Chapter 23: The Past and Present
Teagan had always been a man of integrity, a hardworking soul who preferred the quiet of his work to the noise of social life. But when Jazlynn pushed him, relentless in her desire for a better life, he sacrificed his own comfort to meet her expectations. He quit his job and entered the world of business, a world he wasn’t particularly fond of but knew he had to navigate for her sake.
His intelligence and practicality made him successful in his endeavors, and soon, the Schwartz family business began to thrive. However, as the business grew, so did the distance between him and his family. His long hours and mounting responsibilities meant that Teagan was less and less present at home.
The last time Valerie saw her father was in the sterile, quiet environment of a hospital room. He lay frail on the clean hospital bed, his once strong hands now thin and weak, but still holding hers with what little strength he had left.
“Valerie, those antiques are all yours,” Teagan said, his voice trembling with effort. “Remember, they are for you only. Never… never give them to anyone, including your mother.”
At the time, Valerie didn’t fully understand the gravity of her father’s words. It wasn’t until she stood at his funeral, looking at Landen and Abbigail, that the truth hit her. Jazlynn had been unfaithful while Teagan was away, having an affair with Landen, which had resulted in Abbigail.
All the family’s wealth, built by Teagan’s hands, had been transferred to Jazlynn. But the antiques from the villa—those, at least, were something her father had kept just for her.
That was the legacy he left her: the antiques, a testament to his craftsmanship and love. Valerie carried them with her, from the north to the south and back again. She would protect them, honor her father’s wishes, and preserve what little was left of him.
As Valerie drove, her mind filled with these memories, she was abruptly pulled back to the present by a new notification on her phone. It was a message from Ricky:
“Let’s meet on Wednesday night at the entrance of Scarlet Hotel.”
Her brow furrowed as she stared at the message. The Scarlet Hotel was where she was currently staying, but their meeting wasn’t supposed to be until Friday when they were supposed to register their marriage.
She quickly typed a response:
“Isn’t it scheduled to do marriage registration on Friday?”
After sending the message, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance. It seemed like Ricky had a way of complicating things.
When the message popped up, Ricky could almost hear the disdain in her tone. A small, almost smug smile crept across his face as he read her reply.
“Well, we are getting married for the sake of alliance, without affection,” he replied, his words dripping with charm. “But after all, we’ll be spending the rest of our lives together. I don’t want to be captured by reporters on the day of our marriage registration, with news of a newlywed couple turning a cold shoulder to each other.”
His smile deepened, the calculated nature of his words clear.
“Therefore, it’s necessary to meet and practice a little bit in advance.”
Valerie scowled at her phone screen. Ricky’s words were calculated, rehearsed, and lacking any warmth. She wasn’t sure what exactly she was supposed to feel—anger, frustration, or simply resignation. She wasn’t marrying him for love, but for a connection, a strategic partnership that made sense on paper.
Still, the idea of “practicing” felt strange, almost artificial. Yet, as much as she hated to admit it, she knew Ricky had a point. The pressure to maintain appearances, especially for something as public as a marriage, was immense.
But as she set her phone down, her thoughts drifted back to Teagan’s words. She couldn’t help but wonder—would she ever find a way to reclaim her father’s legacy, to honor him and make her own choices? Or would she continue to play the role that others had scripted for her?
For now, though, it seemed like she had no choice but to meet Ricky at the Scarlet Hotel.
