It was Colin. As soon as I answered the phone, I could hear his trembling voice."Lulu, Felix fell into the lake... He almost drowned. He's under rescue now, but his vital signs are weak..."Before I hung up the call, I heard loud knockings on my door. I could also hear Aunt Mel's cries through the door.Wasn't Felix so sick that he couldn't even walk? How did he get out? He learned to swim in the gym and even won swimming competitions in the district. How could he have almost drowned? Why was there a lake in the hospital?It had only been a night, so how did he become like this? How could this happen?My thoughts were so messy that I felt like I had a splitting headache.Felix remained unconscious for the next two days, relying on an IV drip to keep his vital signs stable.Colin and Dad visited the doctor several times to inquire about Felix's condition. The results were surprisingly consistent."The patient has no significant physical issues, but we suspect that he has a seri
My sensitive heart, the time we spent growing up together, my elders' tears and pleadings, Colin's sorrowful back—they controlled me like chains, with no way out.When I entered the ward on the fifth day, Aunt Mel hurried over to me with reddened eyes. She grabbed my hand and began crying."Lulu, please save Felix. I know he's done ridiculous things to you, but he still likes you. Can you forgive him? Please be with Felix. Only you can help him!"Everything I had feared was now coming true.However, I didn't want to. Why should I bear the consequences of Felix's own choices? Why should I live a life dominated by others?I had Colin. I only wanted to be with him.What about Colin and me? What would happen to the love we'd just started? I couldn't bear to part with him."Aunt Mel, there is nothing between me and Felix at all. Colin is the one I love. Even without Colin, I won't be with Felix. You're aware of what occurred back then. I'm also my mom's precious daughter. Why should
Dad and Mom were back. They were making dinner in the kitchen. When they heard me open the door, they came to greet me."Dad, Mom." I collapsed on the sofa, exhausted. The sense of powerlessness in my heart grew stronger."What's wrong, baby? Tell us. We can find a solution together. Don't worry." Mom embraced me and patted my back gently to comfort me.Her arms were so warm. I wanted to lie in her arms forever, forgetting about the trouble outside and the problems I couldn't fix."Mom, Felix hasn't woken up yet. Aunt Mel said that only I could save him. She wanted me to break up with Colin and be with Felix.""How could Mel say that? Lulu, tell us. What do you want?""I don't want to. Mom, I want to be with Colin."Dad patted my hand lovingly and declared they would support whatever decision I made. However, I was so uncomfortable that even the warmth of his hand couldn't soothe me."Lulu, you're our only daughter. What we want most in this life is your happiness. What happene
Indeed, they were right. I understood it better than them, but things were not that simple.If it were that easy, Felix wouldn't make himself so miserable.After seven days, on a Saturday, my parents were resting at home in the morning when the phone rang.Aunt Mel was unexpectedly calling Mom. She cried and stated that Felix had respiratory failure. He had been brought to the emergency room again.Even though I was unwilling to think that way, I guessed he did it purposefully to force me to be with him. His life was at stake, and we had no choice but to go to the hospital.It took three hours for Felix to leave the emergency room, and we felt horrible the entire time.Colin leaned against the wall. He took a cigarette from his pocket, but his hands were shaking so badly he couldn't light it for a long time.I held his hand and helped him steady the lighter's flame beneath the cigarette.Colin took a drag, leaving only half the cigarette. He then puffed smoke into the air, foll
It was as if something had suddenly pierced my heart. It stung so badly that I couldn't stand it. I leaned against the wall with difficulty and cried quietly.I never expected Aunt Mel to say such a thing after we had known each other for almost 20 years.Although she wasn't my biological mother, she should be aware of my personality and have an accurate assessment of me.Her attitude toward the incident between Felix and me led me to believe as much.However, when her son's life was in danger, she appeared to be a different person, prone to saying harsh words.I couldn't see the familiar Aunt Mel anymore. In other words, except for Colin, I was unfamiliar with the rest of the White family."Mom, don't slander Lulu. She didn't say anything. This has nothing to do with her. You can't put pressure on her.""Okay, I won't pressure her. But you must give her to your brother. Go break up with her. She'll listen to you.""Why, Mom? Why must you force me?"Colin's voice quivered. "Lu
Aunt Mel didn't return. Uncle Austin called to ask her where she was. She vaguely stated that she had something to do and asked him to take good care of Felix.Felix still didn't wake up. The doctor indicated his vital signs were normal, and he wasn't in danger for the time being. He would wake up eventually.My parents decided to take me back home. Colin accompanied me downstairs and watched as I entered the car.When Dad drove away, he remained in front of the hospital, looking at me from a distance.My parents were old, and the past few days exhausted them. As they weren't feeling well, they returned to take a shower and rest.I lay on the sofa alone. My mind was disorganized, and my head throbbed with pain.I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but I soon heard the unlocking of the door opposite. I hurriedly got up to take a look.It was Colin. He was holding a large bag and putting the keys away after opening the door.I followed him in and asked why he was back. He stat
