This was the first time Seraphina Arden mustered the courage to boldly pursue love.Two days had passed, and there had been no messages or calls from Daniel. The silence weighed heavily on Seraphina, suffocating her as her heart sank deeper into despair with every passing hour.Aside from her unspoken infatuation with Ethan, Seraphina had never truly experienced a romantic relationship. She could only rely on the life lessons her parents had instilled in her and her own observations of people to judge whether someone was worth getting closer to. Daniel had left her with a good impression—he seemed like a man of integrity, polite in his actions, and not the sort to cause harm.Ethan was getting married, and Seraphina felt a growing urgency to find a partner herself. She wanted to settle down, ideally with someone like Daniel, whom she deemed suitable.At the beginning, Daniel might have had a slight interest in her, but it wasn’t enough to solidify into anything meaningful. His feeling
The world is full of surprises. Just a short while ago, Seraphina Arden had been lamenting her struggles to find a husband. Now, out of nowhere, a rotten and unwelcome romantic entanglement had popped up, one she wanted to escape as quickly as possible.That evening, while Elijah hadn’t yet returned home, Seraphina debated whether to tell her mother about what had been going on. She wanted to vent but feared it would only make her parents worry.Out of the blue, Chloe said, "Ethan’s wedding is off. He gave the apartment they were supposed to live in to the bride’s family. Dean, our upstairs neighbor, put their place up for sale, and Ethan bought it. He came by earlier today to check on the apartment. At lunchtime, I ran into him and asked if he’d eaten. When he said no, I made him a hamburger."Seraphina stopped mid-bite, staring at her mother, the apple in her hand forgotten.Chloe continued, "He mentioned wanting to renovate the place and asked me if I had any suggestions. He said h
Sebastian was known for his clean reputation. As a bureau chief, he hadn’t achieved any major accolades, nor had he made any grave mistakes. His tenure was a smooth ride.What Ethan never expected, however, was to be simultaneously targeted by both the Henry family and Olivia.The Henry family’s grudge against Ethan stemmed from an earlier incident. Back then, they had schemed to use Harper to seduce Ethan. When Ethan uncovered their ploy, Sebastian was livid and launched a thorough investigation into all of the Henry family’s construction sites. Several of their rush projects were found to have safety hazards and were forced to halt for months of rectification.The two-month shutdown caused catastrophic financial losses for the Henry family, who had since nursed a deep hatred for both Ethan and Sebastian.Attempts to bribe or seduce the father and son had failed. So, the Henry family decided to shift their focus to people around Ethan. That’s when they identified his fiancée, Via.Wh
When Seraphina Arden began college, it was supposed to be Elijah who took her, but Ethan had volunteered enthusiastically to do it instead.That day, Ethan was full of energy, helping Seraphina pack her belongings at home. When they were about to leave, Seraphina insisted on bringing her plush clownfish, Nemo. Ethan couldn’t help but tease her: “You’re going to college now. Don’t you think it’s childish to still cling to this thing?”Seraphina replied earnestly, “Hugging it helps me fall asleep faster.”The plush toy was a gift from Ethan when Seraphina got into high school.Ethan sighed, giving in to her whims as always. Seraphina walked ahead, hugging Nemo, while Ethan followed behind, dragging her suitcase.After settling Seraphina into her dorm, Ethan breathed a long sigh of relief. He returned to the apartment he shared with Via, flopped onto the bed, and felt an overwhelming sense of peace.Lying there with a gentle breeze flowing in from the window, Ethan felt lighter than ever
Ethan left Seraphina Arden’s house with his head hanging low, a heavy weight pressing on his chest. It was then he truly realized—he loved that slow, clumsy girl, the one who always walked two steps ahead of him, pulling him into her world of eating, laughing, and playing. She wasn’t as beautiful as Via, nor was she as outstanding.But after ten years of companionship, she had become an inseparable part of his life.Whenever Ethan thought of Seraphina, his heart ached. He had secretly visited her university just to see her. She had lost weight, grown prettier, and yet still carried that same sunny, carefree smile. Her life seemed untouched by his absence.Meanwhile, Via was a wonderful girl—beautiful, graceful, and gentle. Their relationship had started with passion and settled into a calm, steady routine.Once Ethan confronted his feelings, though, he couldn’t break up with Via. He had promised to marry her. When she clung to his neck, looking at him with such hopeful eyes, whisperin
How many broken mirrors in this world can truly be put back together?Ten years of companionship, discarded in a single moment—Ethan might now be “waking up,” but Seraphina Arden had spent years tearing herself down, enduring pain, and painstakingly rebuilding herself.She’d struggled with self-doubt for so long. She was overweight, slow, and not nearly as beautiful or clever as Via. Seraphina understood that the world was full of men who valued appearances above all else. It wasn’t Ethan’s fault that he had never loved her.Faced with someone like Via—beautiful, brilliant, and charismatic—who wouldn’t make the same choice?Even now, Seraphina still felt a pang of bitterness. The memories of her time with Ethan were sweet but painful, like a distant dream. A dream where, for a fleeting moment, she had felt cherished.Over time, though, she had come to a realization: what she missed was not Ethan, but the feeling of being loved. It could have been anyone.Now that Ethan had suddenly re
At the bidding venue for the land parcel, Seraphina Arden was visibly tense.Leon Everhart glanced at her and offered a rare moment of comfort: “Relax. It’s fine if we don’t win. No big deal.”But for Seraphina, it was a big deal. She had been terrified that her negligence might have leaked sensitive company information. If anything went wrong, she wouldn’t be able to repay the loss even if she sold everything she owned. How could she not be nervous?Leon watched her tightly-wound demeanor but didn’t say much else.When TerraVantage Group successfully won the bid, Seraphina finally let out a long, relieved sigh, slumping into her chair like a deflated balloon.She stole a glance at Leon Everhart. He was his usual, aloof self, casting her a sidelong glance that seemed to say, “Look at you—such a greenhorn.”On the drive back, Seraphina felt like a massive weight had been lifted.But then Leon broke the silence, asking casually, “You were so worried—was it because of Olivia or Harper?”
