"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
Wanted to control me the moment we met? Dreamed on. I wasn't her typical accommodating boyfriend."I'm tired," I said, not even glancing at Lilac.Given what she had done in the past, it was already quite generous of me to have gone and picked her up.And now she expected me to cater to her? No way.She watched me as I got into the car emotionlessly and left her standing there, her anger palpable. I pretended not to notice and continued to ignore her.In the end, she had to load her suitcases into the taxi's trunk herself.I couldn't help but wonder why she had brought three massive suitcases for a mere one-month exchange program. After all, she wasn't even staying permanently at the Marlmiwi.It made me question the necessity of carrying so many suitcases, especially when Felix wasn't even present to see her all dressed up.Later, I discovered that I had overthought the situation, and there were indeed people who paid attention to her outfits."Luna, you've been here for ov
Lilac was vain and cared a lot about her image. Her expression shifted as she listened to my words. She deviated from her usual gentle and delicate demeanor that she always put on in front of Felix. Instead, she grew frustrated visibly, her eyes practically blazing with anger."Luna Lawson! I'll tell Felix if you don't treat me," she threatened."Go ahead. Tell anyone you want. Tell the world if you can."A chorus of laughter erupted from the onlookers, clearly relishing in the fact that I was refusing to compromise with Lilac.It turned out they were just a bunch of fake sororities.Lilac seethed with anger as she dialed a number on her phone. Felix picked up the call just as she put it on speaker, ensuring that everyone could listen to their conversation."Felix." Lilac's voice maintained its usual sweetness, though there was a hint of grievance. "I've just arrived at the school and wanted to let you know.""Are you okay? You sound a bit hoarse. Do you have a cold?""It's n
I had just finished preparing the competition draft, and it turned out even better than expected.I was quite satisfied with it and was about to show it to Colin when my phone rang."Colin, I was just about to call you. The draft is ready. Do you want to take a look?" I asked."It seems that we think alike, Lulu," he remarked, his voice carrying a touch of charm, much like the comforting warmth of nighttime light.I pursed my lips, pondering why Colin appeared somewhat flirtatious.But no, that couldn't be right.He had watched me grow up and had always treated me like a sister. I had to be overthinking."So, Colin, why are you calling me so late?" I asked."Do you want to take on a project? It's a great opportunity," he said."Do tell me, but I'm not sure if I can do it.""A classmate of mine is looking to create a photo album to commemorate his grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. "He intends to capture their decades of memories and present them to his grandparents on
Following the sound, I slowed my steps and stealthily moved closer. I felt relieved that I had opted to wear these shoes today. Otherwise, had they noticed me, I might have risked losing a tooth or two.To the right of the rose-covered wall was a sunken flower corridor extending about ten yards in depth. It led to an unused small room at the end, rumored to serve as a storage space for the agricultural economics department.At the far end of the corridor, I noticed two individuals hidden from view, locked in a tight and passionate embrace.The man's hands wandered while the woman tugged at the hem of his shirt. The atmosphere was intensely heated to the point of warming the cool autumn night air.The lights at the research institute were still on, providing dim illumination. As I finally laid eyes on the person, I was so shocked that I felt a chill down my spine, and I had to stifle a scream.It was actually Lilac!She was in a passionate embrace with a male classmate wearing a
"Impressive! Lulu, you're really a genius! How did you come up with such a wonderful concept?" Colin said.I grinned with pride, and Colin gazed at me with admiration in his eyes. "You've always been outstanding."I was so outstanding. I had put in more effort than anyone else to gain that person's attention. Why could Colin see it, but Felix never seemed to take notice?In the end, it was all because Felix didn't care.It was nearly 11:00 pm by the time we finished our discussion. The campus had grown quiet as it neared lights-out time. The research institute was far from my department, yet Colin insisted on accompanying me back, opting for the path alongside the rose-covered wall.As we passed the flowered corridor, I pretended to casually glance around, searching for the passionate couple. Unfortunately, they had already left."Lulu, why were you acting so sneaky tonight? Is there something you're keeping from me?" Colin asked.I rolled my eyes at Colin and then playfully j
In such a vast campus with so many people, it was amazing how he and I always seemed to bump into each other in some unexpected corner.It was magical!Colin's sudden appearance triggered an idea in my mind. As he noticed the spark in my eyes, he instinctively took a half step back, looking defensive. "What's on your mind?" he asked cautiously.I cast him a sly grin, entertained by his feigned vulnerability despite his towering strength."Colin, do you know any private detectives? I need you to introduce me to one," I whispered suggestively.Colin firmly grasped my collar, holding me in place.His intense gaze locked onto mine, ensuring I wasn't joking before he inquired, "Who do you want to investigate?"I hesitated briefly before saying, "Well, we had some exchange students from Jesselton College last week. And there was a girl among them who seemed strangely familiar to me. I'd like to find out who she is.""Is that all?" Colin narrowed his eyes on me.I couldn't help but
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