Love In Our Ruin

“You should thank me.” Hendrick Wilson said sarcastically. “I don't think that's necessary since this was all my plan,” Rose Wilson replied coldly. She glanced out the window rather than looking at her father. “I don’t want to hear any refusal from him,” Hendrick continued. “Because that would tarnish my family's name.” Rose didn’t respond. She kept watching the street as the car slowed down and stopped in front of a fine-dining restaurant in the city center. The click-clack of her heels echoed down the hallway until the sound stopped in front of the door. Hendrick raised his hand, signaling to her not to open the door just yet. “This meeting feels like an arranged marriage to me.” Rose could clearly hear the conversation taking place inside. She let out a heavy sigh, then immediately puffed out her chest so her father wouldn’t look down on her. “Tonight, your relationship with Liana Collins must end.” A firm tone sounded from inside. “Tsk...he already has a woman.” Hendrick whispered, mocking Rose. “That's easy for me to get rid of.” Rose silenced her father. “I'm going to refuse this marriage.” Rose was uncomfortable with that firm refusal. “You have no right to choose!” “Father!” That outburst prompted Rose to act. “Open it,” she ordered the servant, who immediately obeyed. The door swung open. Rose could feel the awkward atmosphere and the piercing stares that turned toward her as she walked toward the chair set out for her. Rose let her father take the lead in this gathering, keeping herself and Levin Stuart—who remained seated and looked displeased—out of it. She popped a piece of steak into her mouth and ignored the questioning glances that kept coming her way. “It’s time for you two to get closer.” Hendrick’s attention shifted to Levin. “Go outside and talk.” “Okay, Dad.” Rose set down her cutlery and stood up from her chair. She met Levin’s green eyes for the first time. She raised one eyebrow, signaling for him to stand up. “All right, Mr. Wilson.” Reluctantly, Levin approached her. She accepted his outstretched arm. She gently took it and began to walk out. The night wind blew hard enough to knock the scattered leaves in the middle of the restaurant to the ground. Rose stopped as the man halted. She looked back at the large window where her father and Mr. Stuart were. “Please call off this wedding.” Levin released his embrace. Rose walked over to the nearby pond. “Why does it have to be called off?” “I already have a woman I want to marry.” Levin's conviction sounded strong. She turned around and looked at him again. “Why didn't you tell my father?” “It'll be easier to call it off through you.” His answer made her smile slightly. “I'm sorry if I don't see things your way.” She took a step closer. “What do you mean?” Levin furrowed his brow. Rose stopped right in front of him, standing quite close. “Because I love you.” Levin gasped in disbelief. He took a step back. “We’re not close enough for you to play a joke like that.” Rose could feel Hendrick’s gaze on her from behind the window. She closed the distance between them once more. “Do I look like I’m joking?” Her eyes locked onto his with intense focus, and her voice softened. “I truly love you, Levin Stuart.” A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. “If this marriage goes through, I'll hate you.” “That doesn't matter as long as you're by my side.” She simply smiled in response to his words. “It seems you don't know what's going on at your company.” “My company is fine, Miss Wilson.” He assured her. “It seems you don't know anything.” Rose raised her right hand and brushed the leaves off of Levin’s shoulder. "Lord Stuart suffered a massive invasion failure right behind you." “What?” Levin’s voice cracked. Rose folded her arms across her chest. “You can ask your father about that directly. Most importantly, our wedding has been set for tonight,” she said with a triumphant smile. Levin shifted his gaze toward the window, where he saw the two fathers shaking hands. Rose sensed Levin's pent-up anger. ***** The sound of a door slamming shut behind Levin triggered the outburst of anger he had been holding back. “What have you been doing behind my back? How could you betray me by selling me out to the Wilson family?” His rage echoed through the living room. “I did this for our family,” Mr. Stuart retorted. “I wanted to defeat the Wilson Group and give you this victory.” Levin clutched his brown hair. He didn't want