Real love never dies.

Chapter:6

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Meanwhile, Lily was called downstairs since the guests had arrived.

She wasn’t happy about it, knowing she was about to meet a man she neither knew nor loved. But when she descended the stairs and looked up, her eyes caught a handsome face.

She widened her eyes in surprise.

Her thoughts raced.

"What the hell? Look at that guy — he's so handsome! I never thought I’d see someone like this. No way... can a guy be this perfect? Maybe he’s a model? Damn, he’s quite the catch. Maybe this marriage proposal isn’t so bad after all. At least I’ll have a good-looking husband... and my kids will have good genes too. Wait— why am I already thinking about kids?!"

While Lily was lost in her thoughts, Sky looked up — he caught sight of a beautiful champagne-colored dress.

His eyes followed the dress to a beautiful shoulder... up to a stunning face with rosy lips and sparkling eyes.

Sky’s heart skipped a beat.

"She looks breathtaking... her eyes, her lips... and she's blushing too. How adorable. Wait, why am I thinking this way? Am I crazy?"

He was still staring until his mother lightly shook his hand, snapping him back to reality.

"Sky, meet Catherine," Victoria said, smiling at her son. "She's the mother of your fiancée."

Sky nodded slightly to Catherine. "Pleasure to meet you," he said politely.

Catherine smiled warmly. "Oh, you look wonderful," she said, clearly impressed.

Turning around, Catherine spotted Lily still standing on the stairs.

With a soft tone, she called, "Oh, there’s my daughter. Lily, come down now and greet everyone," beckoning her gently.

Liam, hearing Catherine mention her daughter, glanced up — and was instantly impressed by Lily's innocent face.

"She’s the one," he thought, smiling. "I hope Mom matches me with her."

....

Lily snapped out of her thoughts at her mother’s call.

She noticed Sky looking her way and quickly looked down, walking down the stairs carefully.

Catherine held Lily’s hand proudly.

"Meet my second daughter, Lily," she said, introducing her.

Victoria smiled warmly. "Mmmh... I’m already impressed. You’re so beautiful, my dear. And that dress suits you perfectly."

Lily, shyly smiling, replied, "Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Victoria continued, "Oh darling, let me introduce you." She turned to her two sons and said, "This one is Liam, and this is Sky — one of them is your fiancé."

Lily’s heart skipped when she heard Sky’s name. She kept sneaking glances at him with sparkling eyes, barely glancing at Liam.

Liam, noticing this, quickly stepped forward and took Lily’s hand in his.

Caught off guard, Lily looked at him.

Liam, seeing he finally had her attention, raised her hand to his smiling lips and kissed it gently.

"A beautiful young lady," he said charmingly.

Lily immediately pulled her hand back, displeased. She frowned slightly, feeling disappointed that Liam might be the one.

Catherine, noticing the tension, was about to say something to smooth it over when she caught a glimpse of Ava approaching.

Her face brightened and she announced, "And here’s my first daughter—" she trailed off, caught off guard by Ava’s appearance.

Everyone turned to look.

And what they saw made their expressions shift — especially Victoria, who frowned deeply.

Sky didn’t even glance; he looked away immediately.

Liam, however, smirked slightly, thinking, "Mmmh... exactly my type."

Ava, dressed rebelliously, walked towards them with confidence.

"Seems like I arrived just in time. Hello, everyone, I’m Ava," she said, smirking.

Before anyone could say anything, Catherine interrupted quickly:

"Everyone, please make yourselves comfortable on the couches and have some drinks while lunch is being set," she said with forced calmness, motioning toward the sofas.

Turning to Lily, she added, "Lily, please keep them company for a while."

Then, smiling tightly at Victoria, she said, "Please excuse me and Ava for a moment," and turned coldly to Ava.

In a soft but dangerous voice, she said, "Ava, come with me," and walked upstairs.

---

The rest sat down. Victoria started chatting with Lily, while Sky sat quietly, calm and composed.

Liam, however, couldn’t take his eyes off Lily, making her feel a little uncomfortable — though she tried hard to ignore it.

---

Upstairs in Ava’s bedroom, Catherine exploded:

"Ava, are you trying to humiliate me after everything I told you?!"

Ava blinked innocently. "But Mom, they just arrived — and I got here early, right?"

