Chapter 2 A Proposal

• Upon reaching the church, Jemima was overwhelmed by emotions.
• she couldn't hold back the tears that threatened to leave her eyes. She ran towards the secret place in the church where she usually found solace whenever she was sad in the past.
• Immediately after she arrived there, she crashed to the ground and allowed her tears to flow through her eyelids freely.
• Her mind was numbed by the series of emotions evaporating from her body and she couldn't help it anymore.
• She was so engrossed in letting out her emotions that she didn't realize that her long wedding dress had caught the attention of another person.
• Silvia Sterling was stunned by the whimpering sound of a young lady dressed up in wedding attire at the secret place of the church.
• At first, she thought that she was crying out due to how happy she was getting married to her lover.
• However, she became puzzled as soon as she got closer and saw that the young lady had no one with her.
• And it didn't seem like she was crying out due to happiness.
• Without thinking twice, Silvia Sterling walked toward the young woman and wanted to know what happened to her
• . Even though she came to the church for different purposes. Silvia Sterling was not so cold-hearted as to overlook the painful scene before her.
• She came to the church to pray for the possible healing of her son, Cole Sterling, who had been in a vegetative state for two years after he got into an accident about two years ago.
• The doctors had concluded that he might never wake up again.
• However, Silvia Sterling refused to give up on her son without trying.
• She wanted to pray for his healing. she didn't know that she would come across a distressed person, who needed to get comforted as well.
• With the situation at hand, Silvia Sterling quickly understood what was happening.
• It seems like her groom ran away from the wedding.
• "Excuse me, Miss. Are you alright? What's wrong with you?" Silver Sterling asked.
• She stood a few steps away from where Jemima was. Hearing her question, Jemima quickly wiped her tears and looked back at the strange woman who had a warm expression on her face while looking at her.
• Immediately a look of recognition appeared in her eyes as she looked at the older woman. It was Silvia Sterling– The renowned businesswoman; who owned the Ventra Jewelry.
• Jemima was embarrassed at the thought of her miserable appearance.
• She wiped her face once more. The fact that she was dressed in a wedding dress without a groom gave her more reasons to feel bad.
• However, it was better to live a life with honest people than to be bonded by treachery. "I'm alright, ma'am. Thank you for your concern." Jemima said and forced a smile out of her painful heart.
• "But you don't look too good to me. If you don't mind me asking–Did your groom disappear before the wedding ceremony began?" Silvia Sterling asked.
• However, she immediately felt bad for asking such a straightforward question in a situation like this.
• Jemima felt self-pitied when she heard the older woman's question. She didn't have a groom and it was normal for others to be curious.
• She bit her lips and was about to answer when Silvia Sterling beat her to it and said, "I'm sorry for asking such a question. Don't mind me."
• "No, it's alright ma'am. You are right, I don't have a groom. I mean, I ran away since my stepmother wanted me to get married to an old man. Who's old enough to be my father? I can't get married to him, otherwise, my life".
• Jemima couldn't finish her words as tears streamed down her cheeks.
• Silvia Sterling was immediately touched by her pitiful appearance.
• She wanted to go up to her and pull her into a hug. "Then, what are you doing here alone? You should be able to go to your friend's place for safety, right?" Silvia asked.
• "I can't do that, Ma’am . My family knows all my friends, they'll come to look for me over there and if they find me, they will force me to get married. The church is the safest place for me right now."
• Jemima Forrest said with an assured smile.
• "Okay. How about I present you with a suggestion? I know, this is sudden but this is also a good idea for you."
• "What do you mean to say, Ma’am ? Could you elucidate on this?" Jemima had a look of confusion on her face.
• "Well. I want you to become my daughter in–law–" Silvia Sterling weighed her words carefully and dropped them like an atomic bomb.
• The atmosphere became sullen as soon as she said these words. The entire place became silent and no one said anything as they allowed the world to reverberate between them.
• Jemima felt like she had heard the biggest and most shocking joke in her life.
• Her head was spinning around for a couple of seconds. However, she didn't lose her sanity and decided to give it a thought.
• Even though she had only one person in her heart. It was also true that the same person didn't love her and he only wanted to use her for his games.
• If she gets married right now, she would have both power, shelter, and safety – Not only that, but her appearance in front of others might improve drastically.
• Not only will she have the fear of being forced to get married to the old and lecherous Lucas Penty be diminished.
• She will also have a permanent visa to avoid future occurrences. She was too unsophisticated and innocent.
• She allowed them to make a fool out of her. However, not anymore. Not after everything she has seen so far.
• After giving it a little bit of thought, Jemima raised her head and looked at Silvia Sterling with determination.
• She looked at the older woman with all due seriousness and one could see how determined she was.
• Jemima knew what she was getting into. After all, she has seen the news about the man. She parted her lips and said, “I'll do it!”