Home / All / Love, No More / Chapter 1

Share

Love, No More
Love, No More
Author: Seran

Chapter 1

Author: Seran
It took them exactly 20 minutes from start to finish. They must have practiced extensively to achieve such precise timing.

As Regina got dressed, Jared reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Flirtatiously, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Miss me already, Mr. Hampton?"

Unfazed, he picked up a lacy piece of underwear and tossed it at her face. "Stop leaving things around. You're taking too long—Vanessa will be back soon."

Regina's smile froze. She harrumphed. "Yeah, yeah. How could I possibly compare to Ms. Geis, hmm?

"Isn't it sad? How my unborn child will always be someone lesser…"

Jared smiled at the mention of her child. "You're pregnant?!"

He kissed her cheek, lifted her into the air, and twirled her in delight.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he cautiously set her down on a chair and caressed her stomach.

Regina smiled and leaned into the nervous man. "It's been two years. Don't you think something would've taken by now?"

'Two years, huh…'

Two years ago, there was the car accident that damaged my eyes. When I opened them again, my vision was never the same.

All I could see were blurry shapes.

Jared wrapped his arms around her with a smile, his gaze fixed on her stomach.

"Vanessa is my wife. She's blind, so I still have to be tactful. But you are my beloved. Why would you be someone lesser?"

Regina pouted and punched him softly. "Hmph. You're just saying that to make me happy.

"If I'm not anyone lesser, then my son will still be your illegitimate child!"

Unable to refute her, Jared hesitated before replying, "I won't let that happen. He will be respected.

"Once he's born, I'll have Vanessa adopt him. Then, the three of us can live happily ever after. He'll inherit my business. He'll be my son."

Regina smiled, but I shuddered with disgust.

I trusted this man with my life, yet he had done nothing but scheme against me and betray me.

'Very well, Jared. Very well.'

I waited until the door closed before walking out of the closet, lips pursed.

When Jared turned back after seeing Regina off, he immediately saw me in the living room.

A frantic expression flashed across his face. "V-Vanessa! When did you get back?"

"I didn't go out today."

He looked visibly nervous. "I see… Did you, by any chance, hear anything?"

He waved a hand in front of me. I feigned ignorance, shaking my head calmly. "No. Did something happen?"

His tense features relaxed as he realized my eyes were still unfocused.

He sat beside me and held my hand lovingly. "It's nothing. I had workers come by to fix something earlier, and I was worried they might have disturbed you.

"I love you, Vanessa."

Then, as if nothing had happened, he prepared my medicine and fed me dinner. He blew on every bite to make sure it had cooled before offering it to me.

I watched how meticulous he was and wondered for a moment if I had imagined everything that had happened earlier.

Reality hit me in the face the very next second.

"Vanessa, what do you think about adoption?"

I paled. He quickly tried to comfort me. "It's alright. We don't have to do anything you don't want to!

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up out of the blue… I'm sorry."

But that didn't mean he had changed his mind. After all, Regina's child couldn't stay in her womb forever.

An adoption was non-negotiable.

Related chapters

  • Love, No More   Chapter 2

    The next day, Jared left around dawn. I paid it no mind and focused on preparing my documents for leaving the country.“When are you coming over, Vanessa?” My brother’s voice was a balm to my nerves.“One more week,” I replied calmly.After catching up with him for a bit, I ended the call.Just as I turned around, I found Jared standing at the door. My heart stuttered, but I pretended not to notice him.“Vanessa?” he called out solemnly.I reached out to him. “Jared? Are you back?”He hummed in acknowledgment and took my phone, frowning when he saw the name in my recent contacts.“You were on a call with your brother?”When my brother first left for Murica, he wanted to take me with him so I could be treated overseas.Jared didn’t like that, and I stayed upon my husband’s insistence.He had never approved of my contact with my brother.I took a deep breath to gather my wits. “Mhmm. He called to ask how I was doing, and I told him not to worry about me.”Jared accepted my r

  • Love, No More   Chapter 3

    The last time Jared looked this nervous was during their wedding, back when his love was passionate, and his vows were thundering.He had stayed loyally by her side, even after her accident and the loss of her eyesight.She once thought their love would last forever, but dreams were never permanent.After a while and some hesitation, Jared said, “Vanessa, we should have a big celebration for our anniversary this year.”I agreed. This celebration would mark the end of our marriage.Jared gave me a genuine smile.Over the next few days, a sense of normalcy returned. Jared was seldom home, busy with preparations for the celebration.Not only had he booked the rooftop banquet hall, but he even arranged for the ingredients for the banquet to be transported from abroad on the day of the event.It was a day of happiness for some, and frustration for others. Regina hadn’t smiled once since Jared began preparing for the celebration.Soon, the day arrived.The majority of River City’s

