Chapter 3 I Stand Up for You
"You found a man old enough to be my father and want me to marry him just to fund your son's wedding? Did any of you consider my feelings?" Naomi's voice was ice cold.
Ever since her family learned about her breakup with James, they'd been forcing her to go on arranged dates. They wanted to use her marriage to secure money for her brother's house and wedding.
The men they found for her were all terrible options—divorced with children, disabled, or old enough to be her father.
"We raised you, and this is how you repay us? You will come home tonight to discuss this marriage. Otherwise, I'm coming to your workplace!" Her mother's voice crackled with fury through the phone.
Naomi took a deep breath. "I'm already married."
"Married? To whom? Don't lie to me! I'm coming tonight, and you'll regret this!"
"Believe what you want."
Naomi hung up forcefully, exhaling heavily. She could avoid this temporarily, but eventually, she'd have to face it. At least now that she was married, they couldn't force her to marry someone else.
But remembering Jonathan's warning not to tell anyone about their marriage, she regretted her impulsive admission.
As she pondered how to handle the situation, she spotted Jonathan approaching in an impeccable black designer suit. A group followed him—his assistant on the left, her boss on the right.
Today was the day Jonathan officially acquired the company.
Their eyes met briefly, with no visible emotion passing between them. Naomi quickly looked away, pretending they were strangers.
Yet an idea formed in her mind—why not bring Jonathan to meet her family?
"Naomi, Mr. Cavendish wants to see you. Make a good impression!"
Her boss's words interrupted her thoughts.
"Of course," she replied, rising to walk toward the office.
Her boss raised an eyebrow.
Jonathan requesting Naomi's presence likely meant he had some interest in her. If Naomi played her cards right, there could be benefits for everyone.
Inside the office, Naomi maintained formality.
"Mr. Cavendish," she greeted him respectfully, as if they were complete strangers.
Jonathan handed her his phone displaying a WhatsApp QR code.
"I don't have your contact information. You're coming to my home for dinner tonight."
"Dinner at your home?" Naomi remained still, her emotions conflicted.
Were they already at the meet-the-parents stage?
Jonathan clicked his tongue impatiently, prompting Naomi to quickly scan the code and add him as a contact.
"Be prepared," he said flatly, his tone unreadable.
Naomi couldn't quite understand his intentions. One moment he insisted no one should know about their marriage, the next he was taking her to meet his family.
Perhaps only family members were allowed to know?
She felt relieved—she'd been wondering how to approach Jonathan about her situation, and now he'd taken the initiative.
"After visiting your family, could you possibly come to mine for dinner?" Naomi asked hesitantly. "My family doesn't believe I'm married and keeps setting me up on dates. I'd really appreciate your help."
When Jonathan didn't immediately respond, she backpedaled. "If it's inconvenient, please forget I asked."
The Cavendish family was worlds apart from hers. Jonathan probably only considered his own relatives as family and had no interest in deeper connections with the Kennedys. Her request had been presumptuous.
"That's fine," Jonathan replied simply, his thin lips barely moving.
"Really? I promise it won't take much of your time," Naomi's eyes brightened as she spoke eagerly.
Jonathan nodded slightly. "Wait for me after work."
Naomi nodded repeatedly in agreement.
As soon as she finished work, she received a WhatsApp message from Jonathan directing her to the underground parking garage. She hurried down and immediately spotted the Maybach waiting by the elevator.
"Get in," Jonathan lowered the window, his voice cool and detached.
Naomi quickly complied.
They drove in comfortable silence.
Jonathan reviewed documents while Naomi leaned against the window, watching buildings and scenery flash by, her stomach knotted with anxiety.
She'd heard countless stories about the bizarre customs and expectations of wealthy families from James, and those stories had left her with lingering apprehension.
Taking a deep breath, Naomi steeled herself. She'd decided to speak as little as possible at the Cavendish home—the safest approach. After that, Jonathan would help her deal with her parents. A fair exchange.
An hour later, the black Maybach pulled smoothly into the driveway of a hillside villa.
William had purchased this secluded property specifically for its tranquility—a retreat nestled in the hills, far from urban chaos.
Stepping out of the car, Naomi was struck by the refreshing atmosphere. Away from the city's clamor, she found herself in a peaceful sanctuary. She took several deep breaths of the crisp air, trying to calm her nerves.
Noticing Jonathan already entering the villa, she hurried after him. A servant approached, greeting them, "Mr. Jonathan Cavendish, Mr. William Cavendish is waiting for you in the dining room."
Jonathan acknowledged this with a slight nod.
Upon entering, Naomi sensed an oppressive atmosphere—the house seemed filled with a melancholy stillness, devoid of vitality.
The spacious residence felt eerily empty, with few people in sight. When they reached the dining area, she discovered only three people would be dining: herself, Jonathan, and an elderly man with white whiskers.
"You must be Jonathan's wife. I'm his grandfather," William greeted Naomi warmly before breaking into a violent coughing fit.
Naomi instinctively moved forward to pour him water, gently patting his back.
Once William recovered, she smiled and introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Naomi Kennedy."
"Let's eat," William said, examining her with satisfaction.
The Cavendish dinner was lavish, but William only managed a few bites before setting down his fork.
Naomi smiled, said she was full, and settled across from William at the low table.
Their quiet game began, each move unhurried beneath the spill of warm afternoon light.
Naomi played with a calm, practiced elegance, her moves deliberate yet fluid, keeping William engaged in easy conversation.
Though clearly fatigued, William maintained a cheerful demeanor throughout their interaction, the melancholy aura around him diminishing somewhat.
Jonathan remained silent, observing them. Not since William's cancer had worsened had his grandfather appeared so content.
As William had said, seeing Jonathan married would allow him to depart this world peacefully.
Jonathan lowered his gaze to conceal his emotions before returning to his paperwork.
William glanced at Jonathan and shook his head resignedly. "Naomi, you must build a good life with Jonathan. He may seem distant, but he's a good man at heart. If he ever mistreats you, tell me, and I'll set him straight!"
The old man's words triggered another violent coughing spell. He grew visibly weaker, the color draining from his face as his breathing became more labored.