Chapter 269 I Can't Marry You
The heat from his breath wrapped around her like a blanket.
Magnus's big hand seemed to control her heartbeat, and Juniper was starting to feel a bit breathless.
Just as she was about to lose it, with one arm still around his neck, she clung to the last bit of consciousness, her fingers tightening around his strong wrist as her eyes fluttered open to meet his.
"Magnus," she called out.
Their moment came to a sudden stop.
Magnus looked at her, his voice low and rough. "Stopping me now, are you teasing me on purpose, Juniper?"
He leaned in, trying to kiss her again.
Juniper turned her face slightly, trying to stay rational. "I have something to ask you."
Magnus paused, his expression serious. "What is it?"
"The diamond ring Mary posted on Facebook, did you give it to her?" she asked.
"No," Magnus replied.
Juniper wasn't really surprised by his answer.
She didn't think the diamond ring Mary posted was from Magnus. That huge diamond was way too flashy and didn't match Magnus's style.
Ophelia, who knew a lot about high-end jewelry, had immediately recognized that the ring in Mary's photo was a fake because the tracking code for the real ring wasn't in Crestoria.
Such a big ruby was rare worldwide.
Even if Magnus were to give a diamond ring, it wouldn't be a fake.
But this question was just a warm-up; what she really wanted to ask had nothing to do with Mary.
Sitting on his lap, she took a deep breath and asked, "If you publicly acknowledge that you're with me and might marry me in the future, would that be bad news for SY?"
Juniper was clear-headed; she knew how people saw her online.
How could the public have a good impression of someone who had made false accusations?
She would likely never shake off this label, one she had put on herself, even though it was under Alexander's coercion, but the fact remained.
Magnus looked at her, silent for a long time, and finally said, "It doesn't matter."
In other words, if they publicly announced their relationship and future marriage, it would indeed be bad news for SY and for Magnus.
There were only downsides, no benefits.
It might even drag the company, which had just come out of a crisis, back into the spotlight.
She tugged at the corner of her mouth, smiling. "How could it not matter? Magnus, the label of making false accusations is something I will likely never shake off. I suddenly realize that I have long been unworthy of you. I understand why you didn't clarify the breakup rumors. I forgot that to you, I have always been a negative presence."
Juniper sniffed, her eyes red, but she continued, "Back on the international seas, you saved my life, making me arrogantly believe that we could overcome all obstacles. In life-and-death moments, I forgot that we were already worlds apart."
Before, she didn't understand why Magnus wanted to send her back to Southern City, but now she did.
It wasn't until today that she realized that wanting to marry Magnus required not only his willingness but also the world's acceptance.
Magnus, who had come this far, was no longer free to act as he wished.
These days had been too happy, and she foolishly fantasized that soon, when Magnus brought her back from Southern City, they would get married with the blessings of friends.
But how could she forget that, in the eyes of the public, she was just a person with a tainted past, someone who had made false accusations. Mrs. Blackwood could be an ordinary person without power or influence, but it couldn't be her.
She could brush off the world's opinions, but if those opinions would harm SY and Magnus, she couldn't stay by his side with a clear conscience.
Tears started to fall.
She bit her lip and said, "Sometimes I really wish we could go back seven years, living in that tiny rented apartment. At least back then, Magnus could love Juniper without any reservations. At least... back then, Juniper was innocent and could hold her head high without guilt."
Back then, no one would think Juniper was unworthy of Magnus.
Juniper, the belle of the Broadcasting Department at Imperial Capital University, and Magnus, the prodigy of the Law Department at Imperial Capital University, both shone brightly with limitless futures.
But now, Juniper felt unworthy.
Not because Magnus had become better, but because the label of making false accusations on Juniper could never be removed.
Magnus had prepared himself countless times, but when it came to pushing Juniper away, he hesitated again and again.
He couldn't say anything harsh, so he pressed his forehead against hers and said hoarsely, "To me, you have never been a negative presence, Juniper. You make me feel it's worth it."
Juniper's eyes reddened, and she smiled.
She cupped his face with both hands and asked, "Then are you willing to marry me, Magnus?"
'I am willing,' he answered softly in his heart.
But he couldn't.
It had nothing to do with the damn public opinion.
The woman he wanted to marry, even if she were a murderer, so what?
Juniper's crime, he had forgiven; he didn't need the public to condemn her for him.
But he couldn't let Juniper marry a dying man.
He closed his eyes and said harshly, "Juniper, I'm sorry, I can't."
It was not that he wasn't willing to; he just couldn't marry her.
Juniper wasn't surprised; she didn't blame Magnus.
Swallowing the bitterness in her throat, she curved her lips and said, "I accept it. These past few days of happiness felt like they were stolen, always a bit unreal. I thought it was an illusion."
It turned out it was never an illusion but an intuition.
But she and Magnus had truly broken up seven years ago. Later, they had been entangled, never really together.
To have been involved for so many years, to stand by his side for so long, even if not openly, she was content.
She had occupied Magnus's time for seven years; what more could she ask for?
They held each other in silence for a long time.
Until Juniper said, "Help me tie the laces on the back of my wedding dress."
Magnus didn't ask, just silently helped her tie them.
Juniper got off his lap, lifted the hem of her wedding dress, stood up, and smiled brightly in front of him. "Let's pretend we got married tonight. Remember how I look in a wedding dress; there might not be another chance. I should have put on full makeup earlier."
"Juniper." Magnus stood up and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
His heart ached with trembling.
Juniper tilted her snow-white neck and kissed him. "When do you plan to send me back to Southern City? If the public pressure is too much, I can take Jenny and leave early."
As Paul said, Juniper was knowledgeable, considerate, and gentle.
Even after he refused to marry her, she still didn't cry or make a scene, though Magnus wished she had.
"Juniper, you don't have to be so sensible," Magnus said.
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