Married at First Sight Chapter 4563 – Maddox asked with interest, “What’s going on? Did River come looking to settle scores? He wants you to take responsibility or something? Romina, are you heading out now? Tell me where, I’ll head over—this’ll be my chance to get that dinner you owe me.”
Romina replied, “I’m just about to head out. You said you were busy, so I figured I’d skip dinner with you today. I’m going shopping—to buy River ten new sets of clothes. I got his suit all messy last night, and now he’s demanding I compensate him with ten new outfits. Maddox, why do I feel like you’re enjoying this—you sound like you’re just here for the drama.”
Maddox chuckled, “I am enjoying the show, but I’m definitely not gloating. Romina, you and I—we’re not going to become lovers or a married couple, but we’re still friends. We trust each other. And friends care about each other—I care about you.”
Romina said, “We went on a blind date and were thinking about building something. Now River’s thrown himself into the middle of this, and that makes him your love rival. But you’re not even mad. You just seem entertained.”
“Are the melons that sweet, or are you just not interested in me?”
Maddox smiled. “What you feel about me is what I feel about you. We’re on the same page. Don’t make fun of me when you’re just a few steps ahead. Besides, River’s not exactly a love rival. Honestly, I kind of admire him. I’d like to be friends with him—I just don’t know if he’d be open to it.”
Romina responded flatly, “I doubt he wants to be friends with you.”
Maddox laughed, thinking back to River’s cold attitude the night before. “Probably because he thinks you and I are a real couple. So he sees me as competition and doesn’t want anything to do with me. But once he realizes you and I are just friends—and that there’s no plan to link our families through marriage—I think he’ll change his mind. Maybe he won’t see me as a threat anymore.
Honestly, I wanted to drive you home last night. You weren’t clinging to River. If I’d insisted, I could’ve taken you home—but River wouldn’t let me. He said you were drunk and mentally unstable and was afraid I’d do something to you. So he rushed over and insisted on taking you home himself.
Romina, why are you still going on blind dates? You’ve already got a guardian angel watching over you—you just haven’t realized it yet. And he’s better than me. He’s a better match for you, too.”
Romina was speechless.
So many people thought she and River were a couple.
It was bizarre. They were supposed to be mortal enemies—so how could others see anything romantic between them?
She said, “Okay, I’ll head to Eaglioncile Hotel. If you can make it, great. Dinner’s on me. We’ll talk more then. I’ll go shopping for those clothes first, so I might not get there right away.”
Maddox said, “It’ll probably take me an hour to get there, so yeah, go shopping first. Don’t forget to buy him ten shirts to match those suits—and ten new ties while you’re at it. The whole look matters. You women have better taste. Us guys—honestly—we’re just winging it. I’ve seen River wear the same style every day. He doesn’t even change things up. A few new combos would make a difference.”
Romina grumbled, “He’s not my man. Why should I be the one matching his outfits?”
“Sure, sure. See you in an hour.”
Married at First Sight Chapter 4564 -Romina hung up the call and sighed.
It felt like everyone around her now saw her and River as a couple.
Leaning back in her seat, she grew more annoyed. But after sulking for a bit, that annoyance turned into something deeper—her heart started to ache.
She and her grandfather had already talked it through—there was no way she and River could be together.
Their families were business rivals. Even if she left the Lafond Group and married him, could he ever truly trust her? Wouldn’t he always think she might steal company secrets?
And honestly, she had no intention of leaving the Lafond Group.
If that was the price for love, then she’d rather stay single.
Her grandmother had always taught her that women should be financially independent—before and after marriage. Depending on a man was a gamble.
Even if she married rich and became some high-society lady, if she had no income of her own, she’d always be at someone’s mercy. She’d have to watch her tone and behavior, always worried about whether she could ask for something.
Her grandmother had seen it all firsthand.
She told Romina about her own mother-in-law, Romina’s great-grandmother, who lived a life of complete dependence. When she married into the Lafond family, her husband—Romina’s great-grandfather—was just starting his business. He didn’t have time for home life. She stayed home, raised kids, and looked after the household.
As the business grew and her husband became wealthy, she remained in the same position—just the housewife in the background.
When he was in a good mood, he’d give her household money.
When he was in a bad mood, he gave that money to the butler instead.
The servants in the house had salaries—they were wealthier than the wife. She had nothing unless her husband gave her something.
Once, after a bad argument, he left on a business trip without giving her any money. She was forced to sell her jewelry just to survive.
It was only when their children grew up and started giving their mother spending money that her situation improved.
Romina’s grandmother had experienced this and refused to repeat it. When she married into the Lafond family, her father-in-law wanted her to stay home and live like a traditional lady. He said they were rich enough—she didn’t need to work.
But she didn’t listen.
Romina’s grandfather was more progressive. He supported his wife’s career. Together, they expanded the Lafond family business into what it is today.
That’s why Romina was raised on these lessons: no matter how powerful the man, a woman must be financially independent.
The mountain may collapse, but self-reliance is unshakable.
Romina had her own career. Even if she had enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life, she wouldn’t give up everything she had built—not for love, and certainly not for marriage.
She would rather stay single than lose her freedom.