"Mom, please shut up!" Colin wanted to protect me behind his back, but I refused.He had always protected me. Today was my turn to defend him. He loved me so much. I couldn't let him down."It's impossible. Felix and I ended our relationship a long time ago. I only love Colin right now. There is no way I can be with Felix again, and I don't want to. It has nothing to do with Colin. Don't try to force him.""Luna, you're so cruel! How could you refuse to save Felix?" Aunt Mel scowled, looking frantic."It's not that I'm cruel. You've gone too far. I'll do whatever I can, but I'm unwilling to sacrifice my happiness for Felix. I won't do that. There's no point in pressing Colin. If you want to blame someone, blame me. If you hurt him again, I'll take him away."Aunt Mel was stunned. When she saw Colin and me hugging, her expression turned gloomy."You're so heartless!" she shrieked. Her eyes rolled, and she passed out."Mom, what's wrong?" Colin let go of me and dashed over, crouch
The man in his 30s knelt beside his mother and begged, but it didn't move her the slightest or gain her attention.My heart grew cold. My intuition told me that it was going to be difficult today."Mel, get up! What are you doing? If you have trouble, we can find a solution. You don't need to do this. You are scaring Lulu." Mom took Aunt Mel's hand and attempted to help her up.Aunt Mel didn't even look at Mom. She broke free and started crying. "Lulu, please be merciful. Please save Felix. Only you can save him, please."She hugged me so tightly that I couldn't break away at all. I was exhausted.She had placed a huge burden on me, both mentally and physically."Aunt Mel, it's the doctor's job to save people. I can't do it." I managed to calm down and tried to reason with her.Unfortunately, it was a futile hope.Aunt Mel was like a gambler. She knew full well that the outcome was uncontrollable, but she persistently believed her choice was correct and refused to look back.S
Luna furiously scolded me, asserting that I didn't deserve Queenie's love and that Queenie had been blind to my true colors all those years. Driven mad by desperation, I chased after Queenie, determined to tell her I was wrong and plead for another chance to prove myself. However, the young man intervened, delivering a swift and punishing combination of punches and kicks that knocked me to the ground. Humiliated, I struggled to get up and fight back, unwilling to lose to another man.Despite his youthful appearance, the look in his eyes as he glanced at Queenie was undeniable. It was a blend of love, desire, and possessiveness only a man could understand.I was consumed by the thought that he wasn't worthy of my precious Queenie's love.Nevertheless, my body felt heavy and powerless. It was as if the strength had been drained from me. The blows rained down on me, bringing with them a strange sense of relief amidst the pain. Part of me yearned for him to kick me harder, inflict
I wanted nothing more than to run to Queenie, to hold her tightly and tell her how much I missed her during those endless days apart. I wanted to kiss her deeply and feel the warmth of her embrace. I called out, "Queenie, I'm here."Seeing me seemed to jolt Queenie from her joyous state, replacing it with a vacant expression. Mere moments before, she had been smiling brightly, her eyes aglow with happiness. Now, she appeared lost, her initial elation dissipating into a blank, unresponsive gaze.I couldn't understand why she had turned so distant upon seeing me. The love and joy that once shone in her eyes were nowhere to be found. As I observed her, I wondered if our time apart had caused her to forget. Or perhaps the events of the past had wounded her so profoundly that she had stopped waiting for me.The thoughts terrified me, and I dared not ask for fear of confirming my suspicions. All I wanted was to hold her, kiss her, and tell her how much I missed her. Yet, it seemed tha
I had no interest in Daniela's pregnancy, so I kicked her out of the house. My friends came to console me, each expressing their sympathies with a drink because they didn't know how else to comfort me.The money I had sent to Queenie's account was quickly returned as the account had been closed. Her phone number became unreachable, and when I sought her at her parents' home, I found the elderly couple waiting anxiously for their daughter's return. I lost not only Queenie but any connection to her. I grew disinterested in everything, neglecting my company and spending my days in a drunken haze.Then, my uncle came. We drank through the night as he shared tales of his hardships, the painful memories of his mother, and the years he spent alone, suffering.He said, "Everyone has their fate, Flynn. And choosing one thing often means losing another. Just as you've chosen to fight for the family business, you've sacrificed a part of yourself. But you must rise and fight me with all you'v
