Chapter 3

3 It was Hudson Pierce.

Out of all five candidates my father had selected, Hudson was the one I understood the least.

He taught at the same university as Declan, but he was notorious for being an absolute slacker.

In his youth, he had been a legendary troublemaker, constantly getting into street fights, ditching classes, and running wild.

As an adult, he lived lavishly, threw money around, and once nearly put someone in a coma during a bar brawl.

Only his family's immense wealth and legal power had kept him out of prison.

To keep him out of trouble, his parents made a massive donation to the university to secure him a nominal teaching post.

Because he had no real academic interest, he was just a campus fixture who barely showed up, and serious students avoided his lectures at all costs.

The other candidates were self-made men, polite, stable, and hardworking.

They had great personalities and decent looks.

Yet next to Hudson Pierce, all of them paled in comparison when it came to sheer presence and raw charisma.

More importantly, the Pierce family owed my father a massive personal favor from years ago. His parents were decent people, so even if our marriage lacked love, I knew I wouldn't be mistreated.

With that in mind, I took a deep breath, bought some gifts, and paid a visit to the Pierce estate.

When Hudson's mother heard my proposal and learned about my father's illness, she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

"Are you truly willing to marry our Hudson?"

"That boy is an absolute menace. Did he do something to force your hand?"

I couldn't help but smile, shaking my head quickly.

"No, Mrs. Pierce. This is entirely my own choice."

I handed over the gifts I had brought. Mrs. Pierce's eyes glistened with tears as she immediately unclasped a heavy, exquisite gold necklace from her neck and fastened it around mine.

"Good girl. I don't have anything better prepared right now, so please take this for now."

My cheeks flushed warm.

"Mrs. Pierce, shouldn't we ask Hudson what he thinks first?"

"No need to ask him!"

Mrs. Pierce waved her hand dismissively, beaming from ear to ear.

"Who cares what he thinks? I've always wanted you as my daughter anyway. Just think of it as marrying into my household!"

A soft laugh escaped my lips.

I remembered how kind Mrs. Pierce had always been to me over the years.

I knew her warmth was genuine.

We quickly set a preliminary timeline: a formal engagement party in one month, followed by a wedding six months later. Mrs. Pierce promised to handle informing her son.

With the arrangements settled, I returned to the hospital to watch over my father.

To my immense relief, his eyes were open when I walked into the room.

The moment he saw me, a weak smile touched his lips.

"My sweet girl…"

Tears instantly filled my eyes, and I rushed to his bedside, burying my face against his shoulder.

"Dad!"

After ten long years, I finally had my father back.

He gently stroked my hair, his movements much slower than I remembered.

Time had taken its toll; he looked so much older and frail.

After we caught up for a while, he looked at me with soft concern.

"You're twenty-eight now, Elena. Is there a young man you like?"

"I'm getting old, and my health isn't what it used to be. Who will take care of you when I'm gone…"

I nodded firmly and gave him a bright smile.

"Actually, Dad, there is. He's one of the suitors you picked out for me years ago."

"Are you serious?"

Two voices spoke simultaneously.

One was full of delighted surprise, while the other trembled with sheer disbelief.

I turned around to see Declan standing in the doorway, staring at me with a look of utter panic.