The Broken-hearted She And The Icy He (Lily and John) novel Chapter 492

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Grace had always prided herself on being fair. Three grandsons meant three granddaughters–in–law, and she intended to divide her jewelry evenly.

But giving any of it to Marilyn–whose eyes gleamed with nothing but calculation–made her stomach twist.

Her hand, halfway through slipping a bracelet from her wrist, froze.

Beside her, Nancy’s fingers stilled as well.

Blanc’s vision went black and then blacker. Pressing his temple, he forced himself to ask the question anyway, clinging to the faintest hope. “Victor… you really want to be engaged to her?”

“Yes.”

His voice was quiet, but the weight of it fell on the room like a stone, crushing the last of their illusions.

Blanc’s heart sank. He had always respected his children’s choices, but Marilyn–her ambition, her slyness -was not someone he could respect.

He exhaled hard, clutching his chest. “This is madness. You’ve known her for only days, and you want to be engaged? Do you even know her? Are you certain she’s the one you want for life?”

Nancy’s tone was gentler, but the concern was clear. “Victor, marriage will decide your happiness for a lifetime. Are you sure about Marilyn?”

“Dad, Mom… last night, I was set up.”

Shock rippled across their faces as he continued. “The one who drugged me has already been dealt with, sent to the police. But Marilyn saved me. Without her, I might not be here. I promised I’d take responsibility. I don’t go back on my word.”

The truth settled over them like ice.

Victor had been drugged, Marilyn had been the one at his side. They had crossed the line.

The Luke family valued honor. If he had already slept with her, they could hardly demand he discard her, no matter how they disliked her.

Silence pressed in until Blanc finally said, voice heavy, “Victor, you’re grown now. This decision is yours. But think carefully—marriage is for life.”

“I will marry Marilyn,” Victor said firmly. “I’ll take responsibility for her.”

He knew his family didn’t like her. Truthfully, he didn’t like her either.

The passion of last night already felt like a fever dream, a mistake burned away by the morning sun. Yet responsibility was responsibility. He would not abandon it.

“Next month, I’ll make the engagement official. Marriage can follow after.”

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Chapter 492 A Bitter Engagement

“Are you certain?”

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James’s eyes were sharp. He knew Marilyn well enough–he had ordered Ashton to fire her for her schemes. He didn’t want his brother tied to a woman like her.

But Victor only nodded. “Yes.”

He remembered the pounding of his heart last night, the rush of heat, the strange joy of imagining at future with the girl in his arms.

Now, all that remained was weariness.

But he was a man. A man had to stand by his choices. He had taken her body, and he would give her the life that came with it.

James’s brow remained furrowed. He hated it, but he couldn’t fight his brother’s determination. All he could do was hope that Marilyn would restrain herself. If she didn’t… not even Victor’s protection would save her.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Mother, James…”

Marilyn’s voice lilted sweetly as she greeted them one by one.

She despised Lily, but this was her first time stepping into the Luke family home. She wasn’t about to risk their favor now. Even as the bile rose in her throat, she forced a smile and turned to Nancy. “Mom…”

Nancy’s brows pinched. They weren’t even formally engaged, and Marilyn was already calling her mother. It was too much, too soon. But seeing Victor so resolute, she gave only a faint acknowledgment.

Marilyn, meanwhile, had noticed the glint of a jewelry box in Grace’s hand and the corner of an envelope peeking from Henry’s pocket.

She had made her greetings. Now, she waited–heart pounding with greedy anticipation–for the gifts she was sure would follow.

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