to shout anymore. “Why didn’t you involve me?” “Because you wouldn’t have been able to defeat The Wilsons.” Mr. Stuart’s shout cut Levin to the quick. “Don’t you trust me?” He patted his tightening chest. "I'm Levin Stuart, your son! I’m the one who saved this company from ruin! How could you betray me like this?” “If you’re so confident,” Mr. Stuart said, grabbing Levin by the collar, “prove to me that you can beat them.” “How can I defeat them when you’ve already destroyed your own company?” Levin roughly shook off the grip. “Accept this marriage and take everything they have.” Mr. Stuart gripped Levin’s shoulders tightly. “It’s the only way to save Stuart Corp. Do you understand? Leave Liana and focus on your marriage.” Levin shook off his hand again. The disappointment made it hard for him to speak. “You're the worst father.” Levin left the room, consumed by anger and disappointment. ***** The sound of Rose’s D’Orsay heels echoed through the VIP room. She took short steps as she walked past the dresses on display, but nothing caught her eye. “Can you design the most beautiful wedding dress for me?” she asked the designer who had been following her the entire time. “Of course, Miss,” the designer replied. “I’ll get everything ready right away.” Rose walked over to the sofa and sat down. While she was reading the boutique’s catalog, her personal secretary walked over and whispered something in her ear that made her smile sweetly. “Leave us alone.” John understood and asked everyone to leave the room as soon as Levin entered. “You seem very serious about this wedding.” Levin didn't want to beat around the bush. “Sit down and help me pick out a dress that suits me.” Rose patted the spot next to her on the sofa. “I'm here to call off the wedding.” Rose could sense the anger in his voice. She closed the catalog she was holding and looked at Levin. “Are you going to choose it while standing there?” He directed that repulsive smile at her. “I don’t want to be near a woman like you.” “Fine,” Rose said, standing up. “We'll pick out the dress while standing.” She watched Levin take a deep breath. “Don't you have ears?” “Can’t you see these beautiful ears of mine?” Rose adjusted the diamond earrings she was wearing. "My ears only hear what I want to hear." “Call off this wedding!” Her anger finally burst out. “Even if you scream as loud as you can and refuse, this wedding will still go ahead.” She changed her tone to a colder one. “Don't you mind spending your life with someone who doesn't love you?” “That doesn't matter to me as long as I love you.” That answer triggered a loud, sharp laugh. “Are you going to love someone who doesn't want you, who even hates you?” “Of course. I'll make sure my love for you is greater than your hatred of me.” She proudly declared her feelings. The laughter turned into a look of hatred. “You're utterly repulsive, Rose Wilson.” “This repulsive woman is going to be your wife, Levin Stuart.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Didn’t Mr. Stuart tell you what would happen if this marriage were called off?” “I didn’t—” “I’ll tell you.” She began to walk toward him. “The Wilson Group is going to acquire everything that Stuart Corp owns, without exception.” She stopped right in front of Levin. “Take whatever you want. I don't care.” Her eyes came closer, challenging him. “Because I won't be brought down by that.” A smile spread across her beautiful face. “You’re too arrogant to see what’s going to happen to your family or to you. The connections you’ve built will kneel at my feet and abandon you. In the end, you’ll all end up in prison.” “Prison? What are you going to do to my family?” Levin tugged at the collar of her midi dress. Rose raised her left hand and grasped the hand on her arm. “It wasn't me who did it. It was your father who started it all.” The grip began to loosen. “You're so arrogant that you can't see what your family is facing.” “How do you know what’s going to happen to my family?” The strong hand finally dropped. She brought her face close to her opponent’s ear. “Because your family is under my control.” That painful whisper made his green eyes tremble with disbelief. His broad chest felt tight and hot. “You don't need to see your lover. Let me be the one to end it all.” The sound of D’Orsay’s retreating footsteps felt like a hammer blow to Levin’s body. He stood frozen in place, unable to move, unable to face the reality before him. To Be Continued~~~