I had turned on live location sharing. If he wanted to meet me, he'd be able to find me. I placed myself in a location where he could easily spot me. Once he did, his bright eyes would lock onto mine, and he'd flash me a delighted smile.What I needed to do was just to stay put and wait for a miracle to happen.I had a nagging feeling that he would appear. It was my birthday, and we had a promise—he said he wouldn't miss a single one of them.I didn't know how long I sat waiting. My eyes were dry and tired from staring at the door. The sky grew dark, and Colin still hadn't shown up.I felt upset and disappointed. I remembered his promise like it was yesterday, but it seemed like he was breaking it this year.I took out my phone. My parents had each sent me a message wishing me a happy birthday. Zara and Queenie did the same. I even received a lengthy message from Winston, but I ignored it.Hannah sent me an angry emoji before following up with a "Happy birthday". Then, she remind
The bigwigs started to take me seriously after hearing Professor King's praise and the Tudor style's undeniable impact. They each praised me for my accomplishments at such a young age. It was astonishing for them—how the young generation was surpassing the older one.Of course, I didn't take their praise at face value. Every word they said was influenced by the professor's standing. Professor King asked me to show respect to the seniors present by toasting each of them individually. I wasn't feeling particularly happy and didn't feel like drinking. But I couldn't disobey the professor, so I picked up my glass and gave a toast to each person. The opportunity to toast these bigwigs might seem small. But I actually understood that it wasn't an opportunity anyone could have. If not for Professor King, it would likely take me ten years to earn such an honor.He was doing everything he could to pave the way for me. It was a favor that no one could ask for, and I was immensely grateful
I knew that the person who arranged all of this had to be him. Could it be that the person I waited so long for at the club had actually been here, waiting for my return all along?Walking along the narrow path, tears that I had been holding back for so long finally streamed down my face. The emotions I had been suppressing for so long suddenly burst forth uncontrollably at that moment. All the unspoken longing, the unexpressed love, and the sorrow of not being able to embrace transformed into tears, flowing freely.I desperately wanted him to appear before me. I wanted him to be standing amidst the flowers and smiling at me. His eyes would sparkle, and his gaze would fall warmly upon me. He would be looking at me with tears in his eyes.I would rush and throw myself into his arms without hesitation. I could imagine hugging his slim waist, feeling the contours of his abs, and basking in his passionate love.As I walked further into the room, I saw a life-sized portrait of myself
No other man in this world would ever put so much effort into celebrating my birthday. My dad loved me dearly, but his attention and effort were always focused on my mom. Only Colin had a heart full of love solely for me.He gave me an unforgettable birthday in his own unique way, filled with warmth and romance. He knew I was here, and he came to see me. Even though he couldn't hug me in person, I could feel his love and devotion in every flower and every molecule of air.A warm current surged through my heart, spreading joy and comfort. On this particular day, I was filled with happiness and gratitude.Pulling out my phone, I captured the opulence of the room with a single click and posted the photo on social media. My caption was a simple but heartfelt, "Thank you, my love!"This time, I didn't restrict the post to be visible only to Colin. I wanted to share my happiness with everyone and let them know that I was deeply loved.I wanted to make it clear that the man who loved m
Yesterday, I was so caught up in the moment and my happiness that I didn't think much about it. But today, as I looked at the countless roses, I felt a pang of guilt and regret.Flowers were perishable items, not necessities. Their purpose was to add beauty to life and not be wasted. I couldn't help but wonder how much all these roses cost.A single bouquet would have been enough to express his feelings, and I couldn't understand why Colin would spend so much.After all, Colin had promised to be frugal. We were supposed to save up while we were young so that we could find a place to settle down. Yet here he was, splurging his money on flowers. Men could be so impractical sometimes.Not only was I regretful, but I was also a bit anxious.Last night, I posted that provocative message in a moment of heated emotion. There was no way Jasmine missed it.While she couldn't confront me directly, being the cunning and manipulative woman she was, she was definitely planning something behin
It was a meaningful celebration that fostered an atmosphere of liveliness as professionals from diverse fields engaged in animated conversations.I didn't enjoy such environments. After telling Helen, I wandered around the club alone and quickly found a quiet corner to hide in. There, I opened my phone and started studying the materials I had photographed in detail.This particular spot seemed to be the most remote within the club. It was seldom visited by patrons or staff alike. For a good half hour, I sat undisturbed without encountering even a passing waiter.Behind me loomed a sizable tree, its thick branches drooping low to provide ample concealment. Ensconced in this nook, I remained invisible to the rest of the partygoers.Nico proved himself a genius in the industry. Despite the laboratory being established just a month prior, he had already proposed several formulas, awaiting only the gathering of ingredients for testing.One of these formulas utilized a combination of pl
I breathed a sigh of relief, my heart still pounding from the shock. Stumbling upon such a colossal secret by chance… It was a blessing that no one else knew, or I could have ended up silenced for good.It seemed that the elite circles were rife with secrets and shady dealings. Surviving in their world wouldn't be easy. I was glad I came from an ordinary family. With my level of social intelligence, I'd probably be eaten alive if I were to mingle in the aforementioned circle.With both individuals gone, my mind was too unsettled to continue reading. To avoid overhearing any more dangerous secrets, I put away my phone and started wandering around.The club's layout was truly distinctive, resembling a labyrinth of winding corridors. Each turn was a mystery, and the full extent of the path remained hidden until the journey's end.Both events took place on the ground floor. As I looked up at the varied lights above, an inexplicable urge to explore the upper levels stirred within me.
This exclusive club, being a public venue, didn't permit loud shouting. So, I took off running toward the direction where the group had disappeared.However, the club's immense size posed a challenge. By the time I reached the other side, Colin had vanished without a trace. Despite exploring numerous small corridors, I found no indication of his whereabouts.Elegantly dressed patrons continued to come and go, some with smiles, others with blank expressions. But none of them bore any resemblance to the person I was desperately seeking.Colin had disappeared. Could I have possibly misidentified someone else as him?No, that couldn't be.My eyesight had undergone rigorous training, and Colin was etched in my memory. I knew his figure better than my own.It had to be him. There was no room for error.Luxurious private rooms filled the area near the lounge, forming an array of interconnected spaces. Colin couldn't have vanished into thin air; he must have entered one of these rooms.
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