MATHILDA'S POV

Being trapped in the car with Fredric's cynical stare drilling into me made it hard to breathe. The tension was suffocating, and my thoughts wouldn't stop circling around my father's pale face and fragile condition. Why do my twenties have to be so miserable? Why does every chapter of my life seem to hurt more than the last?

"Are you all right, Mathilda?"

Only one thing soothed me-the warmth in Mrs. Rosa's voice, her motherly tone that never failed to calm the chaos inside me.

"I don't know, Mrs. Rosa," I murmured softly. "I'm still thinking about my father..."

"Crybaby," Fredric muttered from the front seat, rolling his eyes.

Oh, how I wished I could throw something at him-anything. His voice alone made me feel worse. Couldn't he show even the smallest bit of empathy?

"Fredric, mind your manners," Mrs. Rosa scolded him sharply before turning back to me. "You'll stay in the main house tonight, dear. Leave your father with the nurses on duty. He'll get the best care possible-I'll make sure of it."

Her words broke me. Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them. It had only been two months since Mother's funeral, and now Father's health was failing fast. I couldn't bear it. Why did everything have to fall apart so quickly?

"Calm down, Mathilda," Mrs. Rosa said, taking my trembling hand. "Everything will be fine. I'll make sure your father receives proper treatment. He's in good hands. Our family doctor is already managing his care. Be strong, my dear."

Her touch brought a lump to my throat. It reminded me so much of my mother's gentle hands, of nights when she used to hold me through my tears. If only she were still here-none of this would be so unbearable.

"Stop crying now," Fredric said mockingly. "We'll be there soon, and your face is already a mess. You've got tears and a red nose-seriously, you look-Ow!"

The sharp smack that followed made me blink. Mrs. Rosa had slapped him right across the mouth. I didn't know whether to laugh or stay quiet, but deep inside, I felt oddly satisfied. She'd done what I'd wanted to do all along.

---

Dinner that evening was laid out like a royal feast. The table was covered with silver trays of food, delicate dishes, and glasses that shimmered under the warm lights. Everything looked beautiful-and completely tasteless to me.

My appetite had vanished. All I wanted was to go home and check on Father.

"Eat something, dear," Mrs. Rosa urged, smiling warmly. "Don't make me worry about two people. Trust me, your father will get better soon."

Her eyes were full of affection, so full it almost made me ache. I didn't want to disappoint her. So I nodded, picked up my fork, and took a small bite of the pasta before me.

"Grandma, what exactly do you want to talk about?" Fredric asked suddenly, glancing between us.

Yes. That was what I'd been wondering too. Why had she invited the three of us for such a formal dinner?

"Let's talk after we eat," Mrs. Rosa replied calmly. "Just enjoy your meal first."

Fredric sighed loudly. "Why? We're not the kind of family that sits in silence during dinner, right? Or maybe *your* family is like that, Mathilda?"

The way he said it-mocking, deliberate-made my heart sink. I swallowed hard, feeling a flush creep up my neck. The man I once admired was showing his true nature. How could I have ever thought there was kindness in him?

"I think Mr. Fredric is right, Mrs. Rosa," I said softly, forcing myself to speak. "You can tell us now."

Mrs. Rosa smiled-a wide, almost glowing smile. For a moment, I thought she might have good news about my father or her company. I had no idea that her next words would change my entire life.

"Very well," she said, setting her napkin down. She took a sip of wine and looked between us with eyes that sparkled with satisfaction.

"Go on, Grandma," Fredric said, smirking. "Don't keep us guessing with that mysterious smile."

"I want you two to get married."

My heart stopped.

For a second, the entire restaurant fell silent. I wasn't even sure I was breathing.

Fredric and I spoke at the exact same time-our voices overlapping in pure disbelief.

"WHAT?!"

"Lower your voices," she hissed quietly. "People are staring. That's why I wanted to talk after dinner."

Fredric stood up abruptly, shaking his head as if trying to erase her words from existence. "I don't know what you're thinking, Grandma, but I'm not part of this joke. I'll wait for you in the car."

And just like that, he walked out, leaving me frozen in my seat.

Mrs. Rosa, however, remained perfectly calm, smiling at me as though everything were completely normal.

"Mathilda," she said gently, "come here, dear."

My body refused to move, but my heart pounded in my chest. I wanted to understand. I needed to hear her explain this madness.

"First, I apologize for Fredric's behavior," she said once I finally scooted my chair closer. "He can be rude and cynical, but I'll talk to him. As you've just heard, I want you to marry him."

I stared at her, speechless.

Marry Fredric?

No. That couldn't be real.

Mrs. Rosa's expression was glowing, as though she were announcing something joyful, not something absurd. I admired Fredric once, yes-but that was years ago, before I knew what kind of person he really was. To marry him now would be torture.

"While you were at work," she continued, "I spoke to your father. Please don't think I'm taking advantage of his condition. I'm not. But I'm getting old, Mathilda. I want to see Fredric settle down-with someone I trust, someone I admire. And that person is you."

Her words stunned me into silence.

She reached across the table, clasping my hands tightly.

"Fredric's behavior is the result of his upbringing," she said with a weary sigh. "His father was... difficult. A selfish man who only chased after women. I'm afraid Fredric might repeat that mistake if I don't intervene. I won't allow him to marry someone who only wants his money. Paula isn't right for him. But you, Mathilda-you're sincere. You're good. Your family has been loyal to mine for decades."

My lips trembled. "Mrs. Rosa... there's no love between us. Mr. Fredric loves his girlfriend."

Her smile softened, but she shook her head. "Love can grow in time, dear. Fredric will come to appreciate you. He was just shocked, that's all. I'll talk to him once we get home."

I felt my heart sink.

It was useless to argue.

Fredric would never love me. To him, I wasn't even beautiful-I was a burden, an obligation, a symbol of everything he despised.

Mrs. Rosa patted my hand again. "Let's finish dinner," she said kindly. "We'll discuss this later. I hope you'll accept Fredric as your husband, Mathilda. Even if it takes time, I'll wait for your answer. You're the only one who can change him-who can stop him from chasing meaningless women and finally become a man."

I stared at her, the fork still in my hand, my food untouched.

She began eating again as if she hadn't just rearranged my entire future with a single sentence.

Meanwhile, I sat there in stunned silence, my thoughts spinning out of control.

*Marry Fredric?*

The same Fredric who mocked me, who hated being near me, who barely treated me like a person?

I couldn't do it.

But then... how could I refuse the woman who had done so much for our family?

I looked down at my trembling hands and whispered silently, *Mom, what should I do now?*

Because whatever I chose next would change my life forever.