"Zara, I'm leading a team in a competition and we're on the way to Denville. I heard that it's quite pretty there. How about a spontaneous trip?"She seemed to be waiting for my message as she replied instantly, "I have a colleague who's from Denville. She said there's a place where the air is especially fresh during this season. Unfortunately, I can't take any leave now.""Let me go and take a look to see if it's as good as your colleague said. If it's good, then we can invite Jade along and have a great six-person holiday.""Six people?""Yes. You, me, Jade, and our partners. Isn't that six people? I'm bad at math, but I'm pretty good with addition and subtraction within the first ten numbers. Hmm, how about during the winter vacation?"It became silent for the next five minutes.The screen kept showing that Zara was typing, but there was no reply.My heart started sinking.It was as if I could see her sad face.Colin was right. Zara probably knew about Chris' affair. At lea
The part he mentioned about starting anew wasn't wrong. However, it was quite amusing for him to call Chris a "scumbag." But about the "better men," who was Winston referring to?His eyes were huge and bulging when I glanced at him. I wondered if he possibly meant himself. But thinking about it, I figured that it wasn't likely since he wasn't that close to Chris.Winston was my junior, Zara was my childhood friend, and Chris was the irrelevant one. I just found out that Chris was a scumbag a few days ago, but Winston could just describe him accurately.How did he know Chris was a scumbag?Moreover, he seemed to be quite angry. I also sensed another different emotion in him, but I couldn't put my finger on it.This was about Zara's breakup. It had nothing to do with him. Why was he getting emotional about it?"Are you nuts?" Why did he send the message on my behalf without permission?"It's not me but you girls who are nuts. Why are you idolizing trash like him? Hmph!" With a col
After trying for some time, I finally managed to pull myself out of the professor's grip. Then, I tried to explain, "Professor, I need to find Winston…""I don't care what you need him for. The preliminaries are starting tomorrow. So, we need to have simulations this afternoon. I won't allow anyone to affect the participants' mood for any reason until the competition is over.""I'm not trying to affect him, I just…""No. Go to the hotel front desk to get the rooms ready. Do it now! Just focus on your own tasks and don't meddle in anything else."Alright, I couldn't do anything else with his authoritarian tone.I shot Winston a fierce glare before reluctantly going to the front desk.As the professor was leading this team personally, everything had to be well-arranged. Even though I was supposed to be a tutor, I was mainly running errands, acting as a mediator, and making sure that the professor was in good health so that he could return safely to see his wife.During our week-lo
I could hear their complaints and criticism of the organizers' bizarre plans, as well as sounds of chewing as they greedily ate the food. The atmosphere became even more lively as they drank through the evening.The students were all enthusiastically sharing their experiences with each other.The professor had left earlier due to exhaustion. He instructed me to look after the students before he left.Watching them laugh and chat so animatedly, I couldn't help but lament that I might be getting old. Looking at their youthfulness and exuberance, I felt a little out of place.I didn't like to eat meat at night as it made it difficult for me to fall asleep. So, I only grilled a small plate of vegetables and dipped them in a sauce that I made. I was eating them absentmindedly.Even though I followed Colin's recipe for the sauce, the taste and texture couldn't be compared to what he made for me. Things were just not the same without him around. Even the taste of the food wasn't quite ri
It was too late to stop Colin."I don't want to sleep alone."I wished I could find a hole to hide in. Why did he have to be so direct? Did he not want his reputation anymore?"Go home, okay? I'm going to hang up now.""I want to sleep with you. Baby, please come back quickly. My head hurts, and I can't sleep. I want you to give me a massage."Colin was pouting and looking at me with grievance as his sparkling eyes turned red.A drunk Colin was the total opposite of his usual self. He was usually like a wolf but would turn into a lamb when he was drunk. What was next after asking for a massage? A kiss?I begged he wouldn't. It was already embarrassing enough. It couldn't get any worse."Colin, go home and sleep right now. If you really can't sleep, call the police."I was startled by the sudden voice and couldn't understand the words said. What did calling the police have anything to do with going to sleep? Also, who dared to reprimand Colin like this?Oh, it was the profes
Colin smiled and nodded at the others behind me. This made them cheer even louder.How could I face them after this? I tried to get down from Colin, but he just held me tightly in his warm embrace."Darling, stop squirming around. Be good. We'll go home now." He was breathing heavily, and his warm breath almost scorched my skin."My bag." I was hanging onto him like a koala. Many passersby were staring at us curiously, whispering among themselves. This made me too embarrassed to lift my head while I struggled to get down.But Colin just held me tighter, firmly holding me in place. It was impossible for me to move."Someone will take care of it. You don't have to worry about it." He turned and took large strides to leave. It was as if we were escaping from something.I looked back and saw Winston standing there with a dark expression. He could only take my luggage along with his and kick mine with some dissatisfaction.I wanted to shout back at him to not mishandle my expensive l
Hot kisses came onto me as Colin brutally devoured me.His familiar scent made my heart tremble as it lingered on the tip of my nose. My heart was beating violently like the beating of war drums.Colin's large hand cupped the back of my head, keeping it in place so that he could continue to kiss me with his warm lips. His movements were frenzy and manic.The gentle, calm, and composed Mr. White was now fierce like a beast that had been hungry for thousands of years. Once released, he was invincible.His other hand had found its way into the back hem of my sweater and kept moving upward. His slender fingers were slightly cold and gently massaging the delicate skin of my waist. I felt something strange and alluring wherever his hand touched.I was dazed and dizzy. It felt like someone was telling me in the back of my mind that I would lose my virginity today!"Darling, is this okay? I want you, please," Colin murmured against my forehead. There was extreme joy and suppressed pain i
Colin's expression turned dark in an instant. He glared fiercely at the still-ringing phone, his expression resembling that of a stone statue. He was clenching his teeth so tightly that the muscles of his cheeks were visible.His right hand clenched into a tight fist, veins bulging.He felt angry, put off, and helpless!The passion and desire in his eyes gradually diminished, making the rage even stronger. It was so strong that it made his body tremble.It was not good for the body to get so angry. So, I patted his shoulder to soothe him despite my dizziness. But he shrugged me off and said, "Don't touch me for now. Let me calm down."I could only stop my actions."Why aren't you answering the call? Who is it?" I asked him after regaining my senses.As my skin was exposed to the slightly cold air, I felt goosebumps all over my body. Shivering, I pulled a piece of cloth over myself. My breathing was slightly heavy.I was still a little dizzy and was sweating all over. My rapid h
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