"I don't think you will understand me Judge Dupain, and it will be hard for me to explain. I'm sorry, but I can't marry your daughter anymore because I care for Mari, I love her." Adrien said calmly. "I love Mari so much that it's her that I'll marry."

Tom shook his head. "You can't marry a girl from the streets clumsy vague uncultured-"

"Remember that Mari was raised in an orphanage. Maybe Lila would have been the same as Mari if she stayed in the orphanage where her mother abandoned her." Adrien said sternly.


Natalie walked into Ruby's room. "Ruby you have a phone call."

Ruby looked up from doing her homework. "From who Natalie?"

"From a Mathew but I would say from your boyfriend." Natalie said playfully as she handed her the phone before walking away.

Ruby blushed a bit before answering. "Hello?"

"Am I talking to the most beautiful girl whom I have ever met?" Came the voice on the other line. "My muse my inspiration?"

"Yeah right when have you ever painted me." Ruby replied with a soft smile.

"Well not yet but I hope it's soon. What were you doing just now?" Mathew asked curiously.

"I was about to start a homework assignment, but I should finish in about 10 minutes." Ruby replied.

"I'm close to your house. How about in a few minutes, I'll pick you up, and we can do something." Mathew suggested

"I'll be waiting for you." Ruby replied softly before hanging up.


"Lila has class, she would have never become a delinquent like that ungrateful girl. We open our doors to her and how does she repay us? Not just by stealing from us but also going between you and Lila." Tom replied. "I know that she intended to ruin Lila's wedding because of envy. Mari wanted what Lila had."

"Please don't accuse Mari because I'm to blame." Adrien replied gently.

"You are worse than guilty. You are weak and immoral. My daughter will suffer the embarrassment of being abandon days before her wedding. I'm glad she won't marry you. I wanted an innocent man for her, and you're showing me that you aren't. You are free to do what you want one day you will realize what you have lost. I pity you." With that Tom walks away.


Mari sighs as she lays down on the bed. "Gezz Teddy what a situation. Do I love him...do I not love him..." Mari thinks of both the kisses between them and smiled softly. "I do love him...but how do I love him...if I only knew how I love Adrien Teddy. Like a partner?" Mari shivers at the thought. "God please help me figure this out."


"I can't believe it dad couldn't achieve anything from Adrien." Lila said pacing around her room.

"He must have not forced him if he did he would've achieved something." Isabella replied.

"It's not that easy aunt. She conquered him by giving him something I didn't. Now everyone will talk about how I got dumped days before my wedding." Lila said crossing her arms.

"You don't need to overreact around me. No one will worry about that. The friends of the family barely met you. The dramatic thing would be if you also lost the money here." Isabella said sternly.


Ruby and Mathew were standing on the Elfor Tower looking over the city. "I thanked Mari."

"For what?" Mathew asked confused.

"Because I met you thanks to her." She replied softly.

Mathew chuckled. "That's true Mari has a talent to unite people."


The next morning father Carlos walked to the front door of the Agreste household just when Adrien was walking out. "Good morning father. How are you?"

"Good morning Agreste. I am here to see Marinette." Father Carlos replied.

"Um...Mari I left her eating breakfast father. Will you talk to her?" Adrien asked worriedly.

Father Carlos nodded. "Yes have you?"

"I have talked to her, but I haven't confessed the truth yet. I'm waiting for the right moment. I need will power, please understand father." Adrien replied.

"I understand well excuse me." Father Carlos walked inside the house and found Mari in the living room.

When she saw him, she quickly stood up and hugged him. "Father what a surprise to see you; I wasn't expecting you."

"How are you dear?" Father Carlos asked.

"Good." They broke the hug and sat on the couch. "You know father Adrien told me that he wants to marry me."

Father Carlos raised an eyebrow. "For what reason?"

"He says...he says that he loves me." Mari said softly blushing a bit.

"And how did you respond?" Father Carlos asked curiously.

"I didn't." Mari replied softly.

"So you didn't say no or yes." Mari nodded. "Do you love him?"

"I don't know father I'm so confused." Mari replied frustrated.

Father Carlos sighed. "Marinette...I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Mari asked curiously.


On Mondays, Adrien gave classes in a center where people that can't afford his classes in the university can attend. Adrien parked his car near the sidewalk and got out. At that moment the alarms of the bank next to the center rang and four people, wearing ski masks ran out along with the security police. Gun shots started, and like everyone else Adrien ducked but being so close to the scene a ballet hit his left shoulder, and everything went black in an instant.


