Chapter 29
Oliver got a real emotional cocktail going on inside, and his gaze towards Josefina was heating up by the second.
Brandon was bummed out for like a hot sec, then lit up with joy. “Josie, talk about fate, huh? When you were with the Antonio family, your fiancé was Oliver. Then you switch to the Harrison family, and bam! Oliver calls off the engagement over there. Kinda feels like destiny, doesn’t it? Round it up, and Oliver’s still your fiancé.”
Oliver cracked a fond, crooked smile. “Grandpa’s hitting the nail on the head.”
Josefina politely clarified, “Oliver has broken off the engagement, so there’s no betrothal between us.
Brandon said, “We can totally work with that. Look at you two, a match made in heaven!”
Brandon’s words didn’t make Oliver sweat. Instead, they seemed to light a fire under him.
Keeping his cool, with a burning look in his eyes, Oliver said, “Grandpa’s got a point. I can honor the betrothal at the Harrison family. We gotta respect the old folks‘ agreements.”
Garrett was completely lost at this point. What was Brandon’s deal?
Thinking about his daughter’s happiness, Garrett knew he had to step up to the plate! He had heard Oliver was a tough cookie, cold as ice. His precious little girl was all delicate and couldn’t fend for herself. What if she ended up in a bad marriage?
Nope, no way. For his daughter’s sake, he was gonna be the one to break up the lovebirds! Garrett cut to the chase, “Mr. Brandon, this is quite the twist, but Josie’s just been found, and she’s still young. Let’s put the marriage talk on hold for now.”
Hattie was nodding along. “My girl’s got her plate full, with college entrance exams this year. Let’s deal with other stuff later.”
Josefina was feeling even better about Garrett and Hattie. Blood parents and foster parents are worlds apart. If it had been Billy, he’d have brown–nosed his way into agreement by now. Garrett respected her choices, letting her call the shots.
The contrast was stark contrast, and Josefina found it easier to warm up to Garrett and Hattie. Her grateful gaze towards the two of them brought them inner joy.
“I’m not interested in romance at the moment. Plus I’m young and education’s my priority,” Josefina said politely.
Brandon sighed, “Josie’s the best girl I’ve ever met. It’s right to think things through about marriage. Since that’s how it is, let them spend more time together. Maybe love will grow.”
“Alright,” Oliver agreed promptly.
The air was tinged with a mix of flirty and awkward vibes.
Inside, Lena was brewing a storm, God how she wanted to kill Josefina!
Weren’t Brandon’s words just embarrassing her?
Was she not good enough?
Was Brandon trying to embarrass her just to butter up Josefina?
She had been chasing Oliver, trying to win over Brandon, and now what? She was the joke?
Lena took a deep breath, managing to say, “Josefina, congrats. You got dumped by the Antonio family but back with the Harrison, the betrothal’s still yours.”
Josefina picked up on the bitterness in Lena’s words. Was she blaming her?
Josefina was baffled. Matters of the heart couldn’t be forced, and she didn’t agree to any engagement with Oliver.
“If you want it, he’s yours,” Josefina shot back.
Lena had never met someone with such a sharp tongue! Did this country bumpkin even get her drift?
Lena was flustered, unsure how to handle Josefina. Just as she was about to speak, Oliver chimed in, slapping her down, “I have no intention of giving myself to her.”
His blunt words made even Garrett and Hattie cringe with awkwardness.
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