The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart novel Chapter 676

William had practically sequestered himself in his room for a solid week.

News of the impending union between the Dillion and the Salter families spread like wildfire.

Everything that had transpired at the engagement party was hushed up by the Salter family, but there were still those in the know who were gleefully spreading rumors within their social circles.

Accusations of deceit and even rape were being bandied about.

Carla had tried to visit him a few times, but William had refused to see her. On her last attempt, he finally agreed to meet her.

Carla looked at William's sunken eyes and clenched her fists instinctively.

"William, are you okay?" She asked with concern in her voice.

William was dressed in a thin white knitted sweater. In just a week, he had lost over twenty pounds, looking ragged and haggard.

He stood up and asked her as he wanted to be sure, "Are you really sure you want to marry me?"

"William, you promised to marry me..." Carla panicked, thinking he was going to break off their engagement, "I really do love you. I know what happened that night wasn’t what you wanted, I..."

"Why didn't you tell the Salter family that I didn't force myself on you? That the wounds on my body were self-inflicted, not caused by you?" William cut her off, "You claim to love me, yet you've framed me and forced me into marriage using public opinion?"

He had downed a glass of whiskey, feeling unwell. He had intended to find a place to rest, but Carla had approached him, resulting in a scuffle that had him crashing into a wall and getting injured.

In his panic, he grabbed a fruit knife and cut his own hand. By the time he had sobered up, Carla was sitting on the bed in disarray, and before he could apologize, the Salter family had barged in. From then on, everything spiraled out of control, and he had no time to explain the situation.

Carla was speechless for a moment, then she said, her face white as a sheet, "William, I love you too much. I know you don't love me back, but can't you just pity me and give me a chance?"

She knew that was her only opportunity of having him.

She also knew about the pressure William was currently under, but that was okay. As long as they got married, she would make it up to him. She would make William love her, and she would take steps to suppress the rumors.

Any lingering goodwill William had for Carla evaporated in an instant.

He turned and walked to the window, staying silent for a long time.

Carla approached him gingerly, taking his hand. "William, don't worry about the rumors. They'll die down soon. After we get married, I promise to make it up to you."