Chooses Madness 196

Chapter 196 

Tristian’s heart tightened at Marianna’s words. He reached out and gently tapped her nose, his tone half- chiding as he said, “Don’t talk nonsense. There won’t be any future wife. You’re mine now. When you’re old enough, I’ll marry you. You’ll be my wife.” 

Marianna’s heart leaped with joy. “This is casier than I thought, she mused. 

But her face remained a picture of distress, her eyes red as she shook her head repeatedly. “No, we can’t. You’re the Sexton family heir, Tris. How could someone like me ever be worthy of you? 

“You should marry someone else. Even if it breaks my heart, even if I never marry anyone my whole life, what happened today is enough for me to cherish forever. I can’t be so selfish–I won’t ruin your reputation or your future.” 

She moved to get out of bed, but Tristian pulled her back into his arms. 

“Silly girl, what are you thinking? You just said it yourself–I’m the Sexton family heir. If I want to marry you, who’s going to stop me? Just relax and grow up, and wait to become my bride, the one and only Mrs. Sexton.” 

A triumphant smile tugged at Marianna’s lips. ‘Everything’s going according to plan,‘ she thought. 

Now it was time to get to the real point. She hesitated, then shook her head again, her expression troubled. 

“No, Kayla already hates me. She hired a bunch of thugs to stage that whole scene just to frame me. If I actually marry you, who knows what she’ll do to destroy me?” 

As she spoke, tears started streaming down her cheeks, like she’d just been frightened out of her wits. 

“Tris, you and Kayla are siblings. No matter how much I love you, I can’t put you in the middle of our conflict.” 

Tristian’s expression changed in an instant. “What did you just say? Kayla hired a bunch of thugs to stage some elaborate act? Tell me everything. What exactly happened?” 

Marianna’s long lashes fluttered as she carefully chose her words. Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. 

“You know how it is–Kayla’s grades have never been good, but she hates losing. She wanted to beat me so badly that she rallied the students from Class G to make a bet against Davon and me. 

“Deep down, she knew she couldn’t win on her own merit, so she paid off a group of thugs to pretend they were harassing her. 

“Then she reported it to the police, planning to have those thugs claim that Davon and I were the ones pulling the strings behind the whole thing. 

“Those thugs are already at the police station right now. Once they give their false testimony, the police will arrest both Davon and me. We’ll be thrown in jail, which means we won’t be able to take our final exams. And just like that, Kayla wins by default.” 

As she spoke, Marianna threw herself into Tristian’s arms. Tears streamed down her face as she continued, “Tris, I’m not afraid of losing to Kayla in a fair fight. But winning like this is unbearable. I can’t stand it. 

“But she’s your sister–the precious daughter of the Sexton family. I’m nobody. I don’t have power or connections. Even though I know exactly what Kayla’s doing, there’s nothing I can do to fight back 

Tristian pulled Marianna close against him, his expression darkening like a thundercloud. He muttered, “Kayla’s getting more and more out of control.” 

First she had the nerve to shave my head, then she actually hit me, and now she’s trying to frame Maria, he thought. ‘Not a chance!‘ 

He patted Marianna’s shoulder gently, his voice low and reassuring. “Don’t be afraid, Marianna. You’re my woman, and I will never let Kayla hurt you. You just focus on preparing for your final exams. I’ll take care of those thugs for you.” 

Marianna’s eyes widened as though she were genuinely shocked. “Really? But Kayla is your sister, after all. Won’t this put you in a difficult position?”