"That's it? That's the real reason big brother is marrying her?" Amelia's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Well, what else did you think? You're such a heartless girl. I haven't seen you in years, and the one time we get to chat alone, you can't go three sentences without mentioning big brother. What's the matter? Do you still have feelings for him?"
Benjamin held back that last sentence for a long time.
Do you still have feelings for him?
Those words left Amelia completely speechless.
"Ah... Benjamin, what are you talking about? I... I'm not that naive little girl from eight years ago anymore. I'm just concerned, as... as a sister should be." The sentence wasn't long, but Amelia felt her cheeks burn as she stammered through it.
It seemed everyone lied like this, didn't they?
Benjamin sneered inwardly, but his face remained as warm as spring sunshine. "I know. If I could have a sister as lovely as you, I must have done something right in my past life."
"Benjamin, you're still the same as before. You always know how to make me feel better. I feel so at ease when you smile. I've missed you, brother." Amelia said softly, leaning gently into Benjamin's arms. She looked up at the stars scattered across the sky. "Brother, let's not talk about the past, okay? Let's just keep that as our secret..."
That thing?
When he heard those three words leave her lips, his heart fluttered with unease. "Then... do you still hate me? Amelia..."
At this moment, his heart was filled with slow-burning pain and anxiety.
After all these years, did she still hate him?
"Nonsense. How could I ever hate you, Benjamin? Why do you keep bringing up the past? Let's not talk about it anymore, alright?" Amelia raised her hand and gently brushed his chin. Her bright eyes locked firmly onto his.
At that moment, Benjamin was no longer the reckless boy he used to be.
Amelia was surprised to notice that his features and gaze resembled his older brother's. His striking, handsome face, his melancholic eyes, and the faint stubble on his chin—they all reminded her of Liam.
For a split second, she almost had the illusion that the man sitting beside her was named Liam Williams.
"Benjamin, now that I'm back, I'm not leaving again. I don't want to leave you. I just want to live happily with you, Dad, and big brother forever. But now there's one more person in the family... and it seems like I'm the outsider now. Don't you find it inconvenient?"
"Silly girl, what are you saying? You're already a member of the Williams family. How could you ever be an outsider? Besides, I'll hold you to what you said today. You're never leaving again. Otherwise, I'll be the first to object."
"Yes, Benjamin. I knew you were always the best to me."
Amelia stretched lazily and sat up from the bench. "I'm going back to rest now. I've been traveling all day, and I'm exhausted."
"Go ahead. There's a lot more to do tomorrow. Take care of yourself."
"I will. Good night, Benjamin."
Amelia stood up, slipped on her shoes, and headed home.
After taking a few steps, she sensed he was still watching her. She suddenly spun around and made a funny face at Benjamin.
Benjamin's eyes froze, as if any small gesture from her could completely captivate him.
His thoughts drifted back to a long time ago.
Ever since they were children, Benjamin had adored his sister. Everyone said she was clever, mischievous, and full of life.
In his memories, both he and his older brother—even their father—had doted on Amelia to an almost excessive degree.
One reason was that she knew how their father had helped Liam. The other was that the Williams family had grown deeply fond of their newest member.
As a child, Amelia's big brother always took the blame for everything she did wrong. When she got angry, she would even blame him.
Because of this, Amelia's personality grew more and more spoiled, even a little unreasonable at times.
But they all thought she was still young, just a child with a bit of a temper. It wasn't anything strange.
What was surprising was that, in those small moments of getting along, Benjamin had actually fallen in love with his willful sister.
Clearly, his feelings ran deeper than brotherly love.
A clever girl like Amelia must have known.
But all along, she had never given him any hope.
Because she had already given her heart to someone else.
This time, her return had given him a reason to start over.
And as for Liam...
Time washed away the memories of the past. Everyone deserved a chance to come back.
Amelia reached the entrance, closed the door, and couldn't help looking back.
The complicated expression on his face was clearly visible, and a trace of hesitation flickered in her heart.
She stood at the entrance for a moment, the clarity in her eyes completely gone. She pressed her forehead and walked upstairs as if nothing had happened.
Early morning. The first ray of sunlight streamed into the bedroom, filtering through the off-white curtains. Warm light fell softly across the bed.
At this hour, Windsor Manor was already buzzing with a lively atmosphere.
When Emma woke up, Liam was still asleep.
She couldn't bear to disturb him, so she lay quietly beside him, silently studying his chiseled features—his thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, and sexy thin lips.
Emma had been captivated by his face more than once.
She had been deeply moved by his sudden appearances more than once.
During their time together, Emma had experienced the five flavors of life for the first time.
Joy. Loss. Despair. And unexpected surprises.
Emma raised her hand and gently touched his nose. Her eyes held a hint of unease, mixed with curiosity.
Who would have thought?
She was getting married today.
Who would have thought?
The man she was about to marry was actually the prince of the Williams family, the head of a notorious warlord family in the city.
Who could have imagined?
This seemingly solemn and grand wedding...
Was just a contract.
Thinking of this, she sighed softly in her heart.
Some things, step by step, went wrong. Step by step, they led her astray.
So now, she had no chance to turn back.
No matter how hard or tiring the road ahead was, she could only keep walking.
Until she reached the end of the road.
Until she truly found happiness.
Hmm... wasn't this just a marriage?
Wasn't it just a one-year contract?
Emma vowed in her heart that she would leave Liam within one year. She would return to her normal life.
Then, she would find the one who truly belonged to her.
For now, the only thing she could do was finish the wedding and be Liam Williams's wife.