“The paper… I will sign it." I had to clench my teeth to stop myself from smiling as I said those words.
Marcus looked down at me half- relieved, and half- regretful. What was supposed to be regretful? I couldn’t bear him a child…
Cassandra sneered and didn’t even try to hide the proud smile on her face as she rubbed her belly.
The Avery family which I came from is indebted to the Xheng family. Back then, our great grandfathers, grandfather Jack Avery and grandfather Cole Xheng were both soldiers of the X War. The two were great friends and the status of the Avery family was much greater than that of the Xheng family.
During the war, grandfather Cole took the bullet that was supposed to kill grandfather Jack. Fortunately, the bullet missed the vital part of the body and his friend survived.
The Xheng family raided our household and asked for a compensation, grandfather Cole opposed however, due to guilt, grandfather Jack agreed to marry one of his descendants to the Xheng family and an agreement was made. However, at that time his children were all males and the Xheng family of that generation were also males. The agreement came to a halt and was supposed to be discussed after the next generation, however, the death of grandfather Cole changed everything.
The Xheng family drove grandfather Jack to the dead end and he eventually fell into their scheme. Knowing he could not do anything, grandfather Jack convinced the other side to give a leeway for the next generation. However, he was betrayed to believe that they followed what he requested and the opposite was written.
“The seed of the Xheng blood can only have the honor to burn the rope binding the bloods of the Xheng and the Avery. Until then, the debt of the Avery to the Xhengs will never be forgotten.”
My grandfather’s heart sank and became depressed to the point of being bedridden. At that time, it was announced to the family that my mother was pregnant with a child, which was me. The whole family kept my mother’s pregnancy to prevent the marriage however, Head Lou of the Xheng family was able to get the grasp of the news and the engagement between me and Marcus was made.
Grandfather Jack became furious of the news of the engagement and stormed to the house of Xhengs. He reasoned with the elders and the leaders but could not win against them. He asked for a time to be with his grand-daughter and was able to convince the Xheng family.
They gave us 20 years to prepare.
After losing ¾ of the business we owned to the Xheng family, our family moved to the countryside and my mother gave birth to me there. Two other younger brothers followed after me and my 1st aunt also gave birth to my older first male cousin and his sister who is 3 years younger than me. Lastly, my 2nd aunt gave birth to twins who are both male.
The Xheng family could not resist their greed and continually took over most of our business in the city with the reason that Avery and Xheng family are of one blood. Grandfather Xheng passed away and grandfather Clark took over the family where he gave up all of the businesses the Xheng was able to infiltrate. Our family became poorer and poorer until we were left with five local businesses. The schemes of the Xheng stopped after 10 years and we were able to live a low key life the rest of the years left of the 20 years agreement.
At present, NYU International Airport
Bustling crowds were gathered at the pick- up terminal to welcome their loved once. They looked at the arrival entrance with eager and excitement. The loud speaker reverberated continuously in the vast hall: “Flight XXXX from LA has arrived at the terminal safely. Please have your family and friends prepare to pick you up. Welcome to New York.”
Not long afterwards, the passengers who exited the plane dragged their luggage out of the hallway with their family and/or friends. The crowd slowly became smaller and smaller and a slender figure slowly emerged within the crowd.
At the back of the airport, a small white board emerged with her name written on it. Astrid Avery walked slowly to that direction while bowing her head down slightly.
The awaited daughter-in-law of the Xheng family was greeted in such a secretive way. As if they were trying to hide this from the news.
A week ago, the Avery family was sent an official letter from the main house of the Xheng family that Astrid is to arrive New York the very next week to continue the engagement.
Originally, she was someone who has an unbreakable façade, so she usually maintained a calm temperament. However, after she received the news of the engagement, she started to stare into blank space and would suddenly giggle eerily.
Later when Marcus Xheng was supposed to greet his fiancée at the airport in New York, he just ordered Butler Su to get three other maids to greet his fiancée.
Finally the servants see a humble clothed slender Young Miss whose head remained bowed down. Thinking of the life the lady will experience in the house of Xheng, the butlers and the maids shook their heads slightly.
“A young rabbit like this will be eaten away by those vicious wolf. Just what are the Avery family thinking?” the butler looked at Astrid with pity as they lead her to the main house of Xhengs.
Astrid was guided by Butler Su to come out of the car. Astrid kept a quiet and shy image and only stared at the mansion left and right as she got out of the car. On the second floor, after seeing the figure who got out of the car, Marcus frowned as he walked away from the window.
Astrid looked up on the exact location Marcus was at and then walked at the door. A figure gradually emerged and appeared in sight. She stared at the man whom she assumed was her so called fiancée.
A white shirt, blue collared windbreaker; he leaned on the railing. Thick black eyebrows, a straight nose, then lips raised in an arc, and a pair of arrogant eyes that looked down on people.
Looking at the man before her, Astrid bowed down and thought; his attractiveness was covered by his arrogance.
This man… such pity… she shook her head secretly. However, such a thought made her laugh at herself in the inside; you pity someone else but you cannot even pity yourself. In a family as prestigious as his, he was clearly raised spoiled without having to experience hardship.
“Eldest Miss Astrid, you seem to be fine looking considering you came from a countryside.”
Marcus mocked her as he walked down the stairs. Astrid at the time didn’t wear any make up so her complexion was fresh and gentle- like. Her calm stagnant eyes, long eyebrows, full lips, and coupled with her long black hair was hidden through her baggy, countryside, and old outfit.
She took another look at the man who was taller than her and nodded her head. This piqued the interest of Marcus who was used to woman clinging and seducing him all day long.
He suddenly broke into a low laughter and walked nearer.
Astrid’s pair of phoenix eyes looked up the tall man who gradually bent over in front of her.
He took her hand and his warm lips fell on the back of her hand which took Astrid aback as she suppressed herself to slap the man in front of her.
With a smirk, a low voice escaped from his thin lips:
“Nice to meet you, my fiancée.”