  • Love, No More   Chapter 4

    The voice outside the door suddenly paused, and then the man pushed it open.I quickly held my breath and closed my eyes as I heard his footsteps grow closer and then move away again.When the door closed, Jared’s voice was much softer.“I installed so many cameras at home to keep an eye on her, so I’d know if she suddenly recovered! I didn’t want her to do anything to Regina’s kid!“And now you’re telling me she’s going to recover soon?“I don’t care what you do—Vanessa better stay blind.” His voice was sharp as he grabbed the doctor’s collar.With every word he said, I felt my body grow colder.I had always thought my blindness was the result of bad luck.Jared had searched far and wide for a cure, even booking flights to visit miracle doctors.Every time, I blamed myself for burdening him and dutifully finished every bowl of medicine he gave me, even if it changed nothing.Over time, the medicine began to taste worse, and I started pretending to drink it. Instead, I poured

  • Love, No More   Chapter 5

    The line fell silent. After a minute, he chuckled dryly.“That’s not funny, Vanessa.”“I’m not joking.” The determination in my voice made Jared anxious.“Vanessa!”Despite his fury, he kept his tone low.“What can a blind woman like you do without me?“Who would take pity on you and take care of you, huh?! Not even your family would do the things I’ve done for you!“Apologize to me and say you’re sorry now! Or I’ll never forgive you, and you’ll just be an orphan that nobody wants!”He had said the same things before, and back then, I believed them. I felt like the biggest burden.That was why I agreed and chose not to follow my brother to Murica.This method worked every single time in the past—I always ended up bending to his will.But this time, I hummed noncommittally. “Sure, whatever.”Jared was stunned. “You’re… crazy…”“Jared, I was blind, not stupid. And I’ve already recovered anyway.”He laughed dryly. “R-really? That’s great! Once you come back, we can—”I scof

  • Love, No More   Chapter 6

    Once that was dealt with, I moved into my brother’s house.He cried tears of happiness when he saw my recovered eyesight and thanked the Lord.Suddenly, as if remembering something, he frowned and mused, “Who knows, maybe you’d have regained your sight earlier if you’d agreed to leave with me. It’s all that b*stard’s fault.”I smiled comfortingly. “It’s not too late now.”My brother was right.I remember how clear and innocent Jared’s eyes were when we first met. He respected me, loved me, and always put me first.Even when I had a sudden craving for cake miles away in the middle of the night, he indulged my whims and booked us a flight without hesitation.I thought I had met my true love. I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.That was until the car accident when everything changed.It happened on a sharp turn along a mountain road. The brake jammed, and I couldn’t control the steering wheel. The car veered off the cliff with both of us inside.I remember Jared shou

  • Love, No More   Chapter 7

    I knew his voice anywhere.I looked at him warily. “What are you doing here?”Jared’s stubble was showing, his hair was a mess, and his wrinkled clothes left no doubt that he had rushed over.In my memories, he had always been calm and collected. This was the first time I had ever seen him so ruffled.His eyes were red and teary. “Please, Vanessa. I don’t want to get a divorce.“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Please, forgive me.”He stepped forward to grab my hand, but I turned to evade him.I scoffed at the pitiful look on his face. “Aren’t you tired of all this acting, Jared?”“Van…” He opened his mouth to explain himself, but I didn’t want to hear it.“Then we’ll go to court. My lawyer will contact you.” With that, I turned to leave.Suddenly, I felt something tighten over my wrist.Eyes red, he grabbed my hand and shouted, “How can you be so ungrateful? All I did was make a small mistake! Why do you have to ruin me like this?“I was there for you when you were blind! I to

  • Love, No More   Chapter 8

    Ever since that day, Jared seemed to have vanished and never showed himself again.I pushed him to the back of my mind and buried myself in work.Yet, until our divorce was finalized—until he signed the papers—I would never be truly free of him.With that, I contacted my lawyer and asked him to press Jared to sign.To my surprise, instead of receiving signed divorce papers, Regina found me first.“You b*tch! I’ll kill you! It’s all your fault! You’re the reason Jared doesn’t recognize our child! Give me my husband back! Give my son his father!”Her emotions were running high, and her abdomen trembled as she shouted.“I’ve already sent Jared the divorce papers. What he does is none of my business.”I tried to close the door, but Regina shoved her way forward, using her belly to block it. “Are you trying to kill me and the baby?!”This was my brother’s apartment. He and his family were out today, and I didn’t want to cause them trouble.My hesitation gave Regina the chance to e

