He Does Not Deserve My Devotion-Chapter 20: Will You Marry Me?

Aiden Sinclair and Declan Grant arrived in the private room at almost the same time. Aiden’s gaze swept across the room, pausing for half a second when it landed on Nina Walsh.

Wendy Sherman, looking incredibly anxious, saw Declan Grant and blurted out, "Brother Declan, you’re just in time! We were just talking about your marriage to my sister."

"Go on, Sis, say it. It’ll be good to have everyone here as a witness."

Wendy Sherman was practically bouncing in her seat with impatience.

Aiden Sinclair’s lips thinned as he stared coldly at Nina Walsh. But behind that icy gaze, an indescribable emotion flickered in the depths of his eyes.

He held Nina Walsh in contempt, yet watching her stand and gaze at Declan Grant with such affection sent a sharp, twisting pain through his heart, like the slow cut of a dull knife.

Nina Walsh stood up and looked at Declan Grant. "Second Brother Grant and I grew up together. He’s always taken special care of me. For every single birthday before I turned eighteen, he would prepare a surprise for me—from candy when I was three to my first pair of high heels when I was eighteen. There’s no one in this world who is kinder or understands me better than he does. Second Brother Grant, will you marry me?"

Backed into a corner by Wendy Sherman, Nina Walsh was caught in a dilemma. The sudden appearance of Declan Grant was like the arrival of a savior.

’Regarding her engagement to Declan Grant,’ she thought, ’if he’s the one to refuse, the Grant Family won’t blame me, and The Sheridan Family will have no hold over me. I can escape the situation completely unscathed.’

Declan Grant knew about her entanglement with Aiden Sinclair. He also knew she was pregnant. On top of that, she had already introduced Milo Preston to the Grant Family as her fake boyfriend.

’Declan Grant will definitely refuse me.’ Nina couldn’t think of a single reason he would agree to marry her. She was certain of it. That’s why she had taken the initiative to "profess her feelings" and ask him to marry her.

"Second Brother Grant, will you marry me?"

Nina Walsh looked at Declan Grant, her gaze conveying a silent, urgent message only he could understand: ’Refuse me.’

Declan Grant’s expression turned serious. "Nina, did you know? I’ve been waiting for you to grow up. I’ve been waiting for this day. Nina, please, marry me."

Nina Walsh’s face was a mask of astonishment as Declan Grant reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Her gaze traveled over his shoulder and met the eyes of the other man in the room, their gazes locking in mid-air.

A layer of frost seemed to cover Aiden Sinclair’s face, his gaze radiating an icy chill.

But Nina had no mind to pay him any attention. Right now, she needed to have a serious talk with Declan Grant.

Mrs. Grant’s expression soured. "Marriage is a serious matter. It requires both families to sit down and discuss things properly. We’ll talk about the wedding later."

"Of course, Mom. Whatever you say. I’ll take Nina home now."

Declan Grant led Nina Walsh out of the private room. The moment they were in the elevator, she asked impatiently, "Second Brother Grant, why didn’t you refuse me? I was clearly signaling for you to say no!"

Nina felt as if her world was about to come crashing down, but Declan Grant simply laughed as if it were nothing.

"Don’t get so worked up. It’s not a big deal. It was just a declaration, not like we’re actually getting married tomorrow. I don’t want to get married this early, and my mom has been hounding me about it. This is perfect—you can be my shield."

"That’s not it, you... you know my situation... This isn’t fair to you..."

Declan Grant cut her off. "There’s nothing unfair about it. Think of it as mutual assistance. Don’t you want to have the baby? We can cover for each other. My research project has just gotten on track, and it’ll be years before I see any results. I have no interest in romance, much less the shackles of family life so soon." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Nina looked at him dubiously. "Really?"

Declan Grant poked her on the forehead. "Of course, it’s true."

Nina let out a small sigh of relief. ’Right, I’m overthinking this,’ she thought. ’With my situation, carrying another man’s child... Declan isn’t stupid enough to willingly become a cuckold.’

Declan Grant continued, "Nina, last month I used all my savings to fund a research lab in Moraine. I’ve already submitted my resignation to the hospital here. If all goes well, I’ll be heading to Moraine next month to continue my work. If you’re willing, you can come with me as my fiancée. Once we’re abroad, we’ll find a place for you to have the baby, and then we can call off the engagement."

Declan Grant had thought of everything for her; even her own brother wouldn’t have made such considerate arrangements. Nina was so moved she was at a loss for words.

Initially, Declan Grant had also advised Nina to terminate the pregnancy. It was a miracle that the baby had survived such a difficult ordeal, but there was no guarantee there wouldn’t be long-term complications.

But Nina had insisted. She had a condition that made it difficult for her to conceive, and she knew if she lost this baby, she might never be able to have another.

Given Nina’s insistence, Declan Grant had given her a medication he was developing—one designed to help sustain a pregnancy.

Without a doubt, Declan Grant’s plan was the best and safest option for Nina.

"Second Brother Grant, you’re too good to me. I don’t know how I can ever thank you," Nina said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Don’t say that. We’re not strangers. For now, let’s keep the plan to go abroad a secret. You just focus on handling the situation with Maelie."

The elevator reached the lower-level parking garage. Just as they stepped out, Declan Grant’s phone rang insistently.

Nina knew it must be a call from the hospital. "Second Brother, you should head back to the hospital. I can get a cab home myself."

"Alright. Call me when you get home."

After watching Declan Grant leave, Nina got back into the elevator and went up to the ground floor. When the doors opened, Aiden Sinclair was standing right there in the doorway.

Nina pretended not to see him and tried to step past, but a hand suddenly snaked around her waist.

Aiden Sinclair yanked her back into the elevator, and Nina shoved at him with all her might.

"Let go of me! What do you think you’re doing?"

Aiden Sinclair took a step forward, pinning her against the wall. "Yesterday it was Milo Preston, today it’s Declan Grant. Who’s it going to be tomorrow?"

Nina arched an eyebrow and said, enunciating every word, "None of your damn business!"

Aiden Sinclair stared at Nina. The woman before him was like a thorny hedgehog, a world away from the one who used to find any excuse to cling to his side.

Suddenly, Aiden reached out, tilted her chin up, and crushed his lips against hers.

Stunned for a few seconds, Nina started pounding on his chest. "Aiden Sinclair, have you lost your mind?"

Instead of backing away, he took advantage of the moment she spoke to deepen the kiss, invading her mouth.

’He really had gone mad.’

’He had only come back for the phone he’d left behind. But the moment he saw her, an overwhelming desire to conquer and possess her had surged within him.’

’He hated her defiant gaze. He wanted her to submit, to be the docile, obedient woman she had always been for him.’

Nina bit down—hard. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. Aiden instantly let her go, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his lip.

Just then, the elevator doors slid open, and Nina bolted out.

Aiden chased after her, grabbing her by the arm. Her strength gave out, and her back slammed into the corner of the wall.

A sharp, cramping pain shot through her abdomen. All the strength drained from her body, and feeling dizzy, she crumpled to the ground.

Aiden sensed something was wrong and caught her as she fell. "What’s wrong?"

Nina’s face was deathly pale. She pointed a trembling finger at her purse on the floor, her lips quivering as she managed a single word: "Meds..."

Aiden snatched the purse off the floor and found a small bottle inside. There was a single pill left in it.