He shifted all responsibility onto me, brushing himself clean of everything.
Just then, the wind pushed the glass door ajar, and Tatum’s voice mingled clearly with his mother’s.
“Son, I thought Adeline was virtuous and proper, but now this wedding has turned so extravagant. You really need to talk to her!”
“Mom, don’t say that. I was the one who set the high standards for the wedding. I have my reasons, you and Dad don’t need to worry.”
“As for Zara… she must be compensated somehow. I’ve decided that the ten percent of company shares I had prepared as Adeline’s dowry, I’ll give them to Zara instead. That’s what I owe her.”
Violeta paused for a moment.
“Those shares were promised to Adeline as her dowry. You already said it aloud. Are you certain you want to change it?”
Tatum’s tone was firm, without hesitation.
“Adeline marrying me is already the greatest blessing she could ever have. She shouldn’t be so greedy.”
“Zara is different. She has no one to depend on; I must think of her.”
Though my heart had long been numb, his words still stirred a dull ache in my chest.
I pressed down the surge of emotion and reminded myself.