Chapter 7 I Will Marry Him

• When Juliette woke again, she was surrounded by the sterile smell of disinfectant and the faint sound of sobbing. Slowly opening her eyes, she spotted her parents—her father, Zachary Tillman, and her mother, Winona Leighton—standing nearby.
• Winona had lost a lot of weight in the past few months, worn down by the stress of her son's imprisonment. Now, as she watched her daughter lying pale and frail in the hospital bed, her heart shattered, and all she could do was weep silently.
• Zachary, too, looked older, his hair streaked with gray. His face was calm, but his eyes betrayed the depth of his sorrow.
• Juliette felt her chest tighten with emotion. Despite the fever still clouding her head, she mustered a faint smile. “Dad, Mom... you're both here.”
• Hearing her speak, her parents rushed to her side. Winona gently touched her face. “Jules, you're finally awake. Thank goodness.”
• “I'm sorry,” Juliette whispered, her voice hoarse. “I didn't mean to worry you.”
• Winona shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “Don't say that. Right now, all that matters is your health. We'll handle everything else as it comes.”
• Juliette nodded weakly, trying to remember what had happened before she fainted. She recalled Jackson's cruel words, but everything after that was a blur.
• Sensing her confusion, Winona spoke softly, “Jules, it was Jackson who brought you here. He even took care of all the bills. Does this mean... he's willing to help our family now?”
• Juliette's heart tightened at the thought, and she instinctively shook her head. After the humiliation Jackson had put her through, she couldn't bear the idea of him helping out of anything but pity.
• Zachary, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was soft, but his tone held authority. “Jules, I know how hard you've been working. You've done everything you can to save the company, and it's taken a toll on you. As your father, I've failed you.”
• Tears welled up in Juliette's eyes. “Dad, don't say that…”
• Zachary hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his words filled with determination. “Your brother's case isn't looking good. The lawyer says we have almost no chance of winning. The Tillman family's troubles are beyond a billion investment now. You and Jackson were once close...”
• He added, “You two were once engaged, practically on the verge of marriage. I know things ended badly, but the fact that he brought you here suggests there might still be something between you. If you married Jackson, it would save the family. For your brother and our family, Jules...”
• Juliette's mother wiped away her tears, silently nodding. They had no idea that Juliette had already been with Jackson, and that even that hadn't changed a thing.
• She didn't dare to let them know.
• The weight of her family's expectations pressed down on her, and after a long silence, Juliette finally raised her head, her voice steady. “I understand, Dad. Don't worry. I will marry Jackson.”
• The next morning at nine o'clock, Juliette arrived at the entrance of Prestige Group's building. This time, she was prepared. She knew she might have to wait all day for Jackson, but she wouldn't leave until she saw him.
• When she entered the reception area, she noticed the receptionist was new, and greeted her with a polite smile.