Colin had been exercising all year round. So, his muscle lines were perfect, especially his abdominal muscles, which were nice to touch.I felt his scorching skin and shrank, subconsciously wanting to withdraw my hand. As a result, I was too weak to do so despite struggling.I finally understood why some people claimed that men in the early morning were untouchable."Baby, I miss you so much. I almost went crazy," Colin said hoarsely. His voice was so pleasant to hear that my heart raced."What are you doing? Let me go," I complained lowly, struggling to withdraw my hand.However, his strength was beyond me, not to mention what he intended to do with me. It was tough for me to take back my hand."Be good, baby. Help me. I've been waiting for you for so long. You should reward me with something. Kiss me, baby." Colin panted, his breath hot.My blood instantly heated. I forgot I initially wanted to deal with him. I felt drunk under his passionate kiss and gradually became engrosse
I soon opened my phone and noticed a message from Colin at 9:30 am.He informed me that he suddenly had urgent matters to deal with in the next city. He expected to be back before 9:00 pm. So, he asked me to dine alone. He also reminded me not to eat with Winston, revealing his jealousy.Okay then. It seemed like his career was more important. I would have lunch by myself.After walking out of the old campus, I called Queenie and intended to ask her if she wanted to join me.As a result, I failed to reach her. She seemed to be on a call with someone else. I had no choice but to put my phone aside and go to the cafeteria for lunch.When I was on my way to the cafeteria, I noticed many students carrying large luggage throughout the college. Many youngsters with bright smiles were walking back and forth excitedly.The semester would officially start on September 1st, and freshmen would register on August 27th. I smacked my forehead and chuckled. I was so concentrated on painting t
Lilac was as tearful as ever. She didn't seem to come here to admit her mistakes but rather to express her grievances to her beloved man.It was a pity that Felix had gone through a lot. He must have seen through everything. As he had no expectations for her for a long time, he was calm when he faced her.Unexpectedly, as a top student who was out of reach back then, he ruined himself by being blind in his relationship and falling for the wrong person.I had nothing to say to them. So, I apologized for disturbing them and returned to the original path, ignoring their gazes from behind me.I had been having a nice time lately, which made me forget there were still two annoying people in my world.I felt unlucky to have met them. I couldn't help but blame myself for strolling during my break. Nothing would have happened if I had found somewhere to rest.I lost interest in walking around and returned to Crystal House to continue painting.At around 3:00 pm, Colin told me he hadn't
When Felix saw me, he lifted an eyebrow and asked coolly, "Can we talk?"Was he here to cause me trouble?Well, that was normal. Felix met his ex-girlfriend who betrayed him, but I happened to see that scene. I witnessed all of his embarrassing and painful moments. He might feel uncomfortable and intend to blame me.I'd better take the initiative to admit my mistake. After all, it was my fault for ruining their secret meeting."I don't think we need to talk. I apologize for what happened at noon. That was a misunderstanding, and I didn't mean to run into you. If I had known you would be there, I would never have chosen that path. I promise I'll stay away from you in the future."I was a little angry. To be precise, I was condemning his deeds.After Felix apologized to me last time, I forgave him and decided to let go of the past. I treated him as my ordinary friend.Mom always taught me that everyone would make mistakes. As long as it wasn't an irreparable mistake, I could choos
I didn't believe Felix.However, humans were always strange. Even though I told myself I must trust Colin, I couldn't stop overthinking it.There was a saying that women always overthought. I believed it to be true. Once I sincerely loved a man, I would become sentimental and suspicious.However, Colin wouldn't speak with a forked tongue. I wouldn't believe misinformation from others, especially Felix. I couldn't trust him.Even if I were curious about Colin's whereabouts, I would ask him instead of guessing. I couldn't cause an irreversible misunderstanding.Suddenly, I heard someone call my name from behind. I turned around and saw Andrew. He patted my shoulder with his book. "What are you thinking about? I called you several times, but you didn't answer."I then realized I had unwittingly arrived at the college gate.We went to the supermarket to buy ingredients before heading home.Queenie was busy in the kitchen. The pumpkin soup smelled fragrant as it boiled. She had slic
When I answered the phone, I heard Colin's deep and steady voice, which made my ears hot."Hello, Colin," I greeted him sweetly."Hello, baby. Have you gone home?" His voice sounded like a subwoofer."Yes, I have. Have you eaten?""Not yet. I have some things to do later. I'll go out to dine after that."We talked for about five minutes. I could vaguely hear the sound of the number-calling machine on the other end of the phone. I was curious about where Colin was.I decided to ask him before the call ended. It was only a question, and Colin would give me the answer.However, I'd always thought that asking was a distrust of him and a blasphemy against our relationship.After much thought, I decided to trust him.Colin stated that Flynn's engagement ceremony was postponed because he was severely ill and almost died. Fortunately, he was rescued.He had no idea what illness Flynn had or how he got it. I didn't ask for the details as well.Flynn was no longer involved with us. Fu
Colin grabbed my hand and kissed it with passion and desire. As he was too exhausted, he didn't do anything further."If you're tired, go home and take a nap. You don't have to accompany me.""It's inconvenient.""Inconvenient?" I asked him in confusion.He stroked my face and said nothing. He only gave me a wry, charming smile.After thinking for a while, I realized that Aunt Laura was most likely not at home. Andrew had something to do at college and couldn't return on time. So, Colin found it inconvenient to be alone with Queenie.She would live her own life in the future. For her happiness, we should give her and Andrew space to get along.Colin and I had been dating for a long time, but we'd always had troubles. Until now, we had only spent a few days together.I couldn't help but recall what he suggested that day about finding a new house. Initially, I assumed it was unnecessary. Now that I thought about it, living somewhere else would be more convenient for us."We can
I never thought Queenie would feel inferior due to her failed relationship and abortion. The reason she rejected Andrew was most likely her fear of his prestigious family.Flynn, who came from a prestigious family, hurt her so thoroughly. Andrew's family background was far higher than that of the Hayes family. She might think that as the daughter of an ordinary family, she couldn't integrate into his.Overall, she lacked confidence in her future with Andrew. She'd been dating Flynn for five years, but things had ended horribly. Not to mention Andrew, who was three years younger than her and from a wealthier family.She appeared soft yet was firm. Ever since she came out of her relationship with Flynn, she had closed herself off.She didn't want to get hurt again, so she didn't dare to start a new relationship.Andrew stroked her hair helplessly. He smiled lovingly and told her to forget about persuading him. It was his business to pursue her anyway. She was only responsible for en
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