  • Love, No More   Chapter 9

    I feared they would reappear, so I moved out of my brother’s house.Normalcy returned, and I even signed up for several hobby courses.They were fun and fulfilling.Just as I was preparing to start anew, I received a parcel containing a child’s toy drenched in fake blood.Inside was also a picture of me, my face sliced with a dagger, alongside the words scrawled in red ink: “Go to Hell!”Terrified, I quickly contacted building management, only to learn that the surveillance cameras had been destroyed three days earlier.I was sure this was a targeted attack.Before I could take action, I received a new project from my company—my hundredth new couple.If this project worked out, I would finally achieve my dream and earn a promotion.Excitedly, I walked into the conference room, only to be met with the face I detested most.“Vanessa, this is Mr. Hampton. You will be in charge of his wedding planning.”Jared extended his hand, his eyes filled with adoration.“Long time no see,

Latest chapter

  • Love, No More   Chapter 9

    I feared they would reappear, so I moved out of my brother’s house.Normalcy returned, and I even signed up for several hobby courses.They were fun and fulfilling.Just as I was preparing to start anew, I received a parcel containing a child’s toy drenched in fake blood.Inside was also a picture of me, my face sliced with a dagger, alongside the words scrawled in red ink: “Go to Hell!”Terrified, I quickly contacted building management, only to learn that the surveillance cameras had been destroyed three days earlier.I was sure this was a targeted attack.Before I could take action, I received a new project from my company—my hundredth new couple.If this project worked out, I would finally achieve my dream and earn a promotion.Excitedly, I walked into the conference room, only to be met with the face I detested most.“Vanessa, this is Mr. Hampton. You will be in charge of his wedding planning.”Jared extended his hand, his eyes filled with adoration.“Long time no see,

  • Love, No More   Chapter 8

    Ever since that day, Jared seemed to have vanished and never showed himself again.I pushed him to the back of my mind and buried myself in work.Yet, until our divorce was finalized—until he signed the papers—I would never be truly free of him.With that, I contacted my lawyer and asked him to press Jared to sign.To my surprise, instead of receiving signed divorce papers, Regina found me first.“You b*tch! I’ll kill you! It’s all your fault! You’re the reason Jared doesn’t recognize our child! Give me my husband back! Give my son his father!”Her emotions were running high, and her abdomen trembled as she shouted.“I’ve already sent Jared the divorce papers. What he does is none of my business.”I tried to close the door, but Regina shoved her way forward, using her belly to block it. “Are you trying to kill me and the baby?!”This was my brother’s apartment. He and his family were out today, and I didn’t want to cause them trouble.My hesitation gave Regina the chance to e

  • Love, No More   Chapter 7

    I knew his voice anywhere.I looked at him warily. “What are you doing here?”Jared’s stubble was showing, his hair was a mess, and his wrinkled clothes left no doubt that he had rushed over.In my memories, he had always been calm and collected. This was the first time I had ever seen him so ruffled.His eyes were red and teary. “Please, Vanessa. I don’t want to get a divorce.“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Please, forgive me.”He stepped forward to grab my hand, but I turned to evade him.I scoffed at the pitiful look on his face. “Aren’t you tired of all this acting, Jared?”“Van…” He opened his mouth to explain himself, but I didn’t want to hear it.“Then we’ll go to court. My lawyer will contact you.” With that, I turned to leave.Suddenly, I felt something tighten over my wrist.Eyes red, he grabbed my hand and shouted, “How can you be so ungrateful? All I did was make a small mistake! Why do you have to ruin me like this?“I was there for you when you were blind! I to

  • Love, No More   Chapter 6

    Once that was dealt with, I moved into my brother’s house.He cried tears of happiness when he saw my recovered eyesight and thanked the Lord.Suddenly, as if remembering something, he frowned and mused, “Who knows, maybe you’d have regained your sight earlier if you’d agreed to leave with me. It’s all that b*stard’s fault.”I smiled comfortingly. “It’s not too late now.”My brother was right.I remember how clear and innocent Jared’s eyes were when we first met. He respected me, loved me, and always put me first.Even when I had a sudden craving for cake miles away in the middle of the night, he indulged my whims and booked us a flight without hesitation.I thought I had met my true love. I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.That was until the car accident when everything changed.It happened on a sharp turn along a mountain road. The brake jammed, and I couldn’t control the steering wheel. The car veered off the cliff with both of us inside.I remember Jared shou

