Chapter 25

Eleanor Knight’s tense nerves suddenly relaxed, a thin layer of sweat dampening her back.

“Lucas!” She quickly grabbed Lucas Chase’s arm before he could argue further, her fingertips trembling slightly. “Mr. Chase is right. Some things really should be clarified.”

Ethan Chase’s stern expression softened a fraction. His gaze lingered on their intertwined hands before his tone eased. “Sebastian has already hired a legal team. I’ll oversee the divorce proceedings from start to finish.”

He paused, turning to his younger brother. “Once the divorce is finalized, according to Mom and Dad’s wishes, you two will need to hold an engagement ceremony.”

“That’s it?” Lucas raised an eyebrow.

Ethan gave a slight nod and turned to leave, but Eleanor suddenly tugged at Lucas’ sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. “Your family… really doesn’t mind that I’ve been divorced before?”

Ethan, already at the corner, halted mid-step.

“The Chase family rule,” he said without turning back, his voice steady and firm, “is that adults make their own choices. We never interfere. A century of tradition—always has been.”

Eleanor stood frozen. This was nothing like the high-society dynasties she had imagined.

“Scared?” Lucas chuckled, his warm palm enveloping her cold fingers. “Ethan may seem intimidating, but he’s terrified of his wife. And after Mom and Dad retired, they stopped bothering with formalities, so…”

Over the next two weeks staying with the Chases, Eleanor gradually let her guard down. Their genuine acceptance lifted a weight off her shoulders.

The weather forecast predicted the first snow in Northspire. Lucas immediately started packing.

“Just a little longer,” Eleanor protested, curled up on the couch in a blanket like a lazy cat. She had grown fond of the warm southern winters.

But on the eve of the first snowfall, Lucas half-coaxed, half-carried her onto the plane.

Outside the airport, snowflakes swirled thick in the air. Yet Lucas, unusually impatient, urged her to hurry home.

“Didn’t you want to see the snow?” Eleanor teased, spinning in the snow until flakes caught on her lashes.

Lucas finally surrendered. “Ellie…” His ears turned pink. “Next month, I’ll be of legal marriage age.”

“So?”

“You still haven’t introduced me to your parents.” He pouted like a dejected puppy. “What if they think I’m too young…”

Eleanor burst into laughter. So that was his worry.

“The divorce isn’t even finalized yet,” she teased.

“Ethan said it’ll be settled by early next month.” Lucas tucked her frost-reddened hands into his coat pocket. “We need to start convincing your parents.”

“What if they refuse?”

“Then you’ll just have to sing my praises.” He leaned in, his warm breath brushing her earlobe. “Tell them how well I take care of you, how obedient I am…” The snow fell heavier, their figures gradually disappearing down the silver-lined street.