"This isn't what I expected."
The reality was a stark contrast to her fears. It seemed now that facing this stoic man every day would be far better than enduring the perpetually mocking faces of her adoptive parents and sister.
Marrying him was the first step to leaving that home.
Alaric Davenport raised an eyebrow. Her answer was novel. He opened his mouth, intending to say something, but then frowned slightly. "I'm against this arranged marriage," he said instead. "Go back and tell them to cancel it."
His expression was blank as he spoke, his words as cold as his face, betraying no hint of emotion.
Rosalind Lowell kept her gaze lowered, her fingers clenched tightly. "Mr. Davenport, you may not understand," she said cautiously. "If I had a choice..."
'I wouldn't have had to come here today.'
The consequence of her defiance was being forced to wear long sleeves on a day this hot, her body covered in bruises from Herman Lowell's beatings. If she went back and said the wedding was off, even ten lives wouldn't be enough to endure the punishment.
She bit her lip, summoned her courage, and raised her gaze to meet his.
Alaric Davenport was startled by her gaze. The way she looked at him sent an inexplicable jolt through his heart, a feeling he couldn't quite name.
'She's almost... dazzling like this.'
"I can't cancel it."
Alaric Davenport froze, his brow knitting as a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.
'Just what kind of person was she?'
His gaze swept over her once more. She couldn't compare to the pedigree of high-society heiresses, but her looks were exquisite enough to be considered top-tier even in those circles. And yet, despite having seen all sorts of women, he had never been moved by sentiment.
Rosalind Lowell took a deep breath. She had no path of retreat. She had to see this through until her company's operations stabilized and she could finally escape that family.
"After we're married, I won't interfere with your life."
A subtle change finally registered on Alaric Davenport's previously expressionless face.
"Mr. Davenport, I imagine you are, sooner or later, a sacrifice for the sake of business. You'll have to go through with an arranged marriage no matter who it is. You don't like any of your options, because to you, they're all the same."
"I won't use the title of Mrs. Davenport to interfere in your life, nor will I use a powerful family background to constrain you at every turn. I will do my best not to cause you to lose face. I imagine that once you've achieved CEO Davenport's goal, you will also do everything in your power to get a divorce. So, why not spend the time until then comfortably? What's not to like about that?"
Alaric Davenport raised an eyebrow. This woman was unexpectedly special, and she knew exactly what he needed.
He actually found his resolve wavering.
Rosalind Lowell suddenly stood up and nodded slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Davenport. Let's leave it at that for today. You can go home and reconsider. But as for calling off the engagement, I can't agree to that."
Alaric Davenport was still slightly dazed as Rosalind Lowell walked out.
He sat there, stunned, for a long moment before a small smile touched his lips and he stood up.
...
After Rosalind Lowell came out, she saw a different car parked in the space where she'd been dropped off. She didn't need to think twice to understand. Picking her up had been for appearances; her return trip was apparently of no concern.
Rosalind Lowell sighed. Looking down at her high heels, she knew that walking or trying to navigate the subway was out of the question. Gritting her teeth, she decided to hail a cab.
She waited for a long while, but not a single cab appeared.
"It's hard to get a cab here," an icy voice said from behind her.
Rosalind Lowell turned to see his cold face, a stark contrast to the blazing sun overhead.
"I'll give you a ride."
"That's not necessary. Thank you, Mr. Davenport."
In reality, she wanted to accept, but the thought of the unavoidable awkwardness of sharing a car with him made her hesitate.
"It's a matter of courtesy. Get in."
Without another word, Alaric Davenport opened the passenger door, took her by the sleeve, and all but stuffed her into the car.
The car started, and an awkward silence filled the space between them. For a moment, neither knew what to say.
"Marrying you... I suppose it's not entirely out of the question..."