"Atticus, it's getting late. Let's go," Sabrina's voice echoed, distracting Atticus and Alicia.
"Just a moment," Atticus said, his gaze still on Alicia. "If you're curious, find out for yourself," he whispered into Alicia's ear before walking up to Sabrina.
He took Sabrina's hand in his before leading the way to the restaurant parking lot.
At the parking lot, Sabrina pulled her hand away from his, a deep frown on her face.
"Why didn't you tell me about your plan?"
Atticus chuckled at her question; he didn't expect her to ask such a question. "If I tell you, would anything have changed about it?"
"Not only are you selfish, but you are also rude and arrogant," Sabrina ruffled her hair. Not as if it was his fault. If her boyfriend hadn't drugged her, none of this would've been happening.
"I don't care if you call me names. All I did was to secure my grandpa's blessing," Atticus said calmly. "If you want, I will inform you about my plans from henceforth."
Knowing her fate was already sealed, she decided to play along. Just as the contract states, after a year, they are going to part ways.
"It's fine. Goodnight," she said before walking away.
Atticus, who couldn't believe Sabrina was going back to Kieran's house, ran up to her, blocking her.
"Sabrina, are you going back to that hell from which you barely escaped?" Atticus asked out of concern.
"And why do you care? Thank you for saving me earlier, but I hate it when strangers butt into my life," she informed him before leaving.
Atticus couldn't do anything aside from watching her leave. There was no way he could convince her since she had already made up her mind.
He let out a deep breath before entering his car. He brought out his phone and dialed his secretary's number.
"Francis, I want you to protect Sabrina. She is on her way home. Make sure she doesn't get hurt, not even by her so-called family," Atticus instructed, his voice deep and meant no joke.
Not knowing the reason for the special treatment towards Sabrina, his secretary asked, "Did you have feelings for this lady? Because you are treating her more than the paper stated."
"Can't I protect the person who made my body react for the first time after my surgery?" Atticus questioned angrily before hanging up on him.
He started his car before driving to his father's house instead of his. Arriving at the magnificent building of the Sawyer family, he pulled over.
He alighted from his car before heading in. His half-brother, who was watching television in the living room, walked up to him.
Given the gaze on Alexander's face, Atticus knew what he was up to. "If you are here to ask me questions about my fiancée, I won't answer," he was quick to inform Alexander.
"Also, don't give me that disgusting look. I don't care if you even slept with her," Atticus added calmly.
"I can't believe you have changed over the years. Have you suddenly forgotten about her? Uh?" Alexander asked, tears clustered in his eyes.
He remembered loving the lady his elder brother fell for. The only mistake he made was not summoning the courage to take the first step.
Atticus chuckled at his brother's question before taking a few steps closer to him. "She is dead to me. She died when she left us fifteen years ago."
"How can you be this cruel? Have you forgotten what happened to her?" Alexander asked again, holding back the urge to hit Atticus.
Before Atticus could reply, their grandfather, who came downstairs to watch his son's favorite show with his daughter-in-law and granddaughter, asked curiously. "What are you boys talking about?"
"Oh, nothing much. Discussing Atticus's wedding. I am wondering how grand it would be," Alexander replied quickly, pretending to be on good terms with Atticus.
"Atticus, what was your response?" Wanting to know what his boys were really up to, Mr. Sawyer asked again.
Atticus bit his lips, hesitant to reply. "My wedding will be any day you want it to be."
"If I want you to get married the day after tomorrow, would you?"
"Yes, grandpa," he didn't bother objecting since that was what he wanted. That way, Sabrina would be free from her fake family's threat.
Mirabel, who overheard Atticus's marriage talk, hurried to her mother's room. She didn't bother to knock before barging in.
"Mom—"
"Can't you—"
"Mom, this isn't the time for cautions. There is trouble. Our plan has gone south," Mirabel informed with her voice shaky.
Vivian raised her gaze to stare at her daughter before asking curiously, "What do you mean?"
"Atticus would be getting married in two days," she replied, her voice barely audible. "What are we going to do? I thought he had hypogonadism? Is he suddenly healed?"
"I thought he was lying earlier. It seems like he is finally healed," Vivian's voice was weak as she tried to think of what to do.
She can't let Atticus steal everything that was meant for her children. Atticus is an illegitimate son of this household, hence deserves no dime from them.
She knew if Atticus successfully gets married and gives birth, his son would inherit everything, leaving her children...
"Mom, stop being silent, let's think of what to do. We can't fold our hands and watch everything go the way that bastard wanted. Think of how Atticus had worked hard to earn grandpa's favor. Think about the years you have spent taking care of this household as their daughter-in-law," Mirabel's voice made Vivian snap out of her thoughts.
"I think I have a plan..."
"Really? What plan?" Mirabel asked curiously.