Theodore Ford sat on the sofa, a thin blanket covering his legs. Seeing Ivy Kensington enter, he waved at her with a smile and said.
Ivy Kensington’s eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly.
"Dad, about this marriage..."
Before she could finish, the old butler came over, taking her hand, and whispered, "Miss, Mr. Ford doesn’t have much time left."
Ivy was shocked. She had already removed the poison that Aaron Linden had administered to Theodore before.
The old butler seemed to guess what was on her mind and continued, "Even though the poison is cleared, Mr. Ford is quite old, and the side effects have still affected his internal organs. I’ve seen him secretly vomit blood many times, and he hasn’t allowed me to tell anyone, just so you wouldn’t worry."
"That’s why he’s so urgently arranging your and Young Master Ford’s marriage. He’s worried that one morning he might not wake up. With Nina Shaw not around, he’s hoping to at least see you safe and happy one last time."
After saying this, the old butler couldn’t help but turn his face away to wipe his tears.
He had been with Theodore Ford since he was young, and seeing Theodore’s health deteriorate over time was truly hard for him to bear.
Hearing this, Ivy Kensington’s heart also began to ache.
From a young age, she longed for family affection, and Theodore Ford treated her particularly well. Now, his only wish was to see her wed to Ethan Ford. The words of rejection she had ready suddenly became difficult to say.
"Ivy, come over and pick out a wedding dress," Theodore Ford called to her again, seeing she hadn’t moved.
Ivy snapped back to reality and hurriedly sat beside him, "Dad, there’s no need for you to worry about these things. Leave it to the butler and the others."
"That won’t do. You’re my precious daughter. Everything about you matters to me,"
Theodore Ford said, taking her hand with a voice full of age.
As Ivy sat beside him, she deeply felt the changes in Theodore Ford.
Indeed, he no longer seemed as healthy and spirited as before; he had genuinely aged a lot.
Ivy suddenly felt her throat clog up. Those four years, she hadn’t been by his side to fulfill her filial duties.
"Silly girl, why cry? Marriage is a good thing, and besides, Ethan, that boy, I watched him grow up. He will surely treat you well."
That’s also why he wanted the two to marry. Theodore Ford believed Ethan could not only manage The Ford Group but also cherish Ivy like a treasure. Check latest chapters at NoveIꜰire.net
Ivy lowered her head, the words she wanted to say on the tip of her tongue, but then: "Dad."
Ethan Ford had returned.
"Ethan is here, so you two can choose the wedding dress together."
Theodore didn’t want to intrude on their time together, so after saying this, he found an excuse to have the butler wheel him back to his room.
Once they were alone, Ethan sat beside Ivy.
Ivy’s mind was a mess, but she was sure of one thing: she had no romantic feelings for Ethan; she only saw him as a brother.
"Brother, about the wedding, I think we should call it off."
Ivy finally voiced what she was feeling. Though she didn’t want to break Theodore’s heart, she also didn’t want to deceive herself or Ethan.
Upon hearing this, Ethan’s deep eyes darkened.
He noticed the faint red marks on Ivy’s exposed collarbone, undoubtedly left by Sebastian Blackwood last night.
Recalling that photo, he clenched his large hand tightly, though his expression remained unchanged: "Ivy, I disagree with that."
Ivy was completely taken aback, not expecting Ethan to refuse to call off the wedding.