Summer did not wait in the living room but went straight to her room. She switched on the TV and waited for the New Year gala to begin.This was the first time that she did not celebrate New Year at home. She could not get used to it and felt a little lonely.Usually, her family of five would gather around the TV to watch the New Year gala. It was a very lively occasion; they even had fruit dessert.They would only go to bed after the gala had ended. What made it more exciting was the activity where they exchanged New Year presents.However, this year, she sat alone in the spacious room and stared at the huge LED TV. Although the view was clearer, it lacked the lively atmosphere of the usual years.Mark walked into the room holding a document file and noticed her slim figure on the sofa. She was simply tapping on the remote control; her face was full of loneliness.Moved, he sat beside her and asked, “What are you watching?”“Waiting for the New Year gala to begin.” She glanced
He pressed forward, and her back leaned against the railing of the balcony.As he acted too suddenly, Summer could not react in time. She was startled for a moment. Then, she began to struggle to break free.But he had no intention to let go. He held her more tightly.Summer was not strong enough to repel him and she gradually stopped struggling.Behind them were the dazzling fireworks display, and where they stood in the scene of the night, the crackling of the fireworks continued.Finally, after some time, he slowly released her from his grasp. She was out of breath and felt like she was about to pass out.Her chest was thumping, and she was breathing heavily, gasping for air. Her pupils sparked with anger as she stared at him. Her face was red.Mark was smiling and placed his forehead against hers. Their eyes locked onto each other; the heat of his breath spilled over her face; his eyes were burning.Summer tilted her head to avoid him. She held her breath and said, “Mr. Val
It was quite a distance, so she did not catch sight of their expressions. Yet she could see the intensity.At that moment, she felt her heart slashed by a thousand blades and viciously pierced.‘Why did she have to witness such as scene?’‘Had she not suffered enough for the day?’It was supposed to be a lively New Year’s Eve. But all she felt was a never-before feeling of bitterness, loneliness, and pain.Moreover, before their kiss, she had called him twice but were all unanswered.‘What were they doing in the room during that time?’She sat there and could not prevent herself from guessing and imagining things. Her thoughts seemed to be driving her crazy.She had never lost control like this before. If this continued, she would really go mad.It was certainly a sleepless night. Raine was entangled in her thoughts; frustrated and unable to keep calm, she had no mood for anything else.On the other side.This year’s gala wasn’t bad, especially the sitcom; Summer was amused
Opening her eyes, all that Summer saw was the bed. The spot beside her was already empty. She took out her phone and looked at the time. It was 5:00 am.Every new year, she would get up earlier than usual. When she was at home, her parents would have been up at 4:00 am to prepare roasted tomato soup.She was certain that she slept on the sofa last night. He must have woken up during the night and carried her onto the bed.Not feeling at all sleepy, she got out of bed after stretching her limbs, washed her face, and went downstairs.Everyone in Valentine mansion was already awake and was all seated in the living room.Mark and Jazz were playing chess. The maid was giving Yvette a manicure while Raine was watching TV.Upon greeting Yvette, Summer walked up to Mark and watched him and Jazz play chess.Jazz was obviously not his match and lost terribly.She couldn’t stand watching it and said to Jazz, “Let me help you.”He couldn’t have asked for it; immediately, Jazz moved his se
“What did she say? Is it fire that makes you as nervous as cat, uh?”“Sherman’s crying, Billy had cheated on her and she caught him red-handed.” She frowned.‘They had only been married not long ago and this happened; what more, right on New Year’s Day. Was there a misunderstanding?’Slightly restraining his brows, Mark got up too; he muttered, “Come on, I’ll go with you.”Summer nodded.They arrived at their usual gathering place—a premium room in Club Nightshade.The moment they entered it, Summer saw Sherman sprawled on the counter, her shoulders twitching, followed by intermittent sobbing.Grace, on the other hand, was merciless with her words, keeping their glasses full. She never knew how to comfort anyone. If not, she wouldn’t have called Summer.Summer was like her savior; upon seeing her, she signaled with her eyes for Summer to comfort Sherman.Sherman had been crying since morning for nearly two hours. Grace was panicked and shaken but could only watch helplessly.
She leaned forward and hugged Sherman with sympathy. Patting her back, she said, “Tell me, what do you want to do?”“I don’t know…” Sherman gripped her collar tightly with both hands, in front of where it hurt the most, as though being stabbed. “I want to forgive… but there’s an obstacle in my heart…”That scene would surface in her memory from time to time, and no matter how hard she tried, she wasn’t able to erase it.“Listen, this is different. I can help you decide on other things, but for this, you do what makes your heart feel good and comfortable.”Summer’s voice was slow and solemn, but they were words from the bottom of her heart.“Hmph, what makes you feel good? Cut off his d*ck. That would be the best feeling!” Grace gritted her teeth as she uttered coldly.“Can we speak with reason? If not, just shut up, okay?” She had no idea how to deal with Grace.Grace waved with her wine glass in her hand. “Alright, alright, alright. I just need to keep quiet, yeah?”Summer tur
Charlie coughed lightly and huffed. “I’m suffocating, what’s the condition over the other side?”Mark shrugged, expressing that he knew nothing too. He looked at the state Billy was in and frowned. “Did you think that by smoking here, your problems would be settled?”“How about you give him a solution?”“First, settle it peacefully; second, divorce—”Before he could finish, Billy got up from the sofa and became very agitated. “I will not divorce her! Never!”At that moment, the door was pushed open. Sherman appeared at the entrance; she threw a cold stare at Billy, and then she left!Billy threw away his cigarette and rushed out after her. He appeared careful and dared not call out her name.Nevertheless, it was his own doing. Who else could he blame?When they arrived at Valentine mansion, the sky had turned dark. Throughout the journey, Summer didn’t utter a word but was lost in her wandering thoughts.Mark had focused on her a few times, but he, too, said nothing.Raine wa
Aside from what happened to Sherman, which exhausted her, this New Year wasn’t at all bad…The next morning.Raine woke up early and was strolling in the back garden at 6:00 am. In fact, she had a sleepless night.Her insomnia had kept her awake even though her eyes were closed.Lifting her head, she saw a stout figure approaching.He had a habit of jogging around the back garden at 6:30 am every morning, and it had been ever since the last ten odd years.Mark was jogging along the winding track of the garden. He exhibited the vigor and gracefulness as those of a lion.Raine observed him secretly as he approached from afar, drawing closer to her.Yet, he did not seem to notice her. There was not the slightest change in his expression. As he was about to pass by her, she called out, “Mark!”His attention shifted onto her, and he responded calmly, “Yes, Raine?”His gaze made Raine anxious, and she was jeering at herself.She was at a lost for words, her arms tightened, and she