Love at First Sight? Mr. Harrison Has Been Scheming All Along-Chapter 72: "If We Start, There Is No Path to Separation.
His voice was right by her ear, so close it sent a tingling sensation through her.
"I..."
"It’s okay. Wait a little longer." Just as Rory Linden was about to answer, Sean Harrison cut her off. "Rory Linden, take some more time to get to know me."
Rory Linden was so thin. As he held her, it felt as if the slightest pressure from his hand could snap her slender waist in two.
Even so, his hand tightened around her uncontrollably.
He hadn’t been working when she entered the study.
He wanted to tell her about his shameful past.
He wanted her to give him an answer only after knowing everything.
But when she took out that piece of candy, it effortlessly shattered all his mental resolve.
He realized...
...that he really couldn’t accept a "no" from her.
"Sean Harrison, actually..." Rory Linden opened her eyes again and wrapped her arms around his neck. "We can get to know each other while we’re dating."
A slight tremor passed through Sean Harrison’s dark eyes.
Rory Linden continued, "But you have to promise me one thing."
"Name it."
The tension in Sean Harrison’s hand on her waist finally eased.
His entire body relaxed a little as well.
Rory Linden asked, "How much money did you give Gary Sinclair today?"
Sean Harrison already knew what she was going to say but answered truthfully, "Five hundred and forty thousand."
Rory Linden tilted her head up, her beautiful eyes meeting his dark ones. "When I start making money, I’ll pay you back that five hundred and forty thousand."
Of course, Sean Harrison didn’t care about the five hundred and forty thousand.
But...
...if this was the condition that would keep her by his side, he was more than happy to agree.
"Alright. No interest, no deadline," Sean Harrison promised.
Rory Linden seriously considered her salary. "I’ll aim for within five years."
Sean Harrison: "That’s fine."
"One more thing." Rory Linden looked at his face. "I’m just an ordinary person. You’re seeing me through rose-tinted glasses. So, if one day you meet someone you like, or you become disappointed in me, you can tell me anytime. I won’t cling to you."
They were very close at this moment.
Sean Harrison was constantly aware that he was still sick and couldn’t kiss her.
He shifted his position, bent down, and lifted her onto the wide desk, placing his hand over the back of hers where she gripped the edge.
"But that’s not an option for me." Sean Harrison’s gaze was fixed on her. "If you ever become disappointed in me, you have to tell me. I can change, but you can’t leave me."
Rory Linden froze.
His words were completely beyond her expectations.
Sean Harrison raised his hand, his fingers tracing her lips as he fought the urge to kiss her.
"We either don’t start this, or if we do, there’s no path to breaking up." Sean Harrison took a step back, straightening up slightly. "So think about it carefully. I’m a rather traditional person. Once you become my girlfriend, our relationship will only change from lovers to husband and wife. Even in death, we’ll be buried together."
Rory Linden was in disbelief. "But... haven’t you considered that you might fall in love with someone else..." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"I won’t," Sean Harrison said, looking at her. "And if you’re my girlfriend, then you can’t, either."
This was his bottom line.
He had to tell her from the very beginning.
And he needed her to think about this very carefully.
"Alright, get some rest. Give me your answer after you’ve thought it through." Sean Harrison withdrew his gaze and started walking toward the door. "If you’re not sure, then take a little longer. There’s no rush to give me an answer."
In the end, he still chose to temporarily hide his past.
-
For the next two days, they continued their routine as before, commuting to and from work together.
But a suitable opportunity to bring up the matter of defining their relationship never arose.
From Friday to Saturday, Rory Linden worked a night shift and then had morning appointments at the outpatient clinic.
When she saw off her last patient and walked out of the consultation room, the first person she saw was Sean Harrison standing at the door.
"What are you doing here? Are you waiting for me?"
Rory Linden was stunned.
"My company is having its employee physicals, so I came to get one done too," Sean Harrison said with a smile. "If I want to date a doctor, I should at least prove I’m in good health with evidence she can trust, right?"
"I just had a checkup in the first half of the year. The report is in my office, I’ll go get it for you in a bit."
"No need."
The two of them chatted as they walked out.
Just as they left the outpatient lobby, they saw Evelyn Irving in the distance, heading toward the inpatient department with a nanny.
The nanny was carrying two insulated containers, clearly there to deliver lunch.
"Sean, Rory."
Evelyn Irving greeted them warmly when she saw them.
After the last incident, Rory Linden no longer had any warm feelings for Evelyn Irving. It was a good thing they weren’t actually family; cutting emotional ties was easier that way.
"Sister-in-law," Sean Harrison called out politely, then explained, "Rory worked the night shift yesterday. She’s just going to change, and then we’re heading home."
Evelyn Irving understood the implication and didn’t press for more small talk. "Alright, alright. I’m heading to the inpatient department anyway. Let’s walk together."
The three of them walked together.
Evelyn Irving had completely emerged from the shadow of Miles Harrison’s car accident. Her face was full of relief as she said, "I never thought I’d have a grandchild so soon. I can’t believe Lucy got pregnant this quickly. The thought of becoming a grandmother soon makes me feel like all the hardship and exhaustion was worth it."
"Congratulations."
Sean Harrison spoke, his tone indifferent, as if he had no interest in the matter whatsoever.
The trio had just reached the entrance to the inpatient department when they saw Lucy Shaw already waiting there.
"Oh, Lucy, what are you doing down here!"
Evelyn Irving hurried over to her.
Lucy Shaw took Evelyn Irving’s arm. "Mom, you bring me food every day, I feel so bad. I came downstairs especially to wait for you today."
"You’re carrying our family’s grandson. Isn’t it only right that I bring you food?"
Evelyn Irving looked at Lucy Shaw, her eyes filled with joy.
For a fleeting moment, she genuinely couldn’t understand why she had been so fixated on having Rory Linden as her daughter-in-law all those years ago.
A well-bred young lady like Lucy Shaw, from a family of equal standing and good upbringing, was the ideal choice for a daughter-in-law.
To show what a good mother-in-law she was, Evelyn Irving commented on how hot it was outside while guiding Lucy Shaw indoors.
The four of them had just entered the inpatient department lobby when a police car, siren wailing, drove into the hospital grounds.
It met no resistance, driving straight up to the inpatient building and stopping right in front of the main entrance.
Two police officers got out. One of them ran to the information desk to ask for the floor of the OB/GYN department.
The other officer immediately spotted Lucy Shaw standing off to the side!
"There she is!" the officer said, striding quickly toward Lucy Shaw. After showing his badge, he said, "Lucy Shaw, based on the latest leads we have, you are connected to the Andre Jennings car vandalism case. You need to come back to the station for questioning. Please cooperate with us."
