LOGINAs Renee and Leia walked forward, a voice suddenly called out from behind them."Ladies, since fate has brought us together, how about a fortune reading?"They turned around. To their surprise, there was an elderly man with a graying beard. He was holding a cloth painted with an odd symbol. He had on patched-up clothes, his hair was messy, and he looked like a down-and-out fortune teller."Sir, do we know you?" Renee asked. She studied his face and found it oddly familiar, but she couldn't quite place him.Water Dock was full of all kinds of people. Fortune tellers like him weren't uncommon. Maybe she had run into him before while wandering around, but they'd never really crossed paths."Of course," the fortune teller said before stroking his beard with a mysterious smile. "Not only do we know each other, but I even guided you in life once. And now that I see you again, it seems both of you are entangled in relationships that weigh heavily on your hearts.""Guided me?" Renee thou
Before long, Renee and Leia arrived at Water Dock.This place was once a lawless gray zone filled with instability. It had become relatively peaceful and orderly after the true owner of Carmine Pawnshop returned."Wow, this place looks completely different from what I remember! All the vendors are well-behaved, and the people coming and going look pretty decent too. It honestly feels like one of those touristy historic towns!" Leia exclaimed the moment she stepped into Water Dock.At first glance, the streets were filled with dazzling rows of goods. The crowds moved in neat order, and quite a few people were even taking photos and checking in for social media. The only thing missing was a big sign by the dock that read 'Greetings from Water Dock! Wish you were here!'And yet, who would know that this place used to be a completely different world?Back then, killings and robberies happened frequently. The people who came and went were all dangerous figures. Ordinary folks wouldn't
"Why not?" Renee asked.She looked at Jovan and thought that he was a little too stubborn.He had already agreed with what she said, yet he still insisted on talking tough."I don't think love needs to be a game. Take right now for example. I'm the one who likes you. You think that means you've got the upper hand over me. But the truth is, having feelings for you is my main motivation. Even if I have to swallow my pride and act like a simp, and even if you never give me any response, I'd still feel happy just being close to you."He continued talking seriously. "Love itself is only about the person who feels it. Your joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are all decided by you. So there's really no such thing as winning or losing."Renee froze.Jovan's perspective was interesting. For a moment, she couldn't even argue with it.In the end, she could only smile helplessly. "No wonder you always bounce back no matter how many times you get knocked down. Turns out my attitude doesn'
Stefan didn't argue after hearing that. He simply smiled bitterly."You're right. I'm a coward. I'm used to calculating risks and consequences down to the smallest detail. The dynamic Renee and I have right now is the optimal solution after all my calculations. I just don