"Will you tell me or not father?" Mari asked again wondering what he wanted to tell her.

Father Carlos shook his head. "It's nothing important forget I ever mentioned anything. Now tell me how is it that you don't know how you feel about Agreste?"

Mari sighs and looks down. "It just that...I think that I do love him, but I'm afraid." She looks back up.

"Why?" Father Carlos asked.

"I keep thinking about what happened to me, and I feel shivers down my back but Adrien doesn't have the blame for what happened to me, and I doubt he would do the same thing right?" Just then the house phone rang. "Excuse me father." She stood up and answered the phone. "Hello?...yes it's here...Adrien?!...but how?! What happened?...p-please tell me where you have him...alright bye." Mari hangs up all shaken.

"Who was it Mari? Natalie asked worriedly at her reaction.

"What happened to Agreste." Father Carlos also asked.

"He was injured by a gunshot and was taken to the Red Cross." Mari said with unstable breathing. "He could be dying."

Natalie went over to her and hugged her. "Calm down Mari."

"Let everyone know Natalie." Mari said breathing heavily.

"There's no one in the house Mrs. Audrey went out and Ruby and Maya are in their classes." Natalie replied.

"I'm going to the hospital." Mari said desperately.

"I'll go with you." Father Carlos replied.

"Natalie when everyone returns let them know." Mari said before heading out with father Carlos.


"How is everything Miss?" Adrien asked the nurse. He woke up a few minutes ago and found his arm in a sling.

"Luckily, the ballet didn't hit anything delicated." The nurse closed his file. "The doctor wants to know if you want to be transported to a particular hospital."

"No I trust in your attention." The nurse nodded and walked out of the room not even a second later Mari runs in the room and to his side. "Mari." Adrien smiled and saw father Carlos walk in the room. "Father."

"How do you feel?" Father Carlos asked.

"You gave me a heart attack." Mari said out of breath.

"Don't worry." Adrien said softly.

"How did it happen?" Father Carlos asked curiously.

"Well, there was a robbery in a bank, there were gun shots and one hit me making me loose conscious. Nothing delicated was injured so I'm fine." Adrien replied.

"I thought you were dying." Mari said softly.

"Well, you see me alive, and I hope to stay like that for a long time." Adrien smiled at her, and she returned the smile.

"I well check when you'll be able to leave." With that father Carlos left the room.

"Were you really scared?" Adrien asked.

"Yes a lot, I even preyed to God that you would be okay." Mari replied. "I'm glad I don't know what my life would be like without you. I might have died too."

"Does that mean you love me?" Adrien asked softly and hopeful.

Mari smiled softly. "Yes...yes Adrien I love you. Can I stay here to take care of you?"

Adrien nodded with a bright smile. "As long as you want. Why did it take you so long to admit your feelings?"

"I already told you sometimes it scares me after what happened to me..." Mari said softly.

"Please don't think about that. Make it seem like it never happened." Adrien replied gently.

Mari shook her head. "Like it was that easy."

"Than let me help you forget about it." Adrien replied gently taking her hand. "I can cure you and with every second that you were in the darkness, I can give you many more of happiness with my love that comes from the soul."

Mari smiled looking down. "What you said sounds pretty but what if it can't be? I'm telling you that I'm scared."

"Than I'll promise you this I promise you that I won't get near you or touch you until you say otherwise." Adrien replied with a smile. "Not even a kiss or hug if you don't desire it."

"What if I never desire it?" Mari asked looking back up.

Adrien chuckled softly. "Than I'll never touch or kiss you."

Mari looked at him shocked and in disbelief. "Really?"

Adrien nodded. "Really, I'll be fine by just having you near me. Seeing you calm and happy by my side."

Mari smiled and moved a strand of hair away from his forehead. "You are very kind Adrien."

Adrien shook his head. "I just want you to see that pure love isn't bad it is the most beautiful thing in the world." They heard a soft cough and when they looked toward the door, they saw Audrey standing there.


"Audrey also wants to forbid Adrien from marrying that street rat." Isabella told Lila as she sat on one of the chairs in her room. "She says that she has an idea, and it has to do with his daughter something about Adrien not being able to be separated from her."

"I'll call Audrey." Lila extended her hand, and Plagg gave her the phone. She took it and dialed.

