Xavier looked embarrassed and chuckled awkwardly to cover it up. "Please pay attention to the word 'seriously.' What I mean is officially pursuing someone with the intention of getting married to her, not some puppy love."I shrugged while holding a highly disapproving and doubtful attitude toward his words. At the same time, I made it clear where I stood in regard to his proposition."Sorry, I have a boyfriend, and we have a stable relationship. So, I have no intention of changing that. Plus, I've always been a faithful person when it comes to matters of the heart. Unless Colin explicitly told me he doesn't want me anymore, no one can separate me from him, including the son of the Kings."He was unwilling to accept this and circled around me. "Are you serious? What's so great about Mr. White? He's old-fashioned, so he's totally not the right person for you. Living with him would feel suffocating sooner or later. "But look at me! I'm young, handsome, wealthy, and caring. I have ev
What did she want to do by telling such a huge lie?"Just speak your mind," the male voice sounded slightly impatient."You want Luna and I want Colin, so why don't we… work together?""Oh?" Xavier chuckled lightly. "That guy's always so stiff and cold, always so serious. How could so many women fall for him? Are they blind?"Jasmine remained silent."I wonder what kind of collaboration you have in mind? Are you planning to drug Colin and sleep with him, or get Luna drunk so I can climb into her bed?""Haha, you're indeed intelligent. While this method lacks originality, it's quite effective. If we drug them both, won't it be a win-win situation? We'll both get what we want."Jasmine was truly cunning. I wanted to rush out and curse her to death, exposing her hypocrisy. She was saying one thing to my face and another behind my back.Suppressing my anger, I stayed put. I wanted to see what else she had to say, and more importantly, what choice Xavier would make when he was faced
"Are you afraid?" Jasmine raised her eyebrows provocatively, challenging me.I shook my head. She clearly didn't understand love.Colin's heart and mine were firmly tied together, so no one could tear us apart. What was there to be afraid of?"Jasmine, if you're really that confident, why do you have to use such dirty tricks? I'm an adult. There's no use trying to goad me. But there is something I have to say whether you like it or not. Would you like to know?""Just say it," Jasmine said coldly, her face full of anger. It was as if someone owed her a great debt."Your family background, appearance, education, and experience are all excellent, Jasmine. But you don't seem to understand that not everything can be forced. "Colin and I have a deep bond that started more than 20 years ago. Even if the person he ends up marrying isn't me, it definitely won't be you. So, I'd advise you not to waste your efforts. "There are so many people in this vast world. Why do you have to make yo
Colin furrowed his brows in thought for a moment. Then, he took my hand and led me out of the garden."No matter what happens, I won't violate my principles. I know what to do. So, leave everything to me. Don't worry."After a while, Xavier bounced over to us again and said that the present Colin gave him could only represent Colin. So, I had to give him a separate present.Using his height and strength as an advantage, Colin pushed Xavier's head away. He said that he and I were a couple, so there was no need for me to give Xavier a separate present. Then, he told Xavier to stop daydreaming and to get lost.But Xavier started jumping around like a monkey again. He was just like a little kid throwing a tantrum at me.After the party, Colin and I said goodbye to the professor and his wife. We planned to go to the supermarket to buy some daily necessities before heading home.November in Jinovy was quite cold. We had to wear windbreakers or wool coats although I preferred a warm and
"First, let's find out about the situation before we do anything. It's better for two people to solve their matters together. It's not good for outsiders to meddle in their relationship.""Zara is my best friend. How could I stand by and watch? If I turn a blind eye after seeing them with my own eyes, how could I still be worthy of being her best friend? Colin, you can't let me become a heartless person."Colin chuckled and tapped my forehead. "Nonsense. What I meant is that you should first find out whether Zara and Chris have broken up. If they have, then what he did is normal. But if they haven't broken up, then it's a different story, right?"I pondered for a while. Indeed, it would be better to confirm with Zara before doing anything.Colin and I had walked quite a distance before I turned back to look again. Their passionate kiss had ended, and they were now gazing lovingly at each other. Their eyes were filled with affection. Then, Chris said something that made the woman sm
It was a beautiful house with a garden where we had a clear view of the blue sky as well as the tall trees and green fields around. A gentle breeze through the garden created a beautiful scenery.The layout of the house consisted of three bedrooms and two living rooms. It had plain wallpaper and warm-colored floors, a simple style that I liked. The window screens were light blue in color. The wind chimes tinkled softly as the gentle autumn breeze blew. It created a pleasant sound that resonated in my heart.Everything felt like the most beautiful dream. A warm feeling surged from my heart as I covered my mouth in surprise and tears formed in my eyes.I had longed for a future where we could have a house of our own, a warm house where we could spend every day together, supporting each other throughout our lives.Colin had mentioned this some time ago, and I had even imagined how we would decorate our house, where I would hang my paintings, and what background we would choose for t
"Is everything really okay?" I asked Colin with bright eyes.He looked at me dotingly with a smile. "Everything is okay as long as it's what you want. But I have a small condition. I wonder if you'll agree to it.""What is it?""I hope you can fill up your notebook with little red flowers. I've been waiting anxiously for that to happen. Please have mercy on your future husband, darling. Don't make me worry about that every day, okay?"Why was he discussing this trivial matter with such a serious attitude and tone? It wasn't quite appropriate.I awkwardly gripped the hem of my clothes, not daring to lift my head to meet his gaze.Colin, however, changed from his elegant self to become like a big golden retriever. He nuzzled and coaxed me. "Come on, darling. Please say yes. I can't wait to become your husband. Pretty please."That was filled up long ago, silly.I raised my head to look into his pleading and hopeful eyes. Then, I saw myself nodding shyly in his bright eyes that we
Colin retorted the professor with a dark expression, "I'm entrusting her to you. Take good care of her. If she loses weight, you'll owe me ten thousand for every pound she loses.""Don't worry, I'll have Xavier take care of her. I guarantee she'll only gain weight and not lose any." The professor smirked with a mischievous grin.I could only sigh and rub my temples.How could the professor still be so childish? Now I understood why Xavier was tagging along. It seemed that he had gotten a personal recommendation from his father.But would he really join us? Why wasn't I informed earlier? If I had known in advance, I would have refused this trip. I didn't want to have anything to do with him.When it came to verbal sparring, how could Colin possibly be a match for the sly professor?I could only signal to Colin with my eyes, urging him to go back and stop looking for trouble. The old man was just trying to provoke him."What? Xavier's going too? Why didn't I know about this?" Coli
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