Chapter 223 Harsh Marriage Conditions
"No way," Magnolia snapped in the ward. "I can agree to the first four conditions, but not the fifth. Dashiell's injuries are too severe. The doctor said he needs at least two weeks in the hospital. How can he handle a wedding in a week?"
"On that date!" Seraphina insisted. "If we delay, I might change my mind. You all know why I agreed to marry Dashiell!"
"Fine," Dashiell said immediately.
Seraphina glanced at him, then steeled herself.
Dashiell knew Seraphina was making things hard on purpose, just to show she didn't care about him.
"I won't allow it!" Magnolia was firm. "A week isn't enough to prepare, and Dashiell can't even get out of bed. He won't be able to sit in a wheelchair!"
"I don't care if Dashiell gets married lying in a hospital bed. I have no expectations for the wedding," Seraphina said coldly.
"No matter how low your expectations, think about Dashiell's health. Who do you think he's in this condition for? Can't you compromise a little for him?!"
"If I hadn't compromised, would I have agreed to marry him?" Seraphina shot back sarcastically.
Magnolia was genuinely angry. If it weren't for Dashiell's injuries and his insistence on Seraphina, she would never agree to this marriage.
"Mom," Dashiell said. "The doctor said I'm not in life-threatening danger. I should be able to sit in a wheelchair in a week. Don't worry, I know my own body."
"No matter how poorly you know your body, you will still try your best to meet Seraphina's demands," Magnolia muttered.
She couldn't understand why Dashiell liked Seraphina. He had always been sensible, but for Seraphina, he lost all his principles.
"You all discuss it and let me know. I'm not patient. If I don't get a clear answer by the end of today, our wedding is off," Seraphina said.
"No need to discuss. We'll get married on the date you said," Dashiell replied.
Seraphina felt conflicted. She was trying to make things difficult for Dashiell, but seeing him troubled didn't make her happy. It just meant she would really be marrying him in a week.
She held back, "The wedding will be simple, just the ceremony at the church. No more than 20 guests at the banquet."
"That's impossible," Atticus objected. "I have so many friends in the business world. How can I invite only 20 people?"
"My wedding has nothing to do with your friends!"
Atticus was so choked by Seraphina's words that his blood pressure almost spiked.
"If you want a big banquet, have a divorce ceremony. Invite as many people as you want to that," Seraphina said.
Atticus thought one day Seraphina would drive him crazy.
"Fine, just twenty people," Dashiell agreed again.
Seraphina glanced at Dashiell. One day, he would realize that marrying her would bring him no happiness.
She turned and left the ward immediately.
As she walked out, Seraphina's eyes reddened again.
She knew there was no turning back now.
She left the hospital, got into a taxi, and tried to hold back her tears.
"You're still young. No matter what illness you have, don't lose hope. With today's medical technology, you'll get better if you cooperate with the treatment," the older driver said seriously.
Seraphina glanced at him, feeling a bit comforted. He mistakenly thought she had a terminal illness, but he was right about one thing: she would get better. She believed that once Dashiell realized they weren't right for each other, she could return to her old life.
She wiped away her tears and called Cecilia.
"Seraphina," Cecilia answered, still in bed, unsure how she got there after leaving the hospital.
"I'm going to marry Dashiell," Seraphina said, feeling like her world was collapsing.
"Congratulations," Cecilia replied calmly. She had expected this. In their previous life, Seraphina had also married Dashiell, but it didn't end well.
"I'm a bit sad," Seraphina's voice wavered.
Cecilia felt helpless. She couldn't say much to comfort Seraphina but hoped to help her change her life.
"I don't know what this marriage will turn into... I'm afraid I'll become a bad woman," Seraphina admitted.
"You won't," Cecilia reassured her. "One day, you'll know who the best man for you is and who you truly love."
"The best man for me might be Dashiell, but the man I truly love will never be him," Seraphina said firmly.
"Seraphina..."
"Let's stop here. I don't want to hear anything about Dashiell today," Seraphina said, her mood low.
"Alright, adjust your mood. Trust me, everything will get better," Cecilia said.
The call ended abruptly.
Cecilia thought for a moment and then called Dashiell.
"Cecilia," Dashiell's voice was gentle.
"Seraphina said she agreed to marry you," Cecilia informed him.
"I used some despicable means," Dashiell admitted.
"But at least you succeeded," Cecilia said.
"Don't you... hate me?" Dashiell asked, surprised.
"No," Cecilia replied. "I hope you can hold on to Seraphina and never let her go."
"I'll try," Dashiell promised.
"Congratulations," Cecilia said.
"Thank you."
Cecilia put down her phone and tried to get out of bed.
"Ms. Lockhart," someone called from beside her.
Cecilia almost jumped out of her skin. She turned and saw Alaric lying on the couch.
"Have you been here the whole time?" she asked, feeling a surge of anger. "Alaric, how could you eavesdrop on my call?"
"You were making a call, not having an affair. Why can't I eavesdrop?" Alaric said nonchalantly.
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