One day, while Seraphina Arden was eating in the company cafeteria, Olivia walked over with her tray and sat down directly across from her. With a sharp tone, she said, “Seraphina, I want to ask you about someone—Ethan. You know him, don’t you? You have his number, right?”The way Olivia phrased it sounded more like a demand than a question.Seraphina, keeping her composure, appeared a little dazed. But her mind was racing as she carefully analyzed the relationships and possible motives behind Olivia’s question.Olivia grew impatient. Slamming her tray down, she raised her voice. “Seraphina Arden, are you deaf? I asked you a question!”Despite Leon Everhart’s repeated warnings to Olivia to keep a low profile and not flaunt her connection to the Everhart family at work, she simply couldn’t help herself when it came to Seraphina Arden.Seraphina’s slow and deliberate demeanor only irritated Olivia further, making her temper flare.Finally, Seraphina replied calmly, “Sit down. I’ll expla
Seraphina Arden’s tech company closed for a one-week holiday and resumed operations afterward.Before the break, her flamboyant Leon heard that she wanted to give gifts to the professors who had supported her. That evening, he returned home with boxes of presents. The gifts, prepared by TerraVantage Group, were impressive and perfectly suitable for the occasion.Having a resourceful and thoughtful partner like Leon made Seraphina’s work remarkably efficient.Seraphina cherished her job deeply, knowing how hard-earned it was. After all, it was the only condition her father had set when negotiating her marriage with the Everhart family.Yet, over Christmas, Everhart’s mother subtly suggested that she quit her job and become a housewife.At the time, Seraphina had retorted sharply, but the suggestion left a lingering discomfort.When they were alone, Seraphina shared this with her mother, asking, “Mom, what do you think Leon’s mom was thinking?”Chloe responded, “She’s spent her whole li
This Christmas, Lucas and his family didn’t return to their hometown to visit his grandmother.The household had turned into utter chaos, with no sign of peace or holiday spirit.Over the past few months, far too many things had happened—things Lucas was afraid to even think about.Olivia’s mother, Miliya, was not someone to be trifled with. When she learned that Lucas and Olivia were still married while Lucas was living with Harper, she became furious. Adding insult to injury, Lucas’s parents didn’t care about their daughter-in-law Olivia but went to care for the mistress instead. This sent Miliya into a rage.She went back home, rallied her husband and two sons, and even hired a few extra hands. Together, they stormed into Harper’s house, where Lucas and his parents were staying. Dragging Lucas and his parents out, they began to beat them in public.With the door wide open, Miliya yelled through a megaphone:“Come one, come all! Look at this shameless family! Their lawful daughter-i
The next day, Leon Everhart returned to his family home, while Seraphina Arden accompanied her parents back to their hometown to visit her grandmother.On the way, Chloe brought up her cousin Eliza.Chloe said, “Eliza came to see us during Christmas. She mentioned that Eugene has graduated and found a job, though the pay isn’t great, and he’s living in the city’s old town with his mother. Eliza couldn’t bear to see their situation, so she sold her own house and car, added some money, and bought a second-hand three-bedroom apartment. In October, Eugene and his mother moved in. Eliza said that his mother recently found a job as a cleaner. With no mortgage, they can get by on Eugene’s income.”Seraphina Arden remained silent.A few weeks ago, Eliza had met up with Seraphina and shared that she had finally settled down with a man.The man was in his fifties, a widower with some savings. His son, older than Eliza, was successful, married, and living in Switzerland.Eliza admitted that they
The Everhart family’s old mansion, with its sprawling estate, had repurposed former bedrooms into guest rooms. The Everharts lacked nothing. Mrs. Everhart, who was a vegetarian, adhered strictly to her own rules and traditions.Chloe had already visited beforehand to scout things out for her daughter, Seraphina Arden.She advised Seraphina, “When you’re there, eat and drink as you should, smile more, and speak less. Their family is wealthy and powerful. From the way his mother carries herself, it’s clear that the men in their household are the ones who call the shots. Don’t get involved in their family matters or the business. You have your own company. ‘A wise person plays deaf and mute to keep the peace.’ Just focus on running your own home and managing your own affairs.”Seraphina smiled and agreed.Chloe added, “During holidays, accompany Leon back to stay for a few days, but don’t overstay. His mother may seem kind on the surface, but she’s controlling and deep-minded. Don’t get
