Chapter 139 Are You Really Planning to Break Off the Engagement with Hollis?
Catherine's intentions were clear; she still hoped he would stay with Hollis.
For six years, he had heard such urging countless times. Donovan, slightly impatient, furrowed his brow. "I'll handle this matter myself. Please don't interfere."
Catherine, visibly irked, shot back, "Handle it yourself? Are you really planning to break off the engagement with Hollis?"
When Donovan offered no immediate response, Catherine's face clouded with a stern intensity, her voice growing icily resolute. "No matter what, since you agreed to the engagement with the Sutton family back then, I won't allow you to break it off easily now. Hollis has waited for you all these years; you can't do this to her. I forbid any talk of ending the engagement. Don’t bring it up again!"
Having delivered her ultimatum, Catherine cast a severe look at Donovan before turning her glower toward the villa's front door, as if by sheer will she could see Riley within. With an expression of profound disappointment, she pivoted swiftly and marched away.
As his mother disappeared from view, Donovan took a moment to recalibrate his emotions before striding purposefully into the villa. Inside, Finley had ceased her crying and was nestled in Riley's comforting embrace, seemingly unruffled by the recent tempest. Spotting him, she wriggled free from Riley's arms, darted over, and latched onto his leg, gazing up at him with wide, tear-drenched eyes.
Donovan tenderly ruffled Finley's hair, offering silent solace, before meeting Riley’s gaze. "I'm sorry, it seems my mother caused you some trouble. I didn't expect her to come over suddenly."
Riley, now composed, responded with a slight nod. "No biggie. Her reaction wasn’t unexpected. When I left, it wasn’t exactly on good terms. Besides, she never approved of our marriage, and, in hindsight, she wasn’t wrong."
Years ago, despite Catherine's vehement objections, Riley had married Donovan, a decision that ultimately led to mutual heartache. Returning to the country, Riley had braced herself for challenges from the Wilder family, yet she had not foreseen getting entangled with Donovan once again, nor meeting Catherine under such fraught circumstances.
Hearing her response, Donovan furrowed his brow slightly, unsure of how to reply.
After all, everything Riley said was true. Even now, his mother's deep-seated prejudice against Riley remained unyielding.
An uneasy silence settled in the living room, each moment stretching longer than the last.
"Ms. Monroe, Mr. Wilder," Olivia cautiously spoke up, "it's time to take the children to school."
Her words cut through the tension, bringing them all back to the present. Riley cast a momentary glance at Donovan. "Finley... do you want to take her, or should I continue looking after her?"
Catherine's earlier words had served as a stark reminder; it wasn't ideal for Finley to stay with her.
Just as Donovan began to formulate a response, Finley detached herself from his leg and ran to Riley's side, clutching the fabric of her skirt.
Both adults stood in stunned silence.
Having twice overheard discussions about being taken away from Riley, Finley's already reddened eyes grew even glossier with fresh tears. She gazed imploringly at Donovan, silently pleading that she wouldn't be separated from Riley—not without a fight.
Donovan, discerning the child's distress, spoke gently, "Finley's situation hasn't stabilized yet. For now, I'll have to rely on your help a little longer. If it becomes too inconvenient, Olivia can bring her back."
Seeing the forlorn expression on the girl's face, Riley's resolve softened, and she nodded in agreement.
With Riley's acknowledgment, the look of sorrow vanished from Finley's face, replaced with a wide, jubilant smile.