"Hello?" Came the voice of Natalie from the other line.

"With Audrey please." Lila replied.

"Mrs. Audrey isn't here Miss. Lila." Natalie replied.

"Will she take long?" Lila asked.

"I don't know she went to the Red Cross since Mr. Adrien was injured by a ballet, and that's where he is." Natalie answered, and Lila stood up surprised.


"How do you feel? Why do I ask I should assume very well with her company?" Audrey said sarcastically.

"Yes Audrey Mari's company makes me feel better every time." Adrien replied with a smile.

"I wasn't thinking of coming, but it would be rude of me not to worry about your health." Audrey replied with a fake smile.

"You have always been a true lady." Adrien replied trying to hide his sarcasm.

"Of course, some are born like that and others never get to be one." Audrey replied looking at Mari as she said the last part. Then she looked around the room. "When will you move to a private hospital? This isn't a place for a man of your status."

"They are treating me well, and that's what counts." Adrien replied.

"I see how much your likings and preferences changed just like Ruby. By the way, your sister is still seeing that guy with the motorcycle that this young...lady introduce to her. She'll do the same thing with Maya if I don't avoid it, and I will. Get well." With that she leaves the room.


"He got injured?" Isabella asked surprised.

"Yes he got shot and now he's at the Red Cross." Lila replied stunned.

"Well what are you waiting for go to his side. This is the moment you should take advantage of. Go immediately to the Red Cross you need to be by Adrien's side." Isabella said sternly.


"A lot of people are against me. I'm going to end up hating everyone like I hate that jerk." Mari said irritated.

"Don't say that Mari. Before Audrey interrupted us, I was talking about love. Don't let the word hate bitter your lips and much less your life. Don't hate anymore not even that jerk for us" Adrien told her softly.

"It just that I hate that jerk even more now." Mari replied.

"Why do you say that?" Adrien asked concern.

Mari sighs. "Because if it wasn't for him, I could actually be okay being in love with you without being afraid. I would just close my eyes and be overwhelmed with happiness because I do love you that's why I hate him more. Because of him, I can't say to love me Adrien from the soul. Just how true love should be."

"That's how it will be one day when my love surrounds you with sweetness and forgiveness and that's why I'm wondering do you want to marry me?" Adrien asked with a gentle smile.

Mari smiled and nodded. "Yes Adrien I do want to marry you." Adrien returned the smile. "You probably need rest after what happened, I'll let you sleep." Adrien slowly nodded as Mari stood up and walked out the door. As Mari closed the door behind her Lila walked in front of her.

"I'm here to see Adrien." Lila said sternly.

Mari crossed her arms and leaned on the door. "He's asleep."

"Adrien is still my boyfriend." Mari rolled her eyes before moving aside to let her in. Lila opened the door and walked inside closing the door behind her. "Love." Adrien opened his eyes and sighs.


Plagg was serving the Dupain, who were at the study, some tea. "Excuse me by chance, I found out that Mr. Adrien got shot while heading to his classes."

"Shot? How? Who shot him?" Sabine asked shocked.

"Burglars robbed a bank near by, and the police got there the shooting started and one of the ballets hit the doctor." Plagg replied.

Sabine looked at Tom. "We need to find out where he is, so we can go see him."

"Do you know where he is?" Tom asked Plagg.

"I think at the Red Cross." Plagg replied.

"Let's go see him Tom it could be something urgent." Sabine said worriedly.

"We aren't going anywhere. After what that man did canceling the wedding with our daughter, we won't even talk to him." Tom said sternly.

"How can you react like that he has been a friend of the family for years. He's a human being." Sabine replied.

"I'm sorry to disagree with you. We won't go see him or ask about him." Tom replied.


"You don't know how worried I was after finding out what happened to you. How are you?" Lila asked sitting on the bed.

"Good Lila don't worry. Luckily, nothing bad happened to me." Adrien replied.

"Either way I wanted to see you. Please forgive my ridiculous actions. I just got jealous, and that's why I said the things that I did and demanded you to kick Mari from your house." Lila said faking sadness.

"Did your dad tell you what we talked about?" Adrien asked curiously.

"Yes he said that you want to break our engagement, but I deny to believe it." Lila said softly.

Adrien sighs. "Lila I'm sorry but its the truth. I'm going to marry Mari."

"Because you feel obligated with her?" Lila asked.

