Chapter 324

Edith stood tall beside her mother, dressed like royalty, every inch the princess she pretended to be.

The pitiful act she had put on earlier—crocodile tears and endless apologies—had vanished. Now, her gaze burned into Mari with pure venom, as if she wanted nothing more than to rip her apart.

"Mom, let me introduce you."

Edith forced a smile, locking eyes with Mari. "This is the girl I told you about—Ms. Mari, my junior high school classmate. And now, she's my brother's girlfriend." She sneered the last word. "Funny how life works, isn't it? Almost like fate is playing a joke on us."

At the mention of "girlfriend," Mari's heart twisted painfully. Her cheeks flamed, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand from Jareth's grip.

But he held on tighter, refusing to let go.

"Edith, have you said enough?" His voice darkened, edged with barely restrained fury.

With her mother's backing, Edith laughed boldly. "Jareth, what did I say that was wrong? Or is it that you only dare to spoil her in private but can't stand by her in front of Mom?" Her smile turned cruel. "Deep down, you know she's not fit to be a Fairhaven, don't you?"

"Edith, shut your mouth!" Jareth's control snapped, his eyes blazing with rage.

Lily, standing behind them, clenched her fists so hard her nails bit into her palms.

"Look at you, so angry." Edith smirked. "If I hadn't hit a nerve, would you be this furious?"

"I don't have time for this."

Jareth, ever the composed man, refused to engage in a petty argument with his sister. He turned to Mari and Lily, voice low. "Let's go."

"Wait."

Mrs. Fairhaven's icy voice cut through the air.

Jareth froze, his grip on Mari's hand tightening further.

His mother approached, an unreadable smile on her lips—one that made Jareth lower his guard for just a second.

Then, without warning, her expression twisted.

SLAP!

Mari's head snapped to the side, her cheek burning. Tears welled in her eyes from the humiliation.

"Mom!" Jareth's voice was raw with disbelief, his entire body trembling with fury.

Lily bit her lip hard, but she stayed silent. She was just an employee—she couldn't interfere.

"Do you really think you're good enough for my son?" Mrs. Fairhaven ignored Jareth's rage, her voice dripping with disdain. "I wasn't even satisfied with your sister, Glynnis. Did you really believe I'd accept you—a broken, unstable girl—into this family?"

"Mom!" Jareth stepped between them, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. "If you ever lay a hand on her again—if you ever insult her again—then you no longer have a son."

Edith gasped, stunned.

Her brother had always been the obedient son, the one who never defied their mother. And yet, for Mari, he was willing to cut ties?

"Jareth, you'd abandon me for this girl?" Mrs. Fairhaven's voice shook, her eyes filled with betrayal.

"She's not just some girl," Jareth said, his voice raw. "She's the woman I love. And if you can't accept that, then you don't accept me."

Edith's mind raced. This wasn't going as planned.

"Jareth, think about what you're doing!" she cried, playing the concerned sister. "How many women have you been with? This is just another phase! Once it passes, you'll regret hurting Mom like this!"

Mari flinched, her fingers tightening around her teddy bear.

She loved Jareth—she knew she did—but doubt crept in. Was she really worth him losing his family?

"Mom," Jareth said, his voice breaking, "I've never asked you for anything. Not once. But now, I'm asking you—begging you—to let me have this. Let me have her."

"No."

Mrs. Fairhaven's answer was absolute. "Over my dead body will that girl step foot in this house!"

Jareth's eyes burned. "Then you leave me no choice."

"You're my only son!" she screamed. "The heir to Fairhaven Corporation! If you throw everything away for her, how will I face your father in the afterlife?"

Edith smirked inwardly. Perfect.

"Jareth, think about Grandpa," she said sweetly. "Do you really think he'd approve?"

Jareth ignored her, turning back to Mari—only to find her gone.

"Mari?!"

Lily gasped. "She disappeared!"

Panic seized him. He didn't care about his mother's shouts, his sister's gloating—he only cared about her.

He ran.

The snow fell softly, blanketing the park in white.

And there she was—sitting on a swing, her dark hair dusted with snowflakes, her red coat nearly buried beneath the frost.

She looked like a lost winter spirit.

Jareth's heart shattered.

"Mari," he whispered, kneeling before her.

She blinked up at him, surprised. "How did you find me?"

"Because I'll always find you." His voice was rough with emotion.

She looked away. "Frank is coming to take me home."

His breath hitched. "You're leaving me?"

Mari shook her head quickly. "I don't want to cause you trouble. Your mother—she's right. You should listen to her."

"I only want to listen to you." He cupped her cold face, his thumb brushing her stinging cheek.

"Jareth, you should go."

He swallowed hard. "Before I do... I need to ask you something."

She waited.

His voice was barely a whisper. "Do you love me?"

For a long moment, she didn't answer.

His heart cracked.

Then—

Slowly, hesitantly, she reached up and covered his hands with hers.

"I love you, Jareth."

His breath stopped.

She continued, soft but sure. "I don't know when it happened. Maybe the first time you kissed me. Maybe when I drew you in secret. Maybe every time you stood by me, no matter what." She met his eyes. "I don't understand love well... but I think this must be it."

Jareth pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly he feared she might break.

The snow kept falling.

But for the first time in his life, he felt warm.