NovelOnlineAurelia choked on her words, quickly waving her hand in dismissal.
"Look, that's not what | meant," she said with a raised eyebrow. "You're drop-dead gorgeous, and your figure is to die for. How could | ever compete with you? Your charm outshines mine by a thousand, maybe even a million times, so the jerk Fredric isn't worthy of you. If you were up for it, you could have your pick of eligible bachelors lined up. You deserve the cream of the crop, not the bottom of the barrel, you know? Beauty and youth don't last forever. You need to snag the best husband while you're in your prime. If you got stuck with a jerk, you would have nothing once your looks faded." Jelena flicked a stray hair behind her ear, her voice calm and steady. "This is a perfect chance to test Fredric, to see if his feelings forare genuine. Isn't that a good thing? It proves his love is real if he was willing to leave the Stirling family for me." Aurelia sighed, her conviction strong. It was an impossible dream. When it cdown to family ties or a fling, all men would choose the former without a second thought.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe'd never dare to hope Leopold would choose her over his family. She was sure he would never pick her over his family's interests beyond a shadow of a doubt.
But a woman head over heels in love often refuses to see the writing on the wall.
It might be good for Jelena to see Fredric's true colors.
Their conversation was interrupted by the doorbell. Fredric had arrived.
Upon seeing Aurelia, he offered a casual smile. "Hey, Aurelia. Good to see you here." "Just cto catch up with Jelena," Aurelia replied.
Fredric had planned to talk to Aurelia, who had unexpectedly sided with Sheryl, leaving him utterly perplexed.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmJelena's demeanor was icy. "Fredric, let's keep our distance until things between you and Sheryl are over officially. | don't need rumors or backbiting. I've never been the other woman in you two's . Why would | waste my ton a married man when | have my pick of the singles?" Fredric quickly turned on the charm. "Jelena, you're my woman now, and I'll take care of you. I'm working on the divorce. Just be patient." Aurelia rolled her eyes, despising men and their lies.
Could her clever cousin fall for his tricks? Was it love or just dopamine clouding her judgment? As she pondered, Fredric's gaze landed on her. "Aurelia, are you backing Sheryl at the family council?" She nodded firmly. "Yeah, | am. | don't think you're serious about Jelena. It's just a fling for you." Fredric looked a little helpless. "I care about Jelena. She's special, not like the others." "And will you stay faithful to her?" Aurelia pressed.
Fredric spread his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Il promised Jelena to be a better man. | haven't touched another woman since." Aurelia continued, "Marriage is for life. Twenty, thirty years from now, when Jelena's beauty has faded, will you still be interested?" Fredric replied, "I can't guarantee the future. No one can, not even Leopold and his vows of eternal fidelity. The one promise | can make is that I'll never abandon Jelena. She'll always be my wife. Only her children will be my heirs." Aurelia felt like she was going to curse. His words reeked of the old 'l won't leave my wife, but | can't promise to be faithful’ routine.
With his track record, a lifelong commitment seemed highly unlikely.
"Leopold promisedhis undying loyalty," she retorted, her voice laced with determination. "Why would | settle for him otherwise? I've got options. My husband has to stick to a strict moral code with no two-timing or philandering allowed."
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