, the family fortune will be more than enough for you to live comfortably, Mother, Ferris thought.
So, he wasn’t worried.
He thought, ‘Besides, she’s still relatively healthy. She could always have another child for the Mcgee family p>
Having given his final instructions, Ferris struggled to his feet and withdrew, leaning heavily on the maids for support.
Gale collapsed into uncontrollable sobs the moment Ferris left.
After crying for what felt like an eternity, something seemed to dawn on her. Eyes swollen and red, she turned to an elderly maidservant beside her and ordered, “Go and prepare the coffin. Even if it’s just to ward off misfortune with this wedding, it’s better than nothing p>
With Ferris’s condition this critical, it was uncertain whether he’d even survive until the wedding.
The elderly maidservant, her eyes red–rimmed, nodded respectfully. Then Gale added, her voice heavy with sorrow, “Make sure it’s the very best. Spare no expense p>
Thinking of all the suffering Ferris had endured in his life, Gale felt her heart wrench in agony.
A flash of hatred flickered in her eyes. “If it hadn’t been for that incident, my son wouldn’t have ended up like this p>
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.