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"Oh, Morpheus, how could you be rude to your old friend? You didn't even offer them a chair. Naughty," she scolded lightly.
Morpheus was about to say that they had just arrived, but his wife didn't give him the chance.
"Please, we can't just stand here when our food is already getting cold," she said. "This way." She gestured for them to follow, and they all walked out of the office to where dinner awaited.
The hall was luxuriously decorated, prepared exclusively for the two families. A large round table stood at the center with six chairs—three for the Morpheus family and three for the Wilfords. Dishes of rich delicacies and bottles of expensive wine were set before them. The servers carefully dished the food and poured the wine before stepping aside.
Aurora nodded at the head chef, who instantly understood and withdrew with the rest of the servers.
"Food is served. Please, enjoy your meal," Morpheus said cheerfully, picking up his cutlery and beginning to eat with his wife. The Wilfords, however, sat motionless.
"Why aren't you eating?" Aurora asked when she noticed their untouched plates.
"We came for something more important than food. We both know that," Wilford replied firmly.
"There you go again—always so serious. You haven't changed a bit, Wilford. Ha-ha!" Morpheus laughed. Then he suddenly stopped. "But we'll talk after dinner. First, we eat."
The atmosphere grew tense, but the Wilfords struggled to remain calm.
"What about your son?" Elsa asked cautiously.
"He won't be—"
"He is on his way," Aurora cut her husband off quickly, forcing a nervous smile.
"Oh… okay," Elsa murmured.
"Excuse us, please," Morpheus said, rising with his wife.
Once they were in the washroom, he glared at her. "Why do you have to lie?"
"Why shouldn't i ? Do you want them to change their minds?"
"You and I both know Sullivan isn't coming. What if they decide to wait?"
"Morpheus, if you're going to act, you better act smart. After the meal, we'll talk business. Then, if necessary, we'll tell them Sullivan is stuck in traffic."
Morpheus shrugged. "Fine. We'll stick to your plan."
Minutes later, they returned. Aurora raised her glass.
"Before my son arrives, shall we rise a toast to the beautiful lady in our midst?"
"Cheers!"
Elsa and Wilford exchanged a glance before reluctantly lifting their glasses.
"A toast," Aurora continued smoothly, "to the beautiful young woman before us—our soon-to-be bride."
Abigail's heart raced as she lifted the glass to her lips.
After the meal, silence settled at the table like an uninvited guest. Abigail felt her chest tighten with each second. She dared not raise her eyes to meet Morpheus'.
The man despite his old age he still look hot and handsome, she begin to imagine how Sullivan will look, does he look like his father or mother?
Morpheus leaned back in his chair, swirling his glass of wine with deliberate calmness. Then he smiled—a smile that carried no warmth.
"Now that we've eaten, let's get to the heart of the matter," he said smoothly, his gaze shifting from Wilford to Abigail.
"Wilford, you and I have unfinished business. Old debts have a way of haunting those who forget them."
Wilford's jaw tightened. "I never forgot, Morpheus. I simply couldn't pay. Life gave me battles I wasn't prepared for."
Aurora, sensing the tension crackling between both families, forced a nervous laugh and raised her hands as though to calm the room.
"Please, let's not allow the past to cast its shadows here," she said softly, her tone both gentle and firm. "We didn't come to fight or quarrel. We're here to help each other. So let's go straight to the point, since we all agreed to this arrangement."
Turning gracefully toward the young girl seated beside her parents, she smiled.
"So, child… what is your name?"
"Abigail," the girl replied quietly, her voice polite but fragile, as though the weight of her world sat on her shoulders.
"Abigail," Aurora repeated warmly. "Such a lovely name for a beautiful girl, I'll call you Abi. I'm sure your parents have already explained why you're here today?"
"Yes," Abigail whispered with a nod.
"Good." Aurora leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You'll be marrying our son, Sullivan. He's… well, he's a very strong man. Tough, yes, but he's also complicated. Even I, his mother, can't claim to know every side of him. You'll have to win his heart yourself. If not… I may not be able to help you."
At this, Abigail's face stiffened, but she lowered her gaze, hiding the storm rising inside her.
Morpheus suddenly leaned back in his chair and spoke with authority, "The wedding will take place in two days. Until then, you and your family will remain here. You shall not return home."
"What?" Wilford shot up, startled. "How can you order us like that?"
"Yes," Elsa added, her voice sharp. "We are not your prisoners."
Morpheus and Aurora burst into laughter, their voices echoing against the tall walls of the hall. Aurora touched her chest, still chuckling.
"Prisoners? Oh no, not at all. You are our honored guests. We have already prepared rooms for you, everything you need is here. Food, clothing, luxury—you will lack nothing until the wedding is over."
Wilford and Elsa exchanged a doubtful glance, then turned to their daughter. Abigail forced a faint, reassuring smile at them.
Wilford cleared his throat nervously. "We—we don't have the money for such an expensive place. We'd rather return home."
Aurora waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense! You owe us nothing. Everything here is free. Please, stay in peace."
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📖 ✨ Author's note
Hey lovely readers! 💕
Thanks for checking out this book—I hope you enjoyed chapter! Don't forget to drop your thoughts, guesses, or favorite parts in the comments. Your feedback keeps me inspired and motivated to write more for you. 🥰
See you in the next chapter!
—[Divine twinkle