The Substitute Bride

Aron and Isla's parents left the compartment, looking quite satisfied. Meanwhile, Aron was surprised to see Autumn and Isla sitting together. "Hey, Autumn. What brings you here?" he asked.

"Hey, Aron, " Autumn said, standing up.

"I happened to meet Isla while I'm dining here. We just had a chat for a bit.

Are you guys heading out now?"

"Yeah, " Aron answered with a smile.

"Thank you for keeping her company today. I appreciate it, " he continued, noticing Isla's plump reddened eyes.

"No worries, " Autumn replied.

"Bye, Isla!"

Isla nodded, smiling back at her friend. She couldn't help but feel uneasy after Autumn left. Curious as she was, she couldn't just ask Sam what had happened after she left the compartment in front of Jina and John.

"Aron, your uncle and I are going to drop by the supermarket to buy something. Take Isla to her apartment, will you?"

Jina asked, looking at Isla.

"I will, Aunt, " Aron replied with a warm smile on his face.

After paying the bill, he noticed that Jina and John had already left. "There's a park nearby. Shall we take a walk?" he proposed, taking Isla by the hand.

Isla nodded her head in approval as she held Aron's hand. Bombarded by her thoughts, she decided to ask him a question.

"Did you agree to my mother's proposal?" "I did, " Aron replied.

"What?! Are you out of your mind?!" she exclaimed, looking at Aron in anger.

"Why did you do that?

Don't you think it's unreasonable?"

"I don't think it's unreasonable at all, " Aron replied calmly.

"Here's the thing. I've already spoken to your parents and they gave us the blessing for our marriage.

But I think there are still some problems between us that we should be able to resolve, " he continued, holding Isla's hands as they sat on the bench.

"Don't get me wrong. I just feel that you don't have much faith in me.

Even your parents trust me more than you do, " he hurriedl

id, trying to reassure her.

"My grandparents had treated me very well. But my aunt and uncle didn't like me very much. They thought I would take away their son's inheritance. So they urged my grandparents to send me away. Fortunately, my grandparents paid them no attention.

That's why I am so grateful to my grandparents. I will never abandon them no matter what happens, " he said, smiling as he continued.

"My grandpa was able to transfer his share to me when I turned eighteen. I've become the General Manager of the company ever since then. Because of that, my uncle had a fight with my grandparents. I even remember him threatening to disown them."

"What happened ever since then?"

Isla asked, concern apparent on her face as she held Aron's hands.

"Later on, I was able to bring the company great benefits. Shareholders started to speak highly of me. My aunt and uncle stopped giving me a hard time but they were still after my position. Others may be jealous of my life but the truth is, I still think I'm not lucky as you are, " Aron said, smiling as she looked at Isla.

"No matter what your parents do, they do it for your sake and they won't let others bully you. Just look at my father…"

He said, trailing off mid-sentence as he smiled bitterly to himself.