Even with his thick skin, Julian couldn’t ignore the clear message in Grace’s tone—she wanted him gone.

“Alright then, Madam Grace. Please get some rest. I’ll come visit again another time.”

Grace gave a noncommittal hum and said nothing more. The moment she realized Julian had come with an agenda, her interest had evaporated.

“See him out, Tessa.”

Tessa cheerfully agreed and followed Julian to the door.

Once they stepped outside, Julian couldn’t hold back. “Tessa, what was that about? What’s your mom trying to say?”

“Oh? Dropping the act now?” she shot back with a mocking smile. “Weren’t you all ‘Madam Grace this‘ and ‘Madam Grace that‘ just a minute ago?”

The jab wiped the smile right off Julian’s face. “Tessa, is this really how you’re going to talk to me?” he said, his voice tightening as he clenched his fists. “Can’t we just have a proper conversation for once?”

Tessa gave a nod. “Sure. Then tell me, why is your family so hell-bent on rushing this marriage?”

At first, Julian looked encouraged by her tone, but as soon as her words sank in, his face darkened again. “I already explained everything to your mom in there, didn’t I?” he said, his patience thinning. “Why do you have to keep harping on this?”

Tessa let out a cold laugh. There was no real amusement behind it, only sharp-edged sarcasm. “So you admit it’s pointless to keep pushing one issue. Then what makes you think forcing me to marry you isn’t equally pointless?”

Julian met her accusing gaze but couldn’t find a single word to say. He couldn’t let her find out the real reason his family was rushing the wedding. If she did, everything they planned would fall apart.

He drew in a long breath, trying to collect himself. “Tessa, it’s alright. Just talk to Mom again, will you? Our side still hopes the wedding can happen as soon as possible,” Julian said, reaching for her wrist as if to pull her into a hug.

But Tessa quickly stepped back. “Don’t touch me.”

Julian froze in embarrassment and reluctantly let go. “Alright, alright. I won’t.”

“Just try to see it from my side,” he added, trying to soften his tone. “I only want to be with you sooner. I hate being apart from you.”

Tessa didn’t respond to his plea. “You should go. I need to get back.”

After being shut down again and again, Julian’s face turned stiff. He had no choice but to retreat. “Fine. Just talk to your mom, okay? I’ll come by another time.”

When Tessa returned, she found Grace sitting calmly on the couch, clearly waiting for her. Tessa knew exactly what that meant. She walked over, sat down, and clung to her mother’s arm, leaning in with a soft, playful tone.

“Mom, thank you.”

Grace smiled. “You’re my daughter. Of course, I don’t want to marry you off so soon. And honestly, Julian’s eagerness is a little too much. Who knows what the Hayes family are really after.”

Tessa looked up, surprised. “So, you noticed too?”

Grace gave her nose a gentle tap. “Silly girl. I’ve seen a lot more than you think. Their little schemes are nothing new to me. They’re not getting past me so easily.”