"No because I love her." Adrien replied. "I just told her a moment ago, and she just accepted. We'll get married soon." Before Adrien knew it, he was slapped across the face.


"I just found out. How is he?" Ruby asked Mari at the hallway.

Mari grabbed her hands. "Don't worry he's fine."

"Is he asleep?" Ruby asked curiously.

Mari crossed her arms. "I don't know I left him to rest, but the great Lila came and walked inside the room."

"Yea the saint girlfriend who comes worried to see the future husband." Ruby replied sarcastically as she also crosses her arms.

Mari smiled and whispered in Ruby's ear really fast. "She and Adrien won't get married anymore."

Ruby blinked and looked at her confused. "What?"

"Adrien won't get married with Lila anymore because...he's going to marry me!" Mari said and the two girls squeal as Ruby hugs her.


"I'm sorry Adrien, I lost control-" Lila started.

"No I'm sorry Lila, I understand you I acted wrong with you and your family. Hopefully one day, you can forgive me." Adrien replied.

"How ironic you ask me forgiveness while you ask her marriage. What do I get with you feeling guilty? You're standing me up a few days before our wedding with the invitations already out the dress hung in my closet." Lila said desperately. "I'll be made fun of."

"Believe me, I would do anything to avoid it." Adrien replied gently.

"Than forget her and marry me." Lila said sweetly.

"I can't do it Lila. I got close to you escaping from something. Escaping from Mari but now I know that I can't do it." Adrien sighs. "Lila Mari is the only woman for me."

"You'll regret this Adrien." Lila said before standing up and leaving the room just in time to hear Ruby say something to Mari that got her madder.

"Mari you'll be very happy with my brother sister in law." Ruby said happily. Mari smiled then noticed Lila and frowned.

"She'll never be happy with him. Neither will Adrien because life will make sure you guys pay for what you did to me." With that, Lila walks away.


Maya walked up to her grandmother Audrey, who was sitting in the living room. "Grandma why haven't I seen daddy. Natalie says that he's at the Red Cross what happened to him?"

"Your dad was injured Maya." Audrey replied softly. "He got shot."

"What?! Who hurt him?" Maya asked surprised.

"This will be a secret between you and me. It was Mari." Audrey answered.

"Mari?" Maya asked shocked.


Father Carlos walked inside the room and saw Adrien sitting down. "Already up?"

"Well I feel better I prefer to be sitting up than laying down." Adrien replied with a smile.

Father Carlos looked around the room. "I thought Mari was with you."

Adrien nodded. "She was she just went to get something from the cafeteria she hasn't left my side all day."

Father Carlos chuckled. "And she says that she doesn't love you."

"Mari doesn't say that anymore father. Mari accepted that she loves me and accepted to marry me." Father Carlos looked at him shocked. "It seems like getting shot helped a lot. Mari got scared thinking I was going to die, and she realized that she loves me."

"You already told her the truth?" Father Carlos asked.

Adrien frowns. "I haven't told Mari about that yet."

"You can't marry Marinette without telling her the truth." Father Carlos stated.

"I'm afraid of losing her father it's better if I tell her later." Adrien replied.

Father Carlos shook his head. "No it has to be before."

"Father she hates the man who harmed her. She has desire to kill him. I want to earn her forgiveness with patience with kindness sacrificing my passion. I promise her that I wouldn't kiss or touch her until she says otherwise." Adrien replied.

"Your wedding with her can't happen under a lie because I won't permit it. Marinette needs to know the truth. If you don't tell her I will." Father Carlos said sternly.

"Let me be the one to tell her I just need time." Adrien replied.

"How long?" Father Carlos asked.

"4 to 5 days." Adrien said gently.

"Alright I'll give you 5 days if you don't do it by then I will be well." With that father Carlos left the room and found Mari at the hallway.

"Hay father is Adrien asleep?" Mari asked curiously.

"No he's awake you can go in. Ah talk to him I think he has something to tell you." Father Carlos said with a smile.

Mari raised an eyebrow. "What father?"

Father Carlos shrugged. "I don't know." He walked away.

Mari enters the room and sits next to Adrien. "Father Carlos just told me that you have something to tell me." Mari noticed Adrien's confused look. "Was it a lie."

Adrien sighs. "No its the truth."

"What is it then?" Mari asked curiously.

"That we're getting married the day-after tomorrow." Adrien said seriously.