"I’m not talking about being late!" Catherine snapped, hands on her hips, looking furious.

"Then what?" Ava asked, her voice low.

"Your appearance!" Catherine said sharply. "What the hell are you wearing? You even dyed your hair blue and orange! Are you crazy?!

Is this how you want to present yourself to your future in-laws? Is this what I taught you?!"

Ava glanced at her outfit and hair casually.

"Oh come on, Mother... what's wrong with my clothes? And my hair looks better now. Plus, these are my favourite colors!

Do I really have to wear long dresses just to impress them? No way."

Catherine’s voice turned cold:

"As long as you're my daughter, you’ll do what I say. Now, change into the dress on your bed. And be quick. Let the maid help you."

She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Ava sighed heavily and looked at the fancy dress lying on the bed.

"Now I’m forced to wear that crap... Damn it," she muttered, then began undressing.

The maid quickly helped her get changed and style her hair.

---

Catherine went back to the lounging area and joined everyone while they were having drinks.

After a few moments, Ava came down, wearing a dark blue long dress with short sleeves and an open chest. Her hair was styled in a bun.

Then lunch was ready. They all walked to the table to share their meal together. Victoria sat opposite Catherine; Lily sat opposite Liam, and Ava opposite Sky. They started eating in silence until Ava broke it:

"So, do I get to choose who I want to marry?"

Catherine, hearing Ava speak, gave her a side glance with displeasure on her face.

Victoria, hearing the question, looked at Ava and said, "No, darling. I'm the one who chooses who is perfect for who," then went back to eating her food.

Ava, not ready to let it go, asked again, "When are you going to pair us? Today or some other day?"

Victoria, hearing Ava’s nonstop questions, didn’t even glance her way when she replied with a straight face, "After lunch today."

Ava then started eating again.

When everyone was done with their meal, they went back to the lounging area and sat down.

Victoria then started, "This is simple. No one is allowed to object. So, I choose..."

They all looked at her. Lily was so eager to hear who she was going to marry; she wanted Sky, not Liam. Ava, on the other hand, didn’t care, as she had her own agenda.

Liam wanted Lily, even though his usual type was Ava. Sky didn’t care much but liked Lily without even realising it.

Victoria said, "The one I choose for Sky is..." She paused and looked at Sky with a smile.

Sky looked at his mother.

"I pair Sky with Lily," Victoria announced.

Lily, hearing that, almost jumped up from her couch.

Sky sighed a sigh of relief without even knowing why—maybe because he thought Lily was better than Ava.

Liam was displeased but had no say in it; he just kept quiet.

Ava didn’t care. Catherine was happy.

Victoria continued, "Then that means Liam goes with Ava. That's it."

There was a sudden silence.

Sky looked at his wristwatch, then back at his mother.

"Mother, is that all? I need to be excused since there’s someone I need to meet," he said calmly.

Victoria said, "Oh, before I forget: tonight you all will be going on a date with your partners. I already booked the reservations. All you have to do is go there and spend the night together," she said with a calm expression.

Ava asked, "Are we going to the same restaurant?"

Victoria replied, "No, different restaurants."

Sky said, "If that’s all, please excuse me," and then stood up.

Catherine, noticing that Lily was still sitting, ushered her.

"Lily, walk your fiancé out."

Lily didn’t waste any time and followed Sky out.

Sky was walking ahead, and Lily followed closely behind. When they were out of sight from everyone, Sky suddenly stopped. Since Lily was trying to keep up, she bumped into his back, hitting her forehead against him hard.

His honey scent hit her so strongly that she almost forgot the pain.

The soft gasp she made, "Ouch!"—barely a whisper—was enough for Sky to hear.

She touched her forehead with one hand and gripped the hem of her dress with the other.

While she was rubbing her forehead, Sky's voice rang out, cold and distant:

"You don't need to show me out. I know my way."

He didn’t even glance back before walking away.

Lily, stunned by his coldness, finally came back to her senses, but by then, he was already out the door. She whispered softly, "See you tonight then, Mr. Cold..."

Instead of heading back to the lounge, she walked toward the garden.

The garden was full of flowers, and the green grass was beautifully trimmed.

She went to the swing she loved to ride and sat there, getting lost in her thoughts.

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