When we arrived at the airport and got out of the car, Colin's video call suddenly came in. Without much thought, I walked aside to answer.Speaking of Colin, he truly lived up to being amazing and talented. However, there was one habit of his that I didn't understand. He rarely called for matters and always preferred video calls.I once asked him why, and he said video calls have a loud ringtone, making them less likely to be missed.It turned out that the institute was organizing a competition in collaboration with several prestigious schools. Renowned classical painters would serve as judges, and schools could form teams to participate. Colin asked if I wanted to join so he could team up with me.To be somewhat precise, I came from a literary family. My dad was a high school English teacher. If not for my mom's restraint, he could spend all day reciting poems at home for me and Mom.My mom worked in interior design. According to my dad, she was a rare talent in her youth. I
Although Felix claimed to be concerned about me getting hurt, he had already left me completely battered. Felix's half-hearted concern was quite despicable.I deleted his messages one by one and replied, "Don't worry. I've arrived."Felix almost instantly responded and sent several lengthy voice messages on WhatsApp.I ignored them and put my phone back in my backpack. To me, his belated concern was as worthless as grass.Colin was waiting for me in front of a black SUV, his handsome face adorned with a smile and his tall figure exuding charm. He looked mature and composed in a white shirt with subtle patterns and dark trousers.His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he strode over to grab my suitcase. His large hands ruffled my hair vigorously. "Long time no see, Lulu, you've grown taller."I shyly shrunk my neck and lifted my head to look up at him. "Colin, you became even more handsome.""It was an honor to be praised by you." He laughed heartily, stowed the suitcase in the
He lowered his gaze and said something to the guy at his table before striding toward me.Colin was indeed tall, and his imposing figure was something I hadn't noticed before.Felix, on the contrary, wasn't short. He stood over six feet tall and had a handsome appearance. He was elegant, slender, and fair-skinned. He usually kept to himself and carried a distant demeanor, making him seemingly out of reach for everyone.However, Colin had broad shoulders and a robust physique. Even in a shirt, one could see his well-defined muscular lines beneath.His thick eyebrows and distinctive features provided a strong sense of security. To be frank, he was a rugged man that any girl would want to rely on.He was really tall, around six feet and three inches. At five feet and seven inches, plus a slight slope, I barely even reached his shoulders."I was just about to welcome you," Colin said with a smile."Colin, did you grow taller again? You're so tall." I regretted the words as soon as t
I might have missed out on many beautiful moments because of Felix."Stop the nonsense. If you scare her away, it's your responsibility to bring her back."Colin was diligently peeling shrimp for me when he said this. After peeling one, he placed it on my small plate. Every time I ate one, Colin would smile gently at me.Colin was always so tender toward me. He had been like this since I was a child. He never restricted his friends from chatting with me, but he always kept an eye on my emotions. If there was anything that might make me uncomfortable, he would promptly intervene.He knew what I liked and disliked. He consistently included dishes I favored but felt too bashful to request at home.Despite the jokes, his classmates were very caring toward me. Laughter filled the dining table, dispersing the tension I initially felt.I always felt relaxed and at ease whenever I was with Colin. In short, I thoroughly enjoyed this meal.When we left, it was raining outside. In Se
Life was monotonous, yet not devoid of charm. The unsettling emotions from the summer gradually eased over time. Even during moments of leisure, thoughts of Felix would cross my mind. I would find myself retracing the 19 years we spent together, recalling the silent affection I harbored for him.However, it remained mere contemplation.Each reflection brought a bitter tinge, a profound sadness that I forced myself not to dwell on. I convinced myself that we were just neighbors, nothing more.I believed that my fondness for him would diminish with each passing day, and I would eventually feel better.Meanwhile, Colin continued to feed me as a daily ritual. No matter where I was or what I was doing, he would promptly arrive to whisk me away for a meal.Over time, I grew familiar with Colin's friends, and due to his influence, they all affectionately referred to me as Lulu. In Colin's absence, each of them took turns caring for me.I felt a sense of ease and comfort with Colin by
So, Lilac was coming over, and I was supposed to look after her. Juggling my own responsibilities was challenging enough. Did I need to add looking after her to the mix? Did she have a disability, or was she just clueless?I grew up pampered by my parents until high school. Even my socks were handled by my mom. But when I went to college, no one took care of me. I learned to do everything on my own, and things went well.Why couldn't Lilac do the same?Truth be told, I was reluctant to agree, no matter the reason.I had reservations about Lilac. She always appeared overly calculating and scheming. I was afraid I might unintentionally fall into one of her schemes. Moreover, with my focus on the competition, I was drained every day. If it weren't for Colin, I might not even be eating well. I really didn't have the extra energy to take care of his girlfriend.To be blunt, I didn't have that obligation to take care of Lilac for him."Please, Lulu? It would mean a lot," he asked me
"She's your brother's girlfriend and will be part of your family in the future. Don't tell me you don't know," I said with a dismissive snort, not believing him for a second.Colin picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth and set it down, his eyes shimmering with an unreadable light. "Don't joke about this. You and Felix have been betrothed since childhood. He could never have another girlfriend in his life. Lilac Hawthorn, what a tacky name."I looked at Colin's innocent face, suddenly at a loss for words. He never bothered with lies. He genuinely didn't know about Felix and Lilac's relationship.The idea that Felix and I were bound to be together for life had been deeply embedded in the minds of everyone who knew us.It was like that time during our senior year in high school when I stood at the front of the classroom, explaining that Felix and I were merely neighbors. However, no one would believe our journey had already reached its end.More precisely, Felix and I never even sta
"I've been busy with my studies and haven't paid much attention to family matters for the past two years. I wasn't here for you during your most difficult moments, and I'm deeply sorry for that, Lulu," Colin slowly said, his voice carrying a deep sense of guilt."Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault," I replied."Lulu, you must have been heartbroken. Felix is such a jerk," Colin said, his gaze filled with sympathy but as tender as sun-smitten dew."I'm much better now, not as distressed as before." Time had elapsed since those difficult days, and although it had been incredibly challenging, I was slowly feeling more at ease."Good, Lulu. You're such a good girl. Would you like to talk to me about it? I can be your best listener."I sniffed and glanced at my phone, realizing there was only half an hour left until class, which wasn't enough time. Furthermore, I had no desire to delve into those painful memories. Doing so would mean reliving them, and I had no intention o
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