"That was just me being impulsive," Vera Xavier replied. "I've thought it through, and I still want to go to school. You're so knowledgeable and accomplished. If I don't even go to college, how will I ever keep up with you? You don't want a communication gap between us in the future, do you?"
In reality, the decision to skip college and get married had been made for her by her mother, Rona Langdon. After Vera had placed dead last in the entire school on her exams, Rona Langdon had torn her down completely, telling her she wasn't cut out for academics and might as well just get married.
On top of that, Cara Preston was there fanning the flames, going on and on about how wonderful Wesley Kane was. So, she'd agreed, and Rona Langdon had hastily married her off to him.
In her past life, she had stubbornly believed Wesley Kane was her Prince Charming, but reality dealt her a harsh slap in the face.
In her past life, she hadn't learned until the week before her death that Wesley Kane was nothing but a scumbag. He had only married her for her family's status and her father's power. He had never loved her!
Nathaniel Nathan grudgingly accepted her explanation. He did, at least, support her desire to go to school.
"And the second thing?" Nathaniel asked.
Vera Xavier looked at him and said, "While I'm in school, I'd like to live at home..."
"Absolutely not!" Nathaniel cut her off. "You're my wife now. You have to live with me."
Vera knew why he didn't want her to live at home. It was because she and Cara Preston had been switched at birth. Even though Vera had returned to her real family, Cara was still living in the Preston household. Her mother, Rona Langdon, doted on Cara and treated Vera terribly, picking on her at every turn.
He was afraid she would be bullied!
She walked over to his side. Without a word, she just looked up at him, her wide, glistening eyes a mixture of hurt and pleading.
This was the one look from her he couldn't handle. Visibly uncomfortable, he turned his head away. "Why are you so insistent on living at home?"
Vera said softly, "I know I'm asking a lot, but I'm still a student. If I live somewhere else, I can't even imagine the nasty things my mom and Cara Preston will say. You have to trust me. I can take care of myself. I won't let anyone push me around."
His expression softened slightly. Vera pressed her advantage. "Besides, if someone really does try to bully me, I'll still have you, won't I? You wouldn't just stand by and watch me get pushed around, would you?"
"No, I couldn't," Nathaniel said instinctively.
Vera beamed at him. "Thank you!"
Only then did Nathaniel realize he'd walked right into her trap. The most surprising part was that he didn't even mind the feeling.
Vera continued, "The third thing..."
"There is no third thing," Nathaniel cut in. "Agreeing to these two is my limit. If you dare to push your luck, you're coming home with me right now."
Vera looked up at him. "Do you really not want to properly date me?"
Nathaniel stared at her in surprise. A smile played on her lips. "We may be married, but we've never actually dated. So, my third condition is that we properly date each other. Are you really going to say no to that?"
Nathaniel could hear his own heart pounding. 'She wants to date me? Does she really want to be with me?'
He glanced over at her. She stood there, a smile on her face, her bangs hiding the wound on her forehead. She looked radiant and full of life, her eyes sparkling. He thought to himself, 'Vera Xavier, you had better not be deceiving me. If you are... I will...'