Queenie would then jump off the cliff, leaving me to jolt awake in a cold sweat. I endured each twilight in my hopeless vigil, counting down the days.On the 75th day, the door finally unlocked. I stepped outside and realized that this was the neighborhood where Queenie and I lived. All this time, we had been mere yards apart.My mom truly knew how to break a person's spirit. All I had to do was lift my head to see the pomegranate tree planted in our yard.I stumbled toward our home, my wounds screaming as I desperately called for Queenie. But the immaculate house stood eerily silent, echoing my footsteps like thunder.Except for Queenie, every possession remained meticulously in place—the exquisite clothes, expensive jewelry, and designer cosmetics.Queenie was gone, and the thought of losing her drove me into a frenzy.I collapsed in the middle of the room, sobbing uncontrollably. Regret consumed me. I should have never let my family's threats manipulate me and left Queenie to
I clenched my fists, barely resisting the urge to rush over to Queenie's side. All I wanted was to embrace her and whisper assurances that I would protect her, always. But I knew I had no right to do so.My dad's threat hung heavy in my mind, and the stares of Daniela and her mother bore into Queenie like daggers. One wrong move or word and those blades would descend upon Queenie, cutting her to shreds.The pain was unbearable. I felt sorry for Queenie. I was powerless and couldn't help her. With all my heart, I wished for her to stay strong and survive. She deserved better than me. Daniela's mother slapped Queenie, calling her a whore and a homewrecker, accusing her of seducing other people's boyfriends.Queenie stood rigidly, her gaze filled with humiliation. Her lips trembled, and the light in her eyes gradually faded.I winced in agony but held myself together, picking up Daniela and walking away.Countless times afterward, I berated myself for choosing to take Daniela away
We both knew the truth—neither of us could cross the chasm that had formed between our hearts.After that, I went home almost every day. We managed to maintain a semblance of normalcy in our day-to-day lives. We prepared sumptuous dinners and tended to our garden. I even considered adopting a pet to keep Queenie company while I was away.However, no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't rekindle the warmth we had once shared. Queenie hardly smiled anymore. No matter what I did to cheer her up, she would only give a half-hearted smile, her eyes remaining cold and distant.I knew something had transpired during our separation, but she refused to discuss it. My attempts to uncover the truth through private investigators were in vain. Any evidence had been meticulously erased.Eventually, I realized Queenie was simply biding her time, waiting for the moment when she would be forced to relinquish all hope and leave.A month later, my mother joyfully told me that Daniela was pregnant an
I grabbed a brush from the bathroom and scrubbed myself furiously, desperate to wash away the overwhelming sense of filth. Even as the rough bristles tore into my skin, drawing blood and causing searing pain, I felt no closer to feeling clean.My mind was consumed with thoughts of Queenie and the nearly five years we had spent together—the happy moments, the arguments, every single memory.At that moment, I realized I was terrified. Never before had I experienced such abject fear. Knowing Queenie's uncompromising stance on love and fidelity, I knew she would never forgive me once she discovered my transgression.She would undoubtedly turn and leave, heedless of any pleas I might make. I probably wouldn't even have the courage to ask for her forgiveness in the face of her justified anger.I regretted everything. If I had listened to my friends and taken Queenie away from all this, none of this would have happened. But I had hesitated. Even now, I couldn't be certain if my hesitati
Yesterday afternoon, my dad called and demanded that I make a decision within two days, or they would take action.I felt cornered because I genuinely didn't know how to talk to Queenie about this. The mere idea of her packing her belongings and leaving, accompanied by the unspeakable anguish it would inflict upon me, was a burden too heavy to bear.I wasn't sure if I could ever have a semblance of normality in my life again after that.So, I gathered some friends to drink with me. I drank heavily because I had made a decision—a disgraceful, heartless decision. The thought of what I would have to face the next day made life seem hopeless, so I drank even more.Before losing consciousness, I handed my car keys to my assistant, using my last bit of clarity to tell him to take me home no matter what state I was in.Even if it meant returning to the Hayes family's residence, he should not leave me out on the streets. Despite the imminent breakup, I wanted to part ways with Queenie in
My mom proved to be even more ruthless than my dad. She found me, dropped to her knees without a word, and begged me. She reminded me of the years they had spent raising me, pleading that I ensure they wouldn't be left without a sense of security in their old age.In essence, they were pressuring me to abandon everything. I was to pursue money and power for their sake, secure the Hayes family's head position, and ensure our grip on wealth and influence. Their priority was maintaining their luxurious, elevated lifestyle. My happiness, my desires—whether I even wanted those things—meant nothing to them. Sometimes, it felt like I was nothing more than a tool for achieving their ambitions.My dad told me bluntly that he would go after Queenie if I didn't comply. He said, "You're right. I'm incapable of outmaneuvering your uncle. But no matter how incompetent I am, I can easily make Queenie's life in Harveyton unbearable."To be honest, that day was the coldest my heart had ever felt