1 Extract

"Katherine, did you try to commit suicide because you didn't want to marry Eric?" Her father, Mr. Maxwell, asked with a pale facial expression that hid his true intentions.

She slowly sat up before raising her gaze to stare at her father. "I would rather die than marry him. I will never marry Eric!" she replied firmly.

She had never defied her father before, but this time she was determined to go against him, even if it meant sacrificing everything she had - her position as Dayton's vice-chairwoman and the wealth she had acquired from the family.

"Fine. I will not let my family suffer because of my greed. Instead, you will lose what is important to you because of your greed," he stated, leaving Katherine puzzled.

Katherine blinked her eyes in astonishment, trying to understand what her father truly meant.

"Dad, what are you trying to say?"

"Leave the Dayton residence. I will remove your name from the family's register," he paused, observing her facial expression, which revealed nothing but confusion. "Since you want happiness, giving up on the Dayton family's wealth shouldn't be a big sacrifice, right?"

Even though she wanted to be happy, how could she give up the position she had worked so hard to protect? At the same time, she couldn't bear the thought of losing her lover to protect her position.

"Why should I leave the Dayton residence? Is it because I am the adopted daughter of Dayton's? Did you chase your niece when she refused to marry Crawford–"

Mr. Maxwell interrupted her before she could finish, slapping her.

He stood up angrily and questioned, "Katherine, I can't believe you are this ungrateful! Even though your parents were nobody, I raised you instead of sending you to an orphanage. I treated you like any father would treat their daughter, but what did I gain? Your happiness over mine?"

Katherine rubbed her hurting cheeks, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to pour down. "Yes. You are right, I am an ingrate!" she said, her voice shaking.

"You've been telling me that over and over. When I chose to attend a science high school, you persuaded me to attend a different school. When I decided to attend Crawford Science University, you insisted on sending me to a business academy. Did I ever complain? Why can't I just have what I wanted for once?"

"Then suit yourself, Katherine!" Mr. Maxwell yelled as he stormed out of her ward.

Alone with her thoughts, she let her tears fall as she reflected on how she had lived her life. Just the idea of leaving the Dayton family terrified her - she had never lived without them. For the past twenty-five years, they had been her constant companions.

'All I ever asked for was happiness. Was I asking for too much? Was I?' More tears streamed down her ocean blue eyes as she pondered inwardly.

She had lived her life without having anyone who truly loved and cherished her. All the smiles, kind treatments, and praise were all fake except for her lover, Asher.

Ever since she met him, she had found genuine happiness. She had been happy and treated like a queen, which no one had ever treated her like.

"Kathe, what are you thinking? Don't tell me it's about our wedding?"

Asher's voice made her snap out of her thoughts. She smiled faintly at his words, pretending to be okay even though the tears on her face stated otherwise.

"Oh... wedding? Whether my father wants it or not, we are getting married tomorrow. We will officially be married tomorrow, and that is what matters to me," Katherine said.

He chuckled at how desperate she sounded. "Don't you think we should try to persuade your father? Maybe he might give us his blessing and financial help?"

Katherine's lips curled into a smile, already knowing that was what Asher or anyone would suggest- that's why she was prepared for the outcome of her happiness.

She took his hands and cuddled it gently. "Asher, I am already prepared for this. Whether he wants it or not, I don't care about his help or blessings. All I want is to be with you."

Asher raised his gaze from their hands to her face, his eyes piercing into hers before he drew her closer. "Katherine, thank you."

Staring back at him with her heart racing in excitement, she asked, "for what exactly?"

"For loving a man like me. For loving me regardless of my background and class," he replied before leaning close to kiss her.

A bright smile spread across her face, making her regret ever considering suicide - if she had, she would have missed her first-ever kiss!

Katherine wrapped her arms around his neck just as she had seen in dramas, her tongue seeking dominance as they engaged in a passionate kiss.

Just as Asher's hand was about to trail down to her patient's dress, the door opened.

"Oh... oh... oh..." They both stuttered as they disengaged from the act, their gaze on the doctor who had just entered.

"I apologize for not asking for permission before coming in. I will leave," he said, about to go, but Katherine's words made him stay.

"Doctor, it's fine. I will appreciate it if you serve your purpose of coming here."

The doctor let out a deep sigh before beginning, "Miss Dayton Katherine, you have an internal injury. I recommend you stay a few days because you need–"

Katherine, who already knew what the doctor was trying to do, cut him off before he could complete the words he was paid to brainwash her with. "Doctor, this cheap trick won't work on me. My father or anyone can't stop my wedding, so stop trying."

"Miss–"

"Leave now! Leave before I lose my patience!" she yelled at him.

After watching the doctor leave her ward, she turned to Asher. "Don't mind him. Let's continue with what we were doing."

A sly smile crept onto Asher's lips as he watched Katherine speak. "Katherine, are you sure we can get married? Besides, how much do you have in your account? Also, why can't I, your future husband, have access to your account?" he asked playfully.

Katherine, who saw sense in his words but would definitely not give anyone access to her business account regardless of who they are, replied, "I will transfer you all the money I saved up for our wedding. That's fifty thousand dollars, and enough for our wedding."

"Thank you. This is why I chose you, Katherine," he said. A creepy smile appeared on his lips after receiving the credit alert.