Chapter 17
Daisy paused, her eyes steady as she looked up at the tall figure in front of her.
“Gordon, I don’t think I have the ability to love anymore,” she said softly, her voice steady but resolute. “But I’m willing to try.”
Her words hung in the air before she added, “If you don’t mind… let’s have a wedding.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Gordon’s face, his usual calm demeanor slipping for a brief moment. But he quickly regained his composure and replied, “Daisy, you don’t have to do this for me.”
She shook her head gently, her voice calm yet firm. “It’s not about doing this for you. It’s about reclaiming a part of myself, something I thought I’d lost.”
Relief washed over Gordon, and his hesitation melted away. A genuine smile touched his lips as he nodded.
“Alright. Let’s do it.”
From that moment on, Gordon threw himself into organizing the wedding with new energy. He didn’t want her to feel pressured, but he wanted the day to be perfect. As the days passed, Gordon learned bits and pieces about Daisy’s past, enough to understand why she had no family to invite. Respecting her wishes, he never mentioned them. Instead, Emma reached out to Daisy’s closest friends, ensuring they would be by her side as her support.
Jasmin went all out, gifting Daisy a beautiful villa, the perfect place for her to leave from on her wedding day. The Davis family wedding was nothing short of grand. Guests poured in like waves, their congratulations filling the air with festive cheer. The Davis Corporation, seizing the opportunity, made a bold announcement on their official website, offering a 30% discount across all products to celebrate the new heir’s marriage. The statement sparked a media frenzy, and soon, news of Gordon and Daisy’s wedding dominated the trending lists.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, Desmond arrived at Daisy’s house once more, his expression dark with unease. He turned toward her parents and asked sharply, “Has Daisy still not returned?”
Hannah, sitting on the sofa, nodded, her face clouded with worry. “No, she hasn’t. I don’t know how she’s managing out there.”
“Has she not reached out to you?” Desmond frowned, frustration and concern growing in equal measure. He had expected Daisy to come back soon, thinking she wouldn’t last long away from home. But now, almost a month had passed, and there was still no sign of her. His anger simmered down, replaced by a gnawing sense of worry.
Pressing his lips together, Desmond finally said, “I’ll send people to look for her.”
Heather exchanged a glance with Samuel, who scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. “What’s the point of looking for her? She’s grown, isn’t she? She has hands and feet. Do you think she’ll starve herself to death? The more we coddle her, the more she takes advantage of us. If she doesn’t want to come back, then let her stay for good!”
Desmond, however, didn’t share Samuel’s view. His determination to find Daisy remained firm.
“No matter what,” he said, “I need to confirm her safety first.”
Just as he was about to issue his orders, Hannah’s startled voice shattered the tense air.
“Come here! Look! Is this… Daisy?” Her voice trembled with disbelief. “Is she… getting married?”
“What?” Heather’s face twisted in shock as she turned toward Hannah.
Desmond snatched the phone from Hannah’s trembling hands, his usual calm demeanor evaporating the moment his eyes landed on the image. The wedding photo showed Daisy standing beside an unfamiliar man, their closeness unmistakable. His composure crumbled, replaced by a grotesque fury that twisted his features.
No one had expected this. The next piece of news about Daisy was a wedding announcement.
Heather’s voice rose to a near roar, her disbelief spilling into bitter anger. “Why hasn’t Daisy died yet? We sent her into the wilderness with no hope of survival. How could she have made it?”
The others were just as unnerved. The once lively living room of the Johnson family fell into an eerie silence.
After what felt like an eternity, Desmond turned sharply, his steps decisive as he headed for the door.
Heather snapped back into reality and rushed after him.
“Desmond, where are you going?”
His voice was low, carrying a weight that sent a chill through the room.
“To pick up Daisy.”
Hearing his words, Heather exchanged a glance with Samuel before hurriedly following him.
“I’ll come with you.”
She couldn’t allow Daisy to marry. No, she would bring Daisy back and keep her close, just as she always had.
And so, Heather, Samuel, and Desmond all headed toward Portland.
As the car rolled on, Heather tried to ease Desmond’s tense mood.
“It’s just a way for my sister to get our attention. Don’t worry. She loves you too much. She’d never marry anyone else.”
Her words had a small effect. Desmond’s cold, imposing aura softened slightly, though his expression remained as dark as ever.