After Seraphina Arden’s parents finally gave their approval, Leon Everhart hurried back home to tell his own parents, declaring that he wanted to finalize the wedding arrangements before the Lunar New Year.The first step was for the two families to meet.The Everhart family, being wealthy, had always harbored a certain disdain for those less fortunate. Even though Leon’s mother knew Elijah and Chloe were not the kind of people to covet money, there was still a subconscious arrogance embedded in their attitude.In this society, after all, people tend to toast the rich first.On the surface, Mr. Everhart Sr. presented himself as polite and humble, but deep down, he carried an air of superiority. He believed that money could solve anything. Despite Seraphina’s family’s earlier firmness, they had eventually agreed to the match, and in his mind, it only proved that nobody could resist the lure of wealth.Leon Everhart, however, took everything seriously. His nervousness over the matter di
The world says that an unattractive bride must eventually meet her in-laws. As for the "peacock" Leon Everhart, if he truly wanted to marry Seraphina Arden, no matter how difficult it was, he had to press forward.Now in his late thirties and single for far too long, Leon was eager for some companionship. Constantly lingering around Seraphina Arden, he would use every excuse to stay by her side, hoping to remain in her presence for as long as possible.To counter this, Elijah and Chloe moved into Seraphina’s apartment, specifically to keep Leon at bay.One evening, after work, Leon called Seraphina, saying, “Seraphina, I heard you’re not feeling well. I’ve bought you some food. Let me bring it over.”Seraphina glanced at her parents bustling in the living room and replied in a soft voice, “I’m at home with my mom and dad.”Leon looked at the packed beef chow fun and chicken soup sitting on the passenger seat. He had gone out of his way to buy it from a distant restaurant. Knowing that
Chloe and Elijah, hearing that Seraphina Arden would be coming home for dinner, went shopping for groceries and busied themselves in the kitchen.Seraphina Arden felt a bit awkward, unsure how to bring up the topic with her parents.She and Leon Everhart weren’t kids anymore. Both were focused on the goal of marriage. As mature adults, they clearly understood what they wanted, and there was no need for unnecessary delays. With mutual intentions, they naturally moved toward a shared future.Leon Everhart was in a hurry. Previously, he’d been so busy with work that he barely had time for bathroom breaks, but now he was calling Seraphina Arden several times a day, urging her to speak to her parents and arrange a meeting between the two families.Annoyed, Seraphina Arden retorted, “Why are you in such a rush? You weren’t like this before.”Leon Everhart replied, “How could I not be? I’ve always been anxious, and whenever I rushed, you’d hit me. And you didn’t hold back!”Seraphina Arden r
Seraphina Arden’s simple “okay” left Leon Everhart overwhelmed with emotion. He tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and looked up at the sky, finally letting go of the tension that had gripped him for so long.When Leon called Seraphina, he had been incredibly nervous. Despite his many experiences, he didn’t truly know how to handle relationships with women. He had always relied on instinct and mimicked his father’s ways, stumbling his way through interactions.While his mother was bedridden during her illness, she gave him and Liam heartfelt advice:“Life is like a vast river; you only need one cup of water to drink. A mansion may be vast, but you only need one bed to sleep in. The more you seek, the more you lose. If you truly want peace, do not wrong your wife. Marry a woman you truly love and stay faithful to her for life. I once dreamed of growing old with your father, but his infidelity broke my heart. If it weren’t for you two, I would have left this world long ago.“You thi
The next morning, Seraphina Arden emerged from her room, fully dressed and ready for the day. She noticed that the sofa had been tidied up, the bedding neatly folded. Leon Everhart sat upright on the couch, waiting.When Leon saw Seraphina, he greeted her with a radiant smile, a far cry from the persistent and clingy man he had been the night before.Standing, Leon approached Seraphina, stopping a meter away.In a serious tone, he said, “Seraphina, everything I told you last night was true. I understand that you might not love me, and that you probably feel a great deal of resistance toward me. I also know you yearn for the kind of love your parents share—a lifetime of commitment, growing old together. I didn’t understand that before, but I do now. I’ll work on myself and learn from your father. Seraphina, when I said I want to marry you, I meant it. Please don’t reject me outright. Think about it, okay?”Seraphina looked up at Leon, her lips pressed tightly together as though she wan