  • Love, No More   Chapter 5

    The line fell silent. After a minute, he chuckled dryly.“That’s not funny, Vanessa.”“I’m not joking.” The determination in my voice made Jared anxious.“Vanessa!”Despite his fury, he kept his tone low.“What can a blind woman like you do without me?“Who would take pity on you and take care of you, huh?! Not even your family would do the things I’ve done for you!“Apologize to me and say you’re sorry now! Or I’ll never forgive you, and you’ll just be an orphan that nobody wants!”He had said the same things before, and back then, I believed them. I felt like the biggest burden.That was why I agreed and chose not to follow my brother to Murica.This method worked every single time in the past—I always ended up bending to his will.But this time, I hummed noncommittally. “Sure, whatever.”Jared was stunned. “You’re… crazy…”“Jared, I was blind, not stupid. And I’ve already recovered anyway.”He laughed dryly. “R-really? That’s great! Once you come back, we can—”I scof

  • Love, No More   Chapter 4

    The voice outside the door suddenly paused, and then the man pushed it open.I quickly held my breath and closed my eyes as I heard his footsteps grow closer and then move away again.When the door closed, Jared’s voice was much softer.“I installed so many cameras at home to keep an eye on her, so I’d know if she suddenly recovered! I didn’t want her to do anything to Regina’s kid!“And now you’re telling me she’s going to recover soon?“I don’t care what you do—Vanessa better stay blind.” His voice was sharp as he grabbed the doctor’s collar.With every word he said, I felt my body grow colder.I had always thought my blindness was the result of bad luck.Jared had searched far and wide for a cure, even booking flights to visit miracle doctors.Every time, I blamed myself for burdening him and dutifully finished every bowl of medicine he gave me, even if it changed nothing.Over time, the medicine began to taste worse, and I started pretending to drink it. Instead, I poured

  • Love, No More   Chapter 3

    The last time Jared looked this nervous was during their wedding, back when his love was passionate, and his vows were thundering.He had stayed loyally by her side, even after her accident and the loss of her eyesight.She once thought their love would last forever, but dreams were never permanent.After a while and some hesitation, Jared said, “Vanessa, we should have a big celebration for our anniversary this year.”I agreed. This celebration would mark the end of our marriage.Jared gave me a genuine smile.Over the next few days, a sense of normalcy returned. Jared was seldom home, busy with preparations for the celebration.Not only had he booked the rooftop banquet hall, but he even arranged for the ingredients for the banquet to be transported from abroad on the day of the event.It was a day of happiness for some, and frustration for others. Regina hadn’t smiled once since Jared began preparing for the celebration.Soon, the day arrived.The majority of River City’s

  • Love, No More   Chapter 2

    The next day, Jared left around dawn. I paid it no mind and focused on preparing my documents for leaving the country.“When are you coming over, Vanessa?” My brother’s voice was a balm to my nerves.“One more week,” I replied calmly.After catching up with him for a bit, I ended the call.Just as I turned around, I found Jared standing at the door. My heart stuttered, but I pretended not to notice him.“Vanessa?” he called out solemnly.I reached out to him. “Jared? Are you back?”He hummed in acknowledgment and took my phone, frowning when he saw the name in my recent contacts.“You were on a call with your brother?”When my brother first left for Murica, he wanted to take me with him so I could be treated overseas.Jared didn’t like that, and I stayed upon my husband’s insistence.He had never approved of my contact with my brother.I took a deep breath to gather my wits. “Mhmm. He called to ask how I was doing, and I told him not to worry about me.”Jared accepted my r

  • Love, No More   Chapter 1

    It took them exactly 20 minutes from start to finish. They must have practiced extensively to achieve such precise timing.As Regina got dressed, Jared reached out and pulled her into his arms.Flirtatiously, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Miss me already, Mr. Hampton?"Unfazed, he picked up a lacy piece of underwear and tossed it at her face. "Stop leaving things around. You're taking too long—Vanessa will be back soon."Regina's smile froze. She harrumphed. "Yeah, yeah. How could I possibly compare to Ms. Geis, hmm?"Isn't it sad? How my unborn child will always be someone lesser…"Jared smiled at the mention of her child. "You're pregnant?!"He kissed her cheek, lifted her into the air, and twirled her in delight.Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he cautiously set her down on a chair and caressed her stomach.Regina smiled and leaned into the nervous man. "It's been two years. Don't you think something would've taken by now?"'Two years, huh…'Two years ago

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status