Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Ophelia
Ophelia’s face turned red.
"Are you really siding with an outsider against your own sister?"
Jay glared at her. "She’s not an outsider. She’s my future wife."
Ophelia’s hands shook with rage. She spat out,
"Whatever you think, give up now. Our parents already arranged a marriage for you. The girl is bringing one thousand kilograms of rice as dowry. She’ll even provide meals for years. Forget this engagement with Ember. Ember, you should be smart enough to know your place, too."
Ember’s whole body trembled.
Her heart pounded so loud it felt like everyone could hear it.
’One thousand kilograms of rice...’
She knew how tempting such a dowry was. In times like these, when people were starving, rice was equal to a 24-carat diamond ring.
And someone was ready to give 1000 of it! Just as a dowry!
’How can I even compare to something like that? I have nothing to offer him. What if Jay is tempted? What if he leaves me?’
She knew Jay was handsome. Too handsome.
During their dating years, many had tried to seduce him too, but that time she was assured, thinking that none had a background as good as hers.
It wouldn’t be strange at all if someone tried to win him with such an outrageous offer.
Now, knowing that another woman was willing to give so much rice, Ember’s anxiety grew.
Jay’s face darkened. He pointed at his sister.
"Ophelia, keep your mouth shut. If you think you’re some kind of justice god, then follow what I said earlier. Stop interfering."
Without sparing her another look, he grabbed Ember’s hand.
He was about to drag her away when Ember’s steps froze.
Though she tried to keep her voice steady, it still cracked toward the end, "Jay... are you going to marry that girl?"
Jay stopped at once. His eyes widened in shock.
"No. Never. I will never marry anyone other than you, Ember," Jay said firmly.
He turned back to his sister.
"Tell Father and Mother this. If they keep pushing me to marry that stranger, then I will end my life before that wedding ever happens. I would rather die than marry a stranger."
Ophelia chuckled coldly.
"Then answer me, brother. If you knew the girl personally, and she still brought such a big dowry, would you marry her? You said it yourself. You make it sound like you would."
Jay was taken aback by his own sister’s words twisting ability.
"Stop twisting my words! I said I will never marry anyone other than Ember. Even if I know that girl, even if she gives ten thousand kilograms of rice, I will not marry her. Ember is the only one I love."
Ophelia rolled her eyes. "It’s not up to you. The family has already decided."
Jay ignored her. He tightened his grip on Ember’s hand and dragged her away.
Once they were far enough from the house, Ember suddenly hugged him tightly. Her whole body trembled.
Even under the dazzling sun, her body had turned cold.
Jay felt her shaking and quickly wrapped his arms around her.
"Ember, don’t listen to Ophelia. She’s speaking nonsense. I only care about you."
Ember buried her face against his chest and whispered, "I was so scared... scared you might leave me."
Jay stroked her back gently, feeling the wetness of her tears soak his shirt. His heart softened.
He tilted her chin up and wiped her tears away.
"Don’t cry. I’ve promised you, and I’ll never break my promise. I love only you, Ember. I will only marry you."
Her breathing steadied a little, and she finally managed a small smile.
"If that’s true... then I will make sure to prepare a dowry for you. A huge one."
Jay chuckled and tapped her nose. "I don’t need any dowry from you."
Ember pouted. "But I want to. And by the way... who that arranged marriage girl is?"
Jay shrugged. "I don’t know who she is, and I don’t care. She could be a queen, and I still wouldn’t look her way. For me, the only person that matters is you."
Ember’s cheeks flushed red.
She lightly tapped his chest. "You really know how to say sweet words."
Jay smirked.
"Sweet words? Worst comes to worst, I’ll just marry you and live in your house as a son-in-law. Then you’ll be my boss, and I’ll be at the mercy of my wife."
Ember laughed softly, hugging him again. "I made the best decision when I accepted your proposal."
Jay’s eyes softened. He hugged her back tightly, but in his mind, a memory resurfaced.
He remembered the days when he struggled just to pay tuition.
He had handed out flyers for tutoring, desperate for a little money.
Then one day, Ember had seen those flyers.
The next morning, she quietly arranged for him to get a scholarship.
Even though he had only ranked third in the whole grade and normally wouldn’t qualify, Ember made sure he had the support he needed.
Later, he discovered that Ember had even sponsored him from her own pocket, but she never bragged and never used it to get closer to him.
She only did it quietly because she had been touched by his dedication.
From that moment, he had fallen for her. He vowed to himself that no matter what, Ember would be the only girl in his heart.
Even now, he held onto that vow.
’Ember is the reason I lived through my darkest days. She is the reason I want to keep living. Without her, I am nothing.’
Unaware of his deep thoughts,
Ember sniffled and suddenly said, "In the future, when I find my sister, if there’s any extra food, I’ll give it to you as dowry."
Jay blinked, then burst out laughing.
Ember glared at him. "How can you laugh at my sincerity!"
Jay shook his head and smiled warmly.
"Ember, you still don’t understand. The greatest gift you can ever give me is simply becoming my wife. That’s all I’ll ever want."