"The young lady's condition has stabilized after a week of careful treatment. As long as she continues to improve her nutrition, she's fit for discharge," the attending physician said to Damien with a pleasant smile. "Here are all the medical reports. She's free to leave anytime."
Damien barely spared the report a glance before replying curtly, "Leave it there."
Once the staff exited the room, he handed the folder to Mrs. Rourke. She reviewed it with a sharp eye, then calmly said, "Since your health is no longer a concern, we'll head to your home tomorrow and make the formal marriage proposal. Your belly's getting rounder by the day. It's better to get the wedding done sooner rather than later."
Damien's brow furrowed faintly. "Grandma, is there really a need to rush the marriage?"
Elara shared the same hesitation. The thought of rushing into marriage left her uneasy—as if the final door behind her would close, leaving her with no way out.
Mrs. Rourke gave her grandson a level look. She knew exactly what he was thinking. Her tone, however, remained unbothered. "In ten days, the chairman and his wife from our partner company will be visiting. Country C has already made it clear—they expect to meet you and your wife. If you're not officially married by then, what standing would Elara have at the table?"
Her words struck home. Damien may not have wanted to marry so soon, but company interests were non-negotiable. Personal preferences paled in comparison.
"I understand, Grandma," he replied, conceding without further argument.
Elara's heart sank.
Was this how it happened?
So sudden. One moment it was a conversation, the next—an irreversible decision. It all moved far too quickly.
She glanced at Damien, her resistance silently etched into her eyes. He caught her gaze, and a trace of irritation flickered through him.
It was one thing for him to be reluctant. But it was something else entirely when she clearly didn't want to marry either.
For reasons he couldn't quite explain, his hesitation began to fade. What his grandmother had said seemed more reasonable now, and the urgency to make this marriage official began to take hold.
With both the chairman and Damien firm in their resolve, Elara realized there was no room left for her opinion.
Yes, things had already gone this far. Was there anything left to object to? Whether they married today or next week, would it really make a difference?
Her only concern now was her mother—how could she bring her such a shock without warning?
She needed time. A brief moment to prepare her mother, to explain everything gently rather than dropping it like a bombshell.
Gathering her thoughts, Elara turned to Mrs. Rourke and asked tentatively, "Chairman... could I not return with the Rourke family just yet? I'd like to go home and inform my family first."
"No." Mrs. Rourke's voice left no room for negotiation. "You're no longer alone. The child in your womb is our family's future, and I can't allow the slightest risk. All you need to do is focus on delivering this baby safely."
Elara quickly reassured her, "Chairman, I trust the Rourke family's status completely—I know I'll be treated well. I'm not worried about that. I just don't want to frighten my mother. I want to tell her gently, so it doesn't come as a sudden blow. I swear, nothing will happen to me."
Seeing no sign of compromise from Mrs. Rourke, Elara instinctively turned to Damien, her eyes pleading without her even realizing it.
She didn't know why she looked at him. Maybe it was because only the three of them were present. Or maybe… it was something else.
For the first time, Damien saw her look at him like that. And strangely, what came to mind wasn't her plea—but the memory of her yesterday, standing quietly in front of the camellias, trimming the flowers with a peaceful smile.
Something in him softened. "Grandma, she's not a child," he said, voice low but steady. "She knows how to take care of herself."
Mrs. Rourke gave a slight nod, clearly pleased by the shared understanding. "She's a considerate girl. Fine—you may go back first and speak with your family. But remember, you are now our family's young mistress. You absolutely cannot return alone. Damien, the assistant who took her to the hospital—he's a careful one. Let him escort her home."
"As you wish, Grandma," Damien said, his gaze landing briefly on Elara. Her quiet relief didn't escape him. A hint of something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
When Mrs. Rourke was finally convinced, Elara quickly gathered her things.
Jack Damien's assistant arrived in a discreet black Phaeton, carrying several shopping bags and boxes as he escorted her home.
Elara had tried to insist it wasn't necessary, but Jack had already prepared gifts for every member of her family.
He knew exactly how to handle such situations—what to say, what not to say, what gestures mattered.
Once the gifts had been handed off, he left swiftly and politely.
"Grandma," Elara said, placing the gifts on the floor, "these are for everyone. Feel free to divide them up however you like."