Married a Secret Billionaire by Breaking Wave

"Dad!" Persephone frowned. "Did I say something wrong? What you're worried
about is that if there are any rumors about Morpheus and me, it might hinder
potential alliances with other families, right?

"I want to decide my marriage for myself! I'm not a pawn for alliances, and I
refuse to pick someone I don't like among these families just for the Hamertons'
benefit!"

"Quiet!" Lina glared at her. "You're becoming more disrespectful, shouting like
this at your parents!"

Persephone stopped speaking, but her chest heaved with emotions, and her
hands trembled.

"Protecting the interests of the entire Hamerton family is the responsibility of
every Hamerton!" Zuko spoke sternly. "Your marriage is not solely your decision.
Even if you choose, it must be with someone from a compatible background!
"Besides, our main concern is for you!" Zuko was angry. "Morpheus isn't
someone we can entrust you to. You can't be with him!" "Why not?"
Persephone's voice trembled, and her eyes welled up with tears. "During those
days in Flinge, if it weren't for him taking care of me, you might not have seen me
again! And in the end, he took a bullet for me... That scar is still on him!"

"You shouldn't sacrifice your entire life just because of this!" Lina raised her
voice. "He took care of you in Flinge and saved you. We appreciate him for that.
But gratitude is one thing while being with him is another!"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know about his background?" Lina's gaze turned stern, staring
Persephone straight in the eyes. "Do you understand what kind of person he
really is? Do you know what he went through in the past? I heard he survived on
a chaotic street in Flinge before meeting you... How can we trust someone like
that to take care of you?!"

"Mom—"

Lina spoke with gravity. "Sephy, our family has already dealt with a Seamus. Your
father and I can't bear a second one!"

"He's not like Seamus!" Persephone defended.

"Does that show on his face?" Zuko scolded loudly. "Persephone, where's your
common sense? Haven't you learned from your previous mistake?

"Seamus was raised in the Hamertons. We watched him grow up! He was close
to you since childhood, but his motives were so deceptive... He spent years
pretending, catching us off guard! If Seamus was like that, how can we possibly
trust Morpheus?"

"Alright. Let's talk to our daughter properly. Why are you getting so worked up?"
Lina hurried over to calm Zuko down, giving him a meaningful glance.

Zuko calmed down and looked at Persephone. His daughter stood there, head
slightly lowered, tears swirling in her eyes. Still, she held them back from falling.
Ever since she was little, this was her stubborn temperament. Most kids would
cry out loud when wronged, but she held back her tears until she couldn't
anymore, not wanting anyone to see.

"Sephy, your dad and I only want what's best for you," Lina said gently. "We won't
mistreat Morpheus, but we also won't trade your lifelong happiness to repay him."
After saying that, the two of them left helplessly.

Persephone bit her lip, feeling a sense of powerlessness welling up inside her.
"Mom and Dad are doing this for your own good."—was this love or a shackle?
At that moment, her phone rang. It was a message from Morpheus with an
address, asking her to meet there. She checked it, a fairly unfamiliar place.
"You'll find out once you get here," Morpheus said. "I have something I want to
talk to you about.”

"Perfect, I also have something to discuss with you. But... I'l need some time
before I can leave.”

There was a moment of silence on the phone, then Morpheus’ low voice came
through. "Have you been crying?"