Chapter 2 Let's Get Married

It wasn't their first time having sex, and Julien wondered why she felt so bashful now.

Julien, perceiving her behavior, thought she was feigning naivete.

Kelsey was at a loss for words.

As the phone kept ringing, her patience wore thin. She quickly turned Julien's face away, snatched up the quilt, and wrapped herself in it tightly.

Exposed to the cool air, Julien raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Kelsey then hurried out of bed, picking up her phone from the floor. It was a call from her roommate, Jenna Higgins.

As she glanced back at Julien, she inadvertently caught sight of him lying naked on the bed. Startled, she swiftly closed her eyes and turned away.

Answering the phone in front of Julien didn't seem appropriate.

Phone in hand, Kelsey awkwardly gathered her clothes from the floor, clutching them under her arm as she shuffled towards the bathroom, resembling a cocooned cicada.

Julien watched her, amused at her ungainly posture, but his smile soon faded, replaced by a look of detached coldness.

When Kelsey returned from the bathroom after ending her call, Julien was partially dressed, leaning against the pillow and smoking a cigarette, his upper body bare.

Julien's features held an allure that seemed to captivate the world. As he smoked, glancing at Kelsey with half-lidded, seductive eyes, he radiated an irresistible charm.

Kelsey remembered their first encounter. He was the same then: cynical, defiant, exuding an air of arrogant solitude, reminiscent of a lone wolf in the wilderness.

Noticing Kelsey's return, Julien beckoned her over with a casual wave, as if calling a pet.

"Come here," he called.

Julien's voice, lazy yet captivating, reached Kelsey's ears, snapping her back to the present moment.

She approached with a smile.

As she drew near, Julien wrapped his arm around her, pulling her onto his lap.

"Who was on the phone?" he inquired, leisurely exhaling smoke rings while his left hand traced her slim waist.

"It was my roommate. She was wondering why I didn't return last night, worried something might have happened to me. She just wanted to make sure I was okay," Kelsey explained.

"Alright," Julien responded nonchalantly, as if the question was merely a formality.

He extinguished his cigarette in the crystal ashtray and then, gently gripping Kelsey's chin, drew her into a kiss infused with the potent aroma of tobacco.

Kelsey's expression shifted to one of discomfort.

After their kiss ended, she felt nothing but dizziness and found herself coughing from the smoke.

Despite it not being the first time Julien had kissed her post-smoking, she struggled to acclimate to the taste.

Yet, as a heavy smoker, Julien's habit was something Kelsey realized she would have to gradually adjust to if she wanted to maintain their relationship.

Lost in her thoughts, Kelsey was jolted back to reality by Julien's unexpected proposition. "Let's get married, Kelsey."

"What?" she responded, her astonishment evident.

"Don't you want to marry me?" Julien's eyebrows arched, a hint of displeasure was evident on his face.

Kelsey hurriedly reassured him. "How could it be? I'm just a bit surprised. Why such a sudden decision?"

"Do you think it's too sudden? I think it's the right time," Julien remarked casually.

"Then, shall we get married?" he asked once more.

Kelsey met his gaze, sensing an underlying reason behind his question.

It crossed her mind that he might not genuinely intend to obtain a marriage certificate with her.

Maybe it was spurred by the news of another woman's marriage.

Regardless, she smiled and agreed, "Okay."

For her, the joy of being with him for life overshadowed any reason he had for marrying her.

Julien appeared earnest as he instructed, "Go home and get your documents. Meet me at City Hall."

"Okay," Kelsey replied, a touch of surprise in her voice.

She hadn't anticipated his seriousness, but she harbored no reservations.

"I'll head home now," she said, making a move to get off his lap.

But Julien had other plans. He gently pushed her back onto the bed, kissing her. "There's no rush. Let's enjoy this moment first."

Kelsey found herself at a loss for words.

-

It had been almost a month since Kelsey last visited her home.

She and her adopted sister, Elodie Lawson, had been kidnapped, but her parents chose to rescue Elodie first. That decision had only deepened the growing rift between her and her parents.

After exiting the taxi and settling the fare, Kelsey proceeded to make her way towards the grand villa.

Upon spotting Kelsey's return, a servant hurriedly approached her.

"Miss Lawson, good morning." The servant greeted her.

"Good morning," Kelsey replied with a slight nod and moved to enter the house.

The servant quickly advanced, halting Kelsey in her tracks. She hesitated before speaking. "Miss Lawson..."

Observing the servant blocking her path, Kelsey couldn't help but regard her with a puzzled expression. "What's the matter?" she inquired.

The servant, appearing somewhat embarrassed, glanced at her before speaking. "Mrs. Lawson and Miss Elodie Lawson are entertaining guests in the living room."

Understanding the implication, Kelsey nodded. "I'll use the back entrance, then."

With that decision, she headed straight for the villa's rear entrance.

As she walked away, the servant couldn't help but gaze after her with a sense of pity.

Who would have imagined that the eldest daughter of the second son of the Lawson family would have to use the back entrance to enter her own home?

If news of this got out, it would surely shock others.

However, Kelsey had grown accustomed to such treatment.

Kelsey's mind drifted back to three years ago. The first time her mother, Louise Lawson, had taken her to a dinner party after her return, Kelsey had caused an incident that left Louise feeling humiliated. From that moment, Kelsey found herself in an immensely uncomfortable position within her own family.

Now, holding her documents, Kelsey prepared to leave.

As she descended the stairs, she crossed paths with Elodie, who was heading upstairs.

Elodie had been adopted by Kelsey's parents after Kelsey's disappearance.

During that trying time, Louise blamed herself for losing her daughter and spent many sleepless nights.

In an effort to lift her spirits, Gerardo Lawson, Kelsey's father, had gone to an orphanage and adopted a girl who bore a slight resemblance to Kelsey. He hoped that this would divert Louise's attention and bring some joy into her life.

His plan had succeeded. Louise had embraced Elodie as if she were her long-lost daughter, showering the young girl with love and care.

Over time, even after Kelsey's return, Louise continued to favor Elodie, her adopted daughter. Perhaps it was because Elodie was the one she had raised personally.

Louise's affection for Elodie surpassed that for her biological daughter.

In fact, in Louise's eyes, Kelsey seemed inadequate compared to Elodie, which led to Louise's disdain for her own flesh and blood, making it difficult for her to accept Kelsey.

Elodie, dressed in an extravagant outfit worth $2, 700 from a luxury brand's summer collection, and sporting heels costing over $1, 500, exuded the aura of a noble princess.

Conversely, Kelsey appeared rather plain in her attire-a simple T-shirt and unbranded blue jeans that looked like they had been purchased from a roadside stall.

Upon seeing Kelsey's modest attire, a hint of disgust briefly flickered in Elodie's eyes.

However, she quickly replaced it with a friendly smile and greeted Kelsey. "Kelsey, good morning."