The man tilted his head to look at her. Under his gaze, Victoria couldn't hold it in and complained, "That proposal wasn't romantic at all, and there was no wedding, so I won't admit it. Quit dreaming."
Charlie shrugged nonchalantly. "That's all right. If the law admits it, it's fine."
"..."
Soon, the car arrived at the airport.
Looking at the tickets that the man had already prepared, Charlie hesitated.
Thinking of the reaction Brandon would have after catching wind of all this, she followed him onto the plane.
She knew that there was no going back after some choices.
Even though she was saying she didn't admit it, she must have, somewhere deep inside her, accepted it all.
Accepted the willingness and authenticity in that certificate, and the true voice buried in her heart.
It was four in the afternoon by the time they arrived in Eqitin.
Victoria's phone had been off on the plane, so she hadn't received any calls.
But the moment she stepped out of the plane, her phone started ringing nonstop.
Some calls were from Brandon, while others were from James.
She hesitated and didn't take her father's calls, instead taking her brother's.
The moment they connected, she could hear James' outraged voice.
"Victoria! Have you lost your mind? You know full well that Dad doesn't agree with what's between you two, and you still brought that man to the house? Where are you right now? Get back here this instant!"
Victoria sat on the car, head bent, expressionlessly poking a hole in her ragged jeans with her finger.
"We've gotten married."
"What do you mean married? Stop beating around the... what did you just say? You..."
James' reaction was delayed, and he went quiet for a few seconds. Victoria didn't need to look to tell that he was probably blowing his top. She choked on her words for a moment, then blurted, "James, I'm all sorts of frazzled right now and I don't want to argue with Dad right now. Smooth things over with him for me, please. After a while, when he's calmed down and digested the news completely, I'll bring Charlie with me back and talk with him face-to-face."
James was so enraged that he started laughing. "You're really trying to strike out now, are you, Victoria! Smooth things over for you? How the fuck am I supposed to smooth this over? Did you even think about me now that you're trying to ask forgiveness before permission? I fucking stole that contract for you only for you to turn around and get married to that Peck boy, so now how the hell am I supposed to break it to Dad? Are you trying to get me killed?"
"I'm sorry, big brother."
"Don't call me that! Turning your back on family for a man – I don't have a sister like you!"
That stung. Victoria did know that James was only saying that in the heat of the moment, but her eyes still reddened.
She lifted her head and looked out the window, forcing her eyes wide to keep the tears from falling.
"You'll always be my big brother, James. Even if you don't admit it, I'll be relying on you. Please take care of the family. Don't worry, I'll look after myself. When Dad's anger fades, I'll come back. Let's leave it at that. I'm hanging up. You take care of yourself too."
She said, and hung up swiftly, as if saying another word would break her.
Charlie sat to the side all throughout the ordeal, looking on without speaking.
The car fell into an awkward silence.
The silence was only broken until they reached the doorway to the mansion.
"We're here, sir."
Charlie nodded, opened the door, and got out.
Victoria rushed out without even thinking.
Back home, Victoria went back to her room right away, while Charlie set down the luggage and followed over as well.
There were only two of them in the house now. Victoria didn't lock the doors, and Charlie got inside the bedroom without issue. She was sitting there in front of the window, her face streaked with tears.
His eyes dimmed a little.
But he didn't go over to comfort her. He knew that comfort alone didn't work for some things.
Brandon Kaur didn't like him, and he didn't like the Kaurs, either. And this type of dislike couldn't be changed just from either side conceding.
She had to choose.
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