Chapter 1686:
Seeing Carl, they were surprised and quickly rose to greet him. “Mr. Ford, we didn’t expect—how was your trip?”
“Apologies for keeping you waiting,” Carl said with his usual warm grace.
“Oh, not at all. We just got here ourselves,” Rachel’s father, Harold, replied. “Rachel didn’t mention it. Had we known you were coming, we would’ve come to meet you at the airport.”
Carl shook his head with a gentle smile. “That was my decision—I didn’t want to trouble anyone.”
Although Rachel’s parents had been informed that the Fords were coming, they hadn’t expected Carl himself to appear.
Had they known, they certainly wouldn’t have stayed put in the private room.
Whatever grievances they still harbored about the marriage, they understood what Carl’s presence signified.
An elder of his age making the trip in person was no small gesture—it was a mark of respect, an indication that the Ford family truly valued Rachel.
And as the realization settled over them, Rachel’s parents found themselves quietly reassured.
Their daughter had married into a family that took her seriously. That alone was enough to bring them a measure of peace.
During the meal, they kept up a courteous front, exchanging pleasant small talk with Jules’ family.
Halfway through the event, Corrine excused herself and slipped away to the restroom. On her return, she caught sight of Jules leaning against a hallway pillar, a thin stream of smoke curling from the cigarette between his fingers.
“What are you doing out here?”
Jules glanced over, exhaled, stubbed the cigarette out, and flicked it into a nearby trash can. “Didn’t you catch the Astleys’ vibe in there?”
Corrine gave a small nod. “I did.”
But what could anyone say?
The truth was, the Astleys had never endorsed the marriage. Rachel had made the decision on her own, and now they bore the consequences like a grudge.
Corrine knew Jules wasn’t taking it well. She rested a hand on his shoulder. “Take it slow. Eventually, you’ll have to face them properly. Rachel is your wife now—that’s what matters.”
Continue reading at gⲁ𝗅𝗇ον𝖊𝗅𝘀. c o𝗺
“Not changing. Whether the Astleys like it or not, the wedding’s done. They had their chance to object. Accepting the outcome is on them.”
There was no denying it—the Astleys were being ungracious.
Their discontent was written in every sideways glance and pursed lip. But if they were truly against the union, they should have intervened before the vows were exchanged. Allowing the marriage, then refusing to embrace it, was a contradiction too bitter to ignore.
Later, after dessert had been served and the final glasses of wine sipped, Rachel’s parents rose to leave. Franco lingered behind to bid farewell to Carl.
On his way out, his gaze met Corrine’s across the room.
A silent understanding passed between them, and they stepped aside into a quiet corner.
“Miss Holland, I’m sorry we couldn’t be more hospitable tonight. Rachel was raised by her grandparents… and they have reservations about this marriage…”
Franco trailed off, but Corrine didn’t need the rest filled in.
“The older generation always has their visions of how things should unfold,” she replied gently. “I understand.”
Franco exhaled, relieved by her grace. “I’ll be at the Astley residence tomorrow morning. We’ll be expecting you.”
“Alright.”
As Franco left, Jules approached, his brows slightly raised. “What were you two whispering about?”
Corrine turned, a spark of playful mischief lighting her eyes. “Take a wild guess.”
Jules forced a smile. “You’re plotting something again, aren’t you?”
A few steps away, Chelsea caught sight of Rachel’s reaction—the way her gaze lingered on Jules and Corrine. “Don’t let it get to you. They’ve always been like this. I’ll talk to Jules,” Chelsea said.
Once, this easy familiarity between Jules and Corrine might’ve been harmless. But now, he was married—and the weight of that change meant Rachel’s feelings couldn’t be treated as an afterthought anymore.
Rachel could tell Chelsea feared she might be jealous. With a soft smile that held both reassurance and restraint, she simply said, “It’s fine.”
But Chelsea hesitated, unsure if Rachel’s words sprang from sincerity or mere courtesy. After a moment’s pause, she gently took Rachel’s hand and began walking her toward the room. “Corrine went through a lot before she came back to the Ford family. Her life wasn’t easy.” She didn’t delve into the details—some truths were too tangled for casual conversation. Corrine’s past wasn’t something that could be summed up in a few sentences. Only Corrine herself could ever truly comprehend the weight of what she’d endured.
“I’m not saying this to make you pity her,” Chelsea added with quiet emphasis. “I just hope… you can try to be a little more understanding.”
Since Corrine had joined the Fords, Jules had never once shown her even a hint of resentment. If anything, he had turned fiercely protective, standing firmly in her corner whenever trouble dared to approach.
Though they were cousins, their bond ran deeper—closer than that of most siblings bound by blood.
Chelsea saw it clearly. The way Jules looked out for Corrine reminded her of a time long past—of the unshakable closeness she once shared with her brother, Arion. But after his marriage, that closeness had begun to fray, unraveling bit by bit until the warmth between them became a distant memory.
Rachel gave Chelsea’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know how much Corrine means to Jules.”
She hadn’t resented it, not even for a moment. Never had she considered coming between them.
If it had truly bothered her, she wouldn’t have stayed silent all this time.
Chelsea let out a slow breath, comforted by Rachel’s calm. “I’m glad to hear that.”
For days, she had feared Rachel might secretly harbor bitterness over Jules and Corrine’s closeness.
She knew her son well. If ever forced to choose, Jules wouldn’t hesitate—he’d choose Corrine.
In truth, it was already a miracle Rachel had become a part of the Ford family. Though she and Jules had no romantic foundation to stand on, Chelsea—like any mother—had always hoped for the best.
.
.
.