Chapter 41: Break Off the Engagement

She was unsure what their childhood memories signified, finding it even more perplexing to understand his true nature.

Casimir sighed, shaking his head before reaching out to grasp the corners of the blanket. He pulled it up to completely cover Kaylee.

To her, the gesture was unnecessary. She scoffed, unimpressed. "Drop the act. If you have nothing else to say, just leave."

"Drop the act?" Casimir retorted, irritation coloring his voice. "Do you really think someone who stands up for you is inherently good? Only the Lorimer family knows how to feign kindness! Layla set you up; she called you here to pin the blame on you! And yet you still came, and worse, took all the responsibility—like an idiot! You're so naive you'd probably thank someone for stabbing you in the back! I'm telling you, not a single person in the Lorimer family is truly good!"

"I couldn't care less if the Lorimer family is good or not, but Samuel nearly drowned me, proving he isn't. And you? You just stood there, watching me fight for my life. You're no saint either! All I know is, if it weren't for Jeremiah tonight, I'd be dead. Mr. Sutherland, what right do you have to criticize the person who saved my life?"

"He saved you, but that doesn't mean you have to marry him!" Casimir urged, his tone sincere. "Kaylee, don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. Jeremiah is not a good man. You'll regret marrying him!"

Kaylee laughed sharply. "Oh? So if I don't marry him, should I marry you instead? Mr. Sutherland, why don't you chat with the Goodridge family? Convince them to break off Waverly's engagement and take me as your bride instead?"

Casimir fell silent.

She met his gaze with cold amusement before pointing toward the door. "If you can't do that, then don't lecture me. Stay away from me forever."

Rage consumed Casimir. His voice rose from a murmur to an almost thunderous roar. "Do you even know who Jeremiah is? How much do you actually know about him? You know nothing, yet you're willing to marry him. Are you gambling with your life?"

Kaylee offered a casual glance, unfazed. "I know he was engaged to two wealthy women overseas. One died, the other vanished, and he inherited a fortune. But so what?"

She had known this for a while, having overheard gossip during her imprisonment, but considered it idle chatter, never distinguishing truth from fiction.

Casimir's frustration boiled over. "You knew all this, yet you still chose to marry him? Aren't you afraid you'll end up like those women?"

A mocking smirk played on Kaylee's lips. "Afraid? My life has never had any worth. How could I compare myself to them? I'm nothing more than a fake heiress, a woman with a level-four disability. What's your take on that, Mr. Sutherland?"

"So, you're determined to marry him?" Casimir asked, refusing to back down.

"Of course!" Kaylee scoffed. "He's from the Lorimer family; he's rich, good-looking, and has status. With him supporting me, I won't be bullied again. At least I can avoid challenges like being falsely accused of theft and imprisoned."

"You hate me, and you hate the Goodridge family. You're only doing this to get away from us." A flicker of sadness crossed Casimir's eyes. "Kaylee, can't you give us a chance to make things right?"

The nickname caught Kaylee off guard, stirring long-dormant emotions. Casimir had never spoken to her so intimately before. Back then, when she had poured her heart out to him, he had been as cold as ice. Time had passed, people had changed, and yet he was here again, stirring emotions she no longer wanted to feel.

Seconds later, she snapped back to reality, disdain crossing her face. "Mr. Sutherland, do you really plan to make it up to me? Since leaving prison, all I've gotten from you is trouble. I've been hurt repeatedly, and I nearly drowned. Were you only planning to make amends after I was dead?"

Casimir was momentarily speechless. After a brief silence, he stepped forward, gripping the hospital bed. His deep, dark eyes locked onto Kaylee's, holding her captive with his intense gaze. "I can protect you. What makes you think I can't?"

Raylee was speechless for a moment.

"You want me to break off my engagement with Waverly and marry you instead, don't you?" His gaze was intense, piercing the dim light.

Raylee's eyes flickered with emotion, her delicate dimples adding a touch of innocence to her striking beauty.