Fiona was slapped out of nowhere, completely stunned, even forgetting to pick up the fallen suit.
She looked at Harry Whitley in disbelief, her eyes gradually reddening.
Harry Whitley regained his senses the moment the slap landed on her face, the malice in his eyes instantly turning to guilt.
"No, Fiona, I-I didn’t do it on purpose..."
Fiona covered her face and immediately burst into tears; he actually hit her...
Her parents had never slapped her face!
How could he?!
Fiona didn’t listen to his explanation; she turned around, grabbed her bag, and started to leave. Harry Whitley had already come to his senses by then, quickly pulling her into an embrace despite her struggles, dragging her back into the room.
He held her tightly, repeatedly apologizing,
"Fiona, please don’t leave... I know I’m wrong. I really didn’t mean it; I just couldn’t control myself. I was in so much pain..."
Seeing Fiona still causing a commotion to leave, Harry Whitley fiercely slapped himself, then let her go, smiling bitterly,
"Just go, leaving me might be better anyway. I can’t give you the dream life anymore... Fiona, just go. I don’t want to burden you any longer."
Harry Whitley’s actions, in turn, made Fiona hesitate and stay. She kept asking what had happened.
Harry Whitley saw her anxious and worried face, feeling slightly comforted, and then ’forced’ by her constant questions, finally revealed the truth.
The failure of the magic couldn’t be hidden; instead of hiding, it was better to be clear.
He couldn’t become a wealthy man’s child anymore, so he absolutely couldn’t let Fiona go.
"The magic failed. From now on, I can only be Harry Whitley. I’m no longer worthy of you. I can’t even give you the grand wedding I promised before... How can I have the right to keep you by my side?"
Harry Whitley’s voice choked, and he actually burst into tears.
Fiona’s humiliation from being slapped vanished instantly due to his reaction; she turned to embrace him, crying,
"You big fool! Why didn’t you tell me the truth from the start?! Can’t I stand by you through thick and thin?!"
"Brother Harry, I’m not leaving! I will definitely not abandon you, please don’t give up on me."
Harry Whitley let her hold him for a long while before tightly embracing her back, gently wiping the tears from her face. He then touched her slightly red cheek, asking concernedly,
"Does it hurt?"
Fiona hesitated for a moment and shook her head.
Harry Whitley again showed a remorseful look,
"Fiona, believe me, I was truly entranced just now. You know I’ve never raised my hand against women, let alone you!"
He hesitated for a moment and added,
"Although the Life Transfer Technique failed, some habits and temperament of Chase Jennings still linger in me. That slap just now was truly not my intention; it could be the influence left by that magic. Fiona, believe me!"
Of course, Fiona believed him, especially since his explanation made sense, leaving the last bit of resentment in her heart to fade away, agreeing,
"I believe you. I think so too; that Chase Jennings, I heard he had a bad temper and would hit people; he must have influenced you."
She expressed relief, "Brother Harry, luckily you didn’t turn into him, or I’d really be heartbroken."
Harry Whitley again said many comforting words, seeing that she was truly willing to stay, then coaxed her, 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
"We can’t afford those branded clothes anymore. Tomorrow, you should return them. We don’t have much money now, maybe can’t even hire a caregiver. In the future... it might be hard on you, Isolde."
Upon hearing even the caregiver wouldn’t be hired, Fiona’s expression instantly showed some reluctance, but facing Harry Whitley’s gentle and expectant gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
After hesitating for a while, she reluctantly nodded,
agreeing.
...
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