Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3395

Marina gave a faint smile. "I didn't want to ruin the party vibe, so I only told Estelle. Something came up, and I need to head back now."

Carson raised an eyebrow. "Is it urgent?"

Marina stayed quiet.

Carson checked his watch. "I'll go back with you."

"No, it's fine," Marina quickly declined. "The party isn't over. Stay with Jonah and the guys. I can go by myself."

Carson had been drinking, but he wasn't drunk. His eyes were clear, and the alcohol only seemed to enhance his refined, handsome features. He took the handle of her suitcase. "I'm not letting you go back alone."

Marina watched the man walk ahead with her luggage and simply shrugged. If he wanted to play the role of the perfect fiancé, she'd let him.

Since both of them had been drinking, Carson had his driver take his car to bring them back to J City.

During the drive, Marina received a call from her family. Her expression quickly darkened. "I already told you, I don't agree!"

Carson glanced over. She had her head turned slightly, a few loose strands from her low ponytail falling over her face, masking the frustration and faint hurt in her eyes.

Whoever was on the other end said something that made Marina's jaw tighten. She was clearly struggling to keep her temper in check. "We've been compromising my whole life. Can't Dad just stand his ground for me this one time?"

"Yes, I'm coming home tonight. I haven't agreed to anything, and no one is making this decision for me."

"That's it. We'll talk when I get back."

She hung up the phone. Carson looked at her. "What happened?"

Marina didn't want to talk about it. Her family's messy dynamics weren't something she liked airing out to outsiders.

Carson's lips curved into a slight smirk. "I'm leaving a great party in the middle of the night to escort you back, and you're keeping secrets? Try me. I might actually be able to help."

She was only in middle school then. Seeing her puppy lying there lifeless after raising it for months, she sobbed uncontrollably. In her grief and rage, she shoved Phoebe. Phoebe instantly had a heart attack and ended up in the emergency room.

Suddenly, all the blame shifted to Marina. The entire family berated her for being malicious, accusing her of hurting her own cousin over a dog.

Things like that happened constantly.

She never understood why Phoebe always wanted the exact things she loved.

But this time, she was absolutely not backing down.

"If it's yours, why the hell should you give it to anyone else?" Carson sneered.

Marina turned to look out the window into the dark night. "Exactly. I've given up enough."