Brenda Adler saw Beau Shelby’s calm expression, which didn’t suggest he’d heard her conversation with her daughter. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief and secretively signal to her daughter.
Claire North’s expression softened, and her tightly wound heart returned to its original place.
"I’m here to visit Grandpa North."
Brenda said, "It’s really considerate of you. It’s your company that makes the old man smile often, and even his health has improved significantly."
Beau Shelby replied, "It’s my duty." He looked at Claire North, "Claire, let’s go for a walk."
Claire North frowned slightly. She originally wanted to refuse, but noticing Brenda’s look, she reluctantly agreed.
Claire North went to the garden with Beau Shelby.
Beau Shelby asked, "How was your trip abroad?"
Claire North was momentarily stunned before she realized. Previously, her mom had used the excuse of her going abroad for relaxation to postpone the marriage discussion with the Shelby Family.
"It was alright, I guess."
Silence returned between the two.
"Claire." Beau Shelby looked at Claire North and said softly, "I feel like you’ve changed a lot recently."
"Everything in this world is constantly changing, and I’m just one of the many people here. What’s so strange about changing?"
"You’re right, but many things get better with change, like the feelings between you and me." Beau Shelby paused, "Claire, let’s get married."
"No." Claire North refused without hesitation. Seeing Beau Shelby’s eyes full of shock, she took a deep breath and asked bitterly, "Beau, do you really think we could still get married?"
"Of course, we can. My father has visited Grandpa North several times to discuss our marriage. It’s just that you were abroad, so everything was put on hold. As long as you agree, I’ll ask my father to visit the North Family again when I return."
"No, please don’t let Mr. Shelby come." Meeting Beau Shelby’s gaze, Claire North said, "I will not marry you."
"Why?" Beau Shelby frowned, "Weren’t you always looking forward to forming a family with me?"
That was before she met Elias Hawthorne.
Claire North’s smile grew more bitter as she said quietly, "Beau, do you truly not care about what happened?"
"I’m grateful you say that, but I don’t believe you. Beau, I don’t believe you."
"Claire." Beau Shelby spoke more intensely, "Listen to me; I genuinely don’t care. If I did, I wouldn’t have let my father propose the marriage to your family." Newest update provided by novel_fіre.net
"But I care. I can never forget what happened that night." Claire North’s eyes reddened, "Besides, even if you don’t care now, will you never care in the future? How will you feel when those people whisper behind your back? Even if you don’t care about that, what about your family?"
"They won’t care; they only feel sorry for you, they..."
"Beau..." Claire North interrupted Beau Shelby, looking at him, "Do you think I’m that easy to deceive? I still remember Rachel’s reaction that day. Beau, you can’t fool me."
Beau Shelby was silent for a moment before saying, "After we get married, we can move out. We won’t return to the old Shelby residence unless necessary, just you and me. How about it?"
Claire North was stunned. She never thought Beau Shelby would say something like that.
In her memory, Beau Shelby was the most filial person, never even speaking loudly to his mother.
If it were before, Claire North would have been immensely grateful for Beau’s kindness, but now she felt only discomfort.