She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 186

As soon as Cora finished speaking, the three women locked their eyes on Herbert.

To him, their stares felt like three solid brick walls closing in, crushing the breath from his lungs.

Sensing his inner turmoil, Valery spoke up. "Herbert, how do you intend to resolve this?"

Seeing his jaw clench further, she continued with an earnest, maternal tone. "Sylvie is not like Hulda. She is an innocent, decent girl. You made the mistake, so you need to take responsibility for her. We are a respectable, prestigious family. We don't ruin a young woman's reputation and cast her aside. If word got out, it would severely damage the Jewell family name."

Hearing these painfully familiar words, Cora's brows relaxed into a viciously satisfied arch.

Usually, she was the one getting lectured by their parents like this. She never expected her perfect, stoic older brother to be on the receiving end.

She immediately fueled the fire. "Exactly. When Hulda made a mistake back then, you took responsibility and married her. Now that you're the one who messed up and hurt Sylvie, you definitely have to step up and take responsibility."

Herbert's eyes flickered. He knew his mother and sister were right. He was the one at fault. He had assaulted Sylvie, ruined her innocence, and he owed it to her to make it right.

But for some reason, the words physically refused to leave his throat.

Seeing his obvious hesitation, Sylvie's tears fell even harder. "It's okay. I know Mr. Jewell didn't do it on purpose. He drank too much and probably had no idea what he was doing. I'm an adult, I understand. Besides, he's always taken such good care of me. I owe him so much, and I would never bite the hand that feeds me."

Her voice hitched with a sob. "I'll just pretend last night never happened... From now on, he'll just be my mentor, my boss, and I won't..."

"I get it!" Herbert suddenly snapped, his eyes rimmed with red as he looked up. "I'll take responsibility."

He forced his breathing to steady, then turned to the sobbing girl beside him. "Sylvie, I'll take responsibility for you."

Sylvie choked on a sob, looking up at him in sheer disbelief. Her body hitched with residual cries, giant tears rolling down her cheeks. "You don't have to force yourself... I really don't mind..."

Herbert offered a tragic, bitter smile and gently took her hand. "I'm not forcing myself. You'll stay here from now on; don't move out. Once we find the time, we'll visit your parents, and then we'll..."

He paused. After a violent internal struggle, he finally forced out the word, "Marry."