"Do you really want to take that away from him?"
As expected of Mrs. Davis, she had no qualms wasting others' time—sipping her tea leisurely for a full minute while Nina stood there. But now that she had spoken, she wasn't one to waste her own time getting to the point.
However, Nina hadn't come here to preach.
"I'm not breaking off the engagement, Madam Davis," Nina replied, meeting her gaze without flinching. "I will marry Finn, and unless he breaks it off or changes his mind, I will not."
Mrs. Davis snorted. "What did I expect? Of course you wouldn't. Considering—"
"Considering I can't bear to break his heart," Nina interrupted, her voice firm. "Madam Davis, what you're asking of me is not just to break off an engagement. You're asking me to leave your son with a scar that may never heal. You're asking me to inflict a pain that could follow him for the rest of his life."
Mrs. Davis fell silent for a brief moment as Nina held her gaze, unyielding. Then her lips parted.
