"Get lost, Lulu. You can't go a day without stirring up trouble, can you? I don't have the energy to deal with you. Get lost." Queenie clenched her fists tightly and cursed at me with a grimace.From her expression, I knew she disagreed with my words. Or perhaps she wanted to mask her gradually softening heart behind her dissatisfaction.Since she wanted me to leave, then so be it. I'd just get lost and leave space for them to nurture their relationship.After having a tiff with Queenie and giving Jasmine a good scolding, I let out a lot of pent-up frustration. My mood suddenly became much brighter. It seemed that swearing at people could make one feel healthier.I initially thought that with the college backing us up and professors supporting us, things would naturally progress favorably, and no one would disrupt my relationship with Colin. After all, we had support and weren't fighting alone.However, reality proved me wrong. I underestimated how far Jasmine would go to get what
Nowadays, not only was Jasmine Colin's savior, but she was also his partner in the college collaboration and a prestigious client of his. If she was displeased, it could mean trouble for the entire team.This was the first major project Colin had taken on since joining Jesselton College as a lecturer. Any mishap in the project could greatly affect Colin. If Jasmine pulled any more dirty tricks, Colin could find himself blacklisted from the industry.No matter how jealous I might feel, I still understood the urgency and importance of the situation. I should tolerate it for Colin's sake, as long as she didn't go too far.Colin reluctantly answered the call. The next moment, Jasmine's heavily made-up face appeared on the screen.I was utterly speechless.She had dolled herself up so intricately in the middle of the night just to impress Colin. Her intention was evident, and it was somewhat distasteful. I couldn't believe she was so invested in seducing a taken man.I pulled a disple
The term clothing covered a wide range of items—underwear, socks, and pajamas—all were to be included.Jasmine implied that Colin didn't even need to prepare underwear as she had already taken care of it. Who gave her the authority to prepare underwear for someone else's boyfriend?I wondered if she even knew Colin's size. I hadn't even bought him something so intimate yet. Was Jasmine going to take on the role of buying underwear for Colin?That went beyond mere audacity. She was utterly shameless. With that thought in mind, I was on the verge of losing it.Jasmine seemed to not understand my point, or perhaps she didn't care about what I meant. She simply nodded as if it were nothing. "Of course, partners of the Taylor Group are esteemed, so such treatment isn't unusual."Her explanation seemed a bit stretched. Did the Taylor Group really provide underwear for every business partner? It seemed bizarre just thinking about it. I wondered how many families the Taylor Group had ruin
At that moment, I felt utterly powerless.Meanwhile, Colin was in the same predicament as well. He reluctantly agreed to this urgent assignment since he couldn't refuse Jasmine's and the college's demands.With Jasmine being the client, no matter how furious or indignant he was, he couldn't let his personal feelings affect their collaboration.If he were to refuse, it wouldn't only cause significant financial losses for the college but also thrust Colin into the public eye, potentially tarnishing his reputation as a lecturer at Jesselton College and within the industry. After that, Colin initiated another video call with Jasmine. At that moment, his overall presence exuded an air of coldness and aloofness, completely unlike his usual self. "The college has already informed me about the urgent business trip. I'll handle my own packing. As for you, Ms. Jasmine, considering your distinguished status, I suggest that you bring along a personal assistant." After receiving the call f
Colin gazed at the pile on the floor, massaged his temples between chuckles and sighs, and took matters into his own hands by sorting through the items. In the end, he managed to fit everything into half of the baggage.I eyed the dozen of underwear that had been placed on the couch, and seizing the opportunity while Colin wasn't looking, I discreetly stuffed it into the bottom of his baggage. When he returned from washing his hands, Colin noticed my covert actions. He chuckled as he affectionately ruffled my hair and then closed the lid of his baggage.Colin had always been both understanding and indulgent toward me."What's so funny? I'm being serious here. If you need anything, buy it yourself or tell me to send it over to you. Whatever you do, don't wear anything she packed for you, especially—" My voice faltered, and I couldn't bring myself to utter the word "underwear" as it sounded somewhat too intimate.Despite sleeping together for so long, Colin and I have only ever s
After saying that, Colin personally opened the front passenger door and settled into the seat.While it was a seemingly insignificant action, Colin's behavior spoke volumes and instilled an unwavering sense of security in me.Perhaps accustomed to Colin's rejections, Jasmine remained unfazed, sitting upright with a practiced smile plastered on her face. A hint of smugness flickered beneath the surface, subtle yet undeniable.After all, she had successfully whisked him away for the business trip, so why let trivial matters dampen her spirits?As the sedan moved forward, I stood by the roadside, waving incessantly. Although I was already prepared for it, when the moment of parting finally arrived, I found myself at a loss for words. I could only watch with a bittersweet smile as my beloved drove away into the distance.Colin lowered the car window, extended his arm outside the sedan, and waved. As he waved, his eyes were filled with affection, and his face radiated a gentle smile
With my left hand holding the phone, I opened the camera app, raised my right hand to my cheek, and flashed a peace sign. With a click of the shutter, I captured my freshly showered, makeup-free face and sent the photo to Colin.In a flash, he replied with an emoji with heart eyes popping out and drool hanging from the corners of its mouth. "Are you trying to seduce me, you cheeky rascal?"Although Colin sounded so sleazy, I found it quite charming."Oh, weren't you the one asking me if I was asleep? I was just letting you know that I'm going to sleep now."As I sent that, I playfully stuck out my tongue to look cute, but then I realized that I was facing my phone screen, not Colin's burning gaze. With that realization, my shoulders slumped in disappointment. My playful expression was all for naught.Before boarding, Colin sent me another message, telling me he would turn off his phone. Moreover, he also told me that his destination for the business trip was Lagado.When I saw
Seeing Jasmine's effort, I decided to screenshot the post and save it in my gallery.Due to her current status, it was inappropriate for me to comment on her post directly. Despite that, I still couldn't let it slide, so I followed suit and posted a new photo on my Instagram. It was a selfie of Colin and I holding hands while walking on campus, with the caption, "Colin told me that once you fall in love, it's for a lifetime. I'm so lucky to have him in my life!"Since she pettily made it so that I could only see her post, I decided to be the bigger person and let everyone see my post. Despite knowing that she wouldn't see the post during her flight, I couldn't resist picturing her gnashing her teeth in anger upon seeing it, and I reveled in the satisfaction for a while.It turned out that fighting with a scheming temptress like her could be so much fun!I was about to call it a night, but Jasmine's post effectively roused me from my sleepy state. It was really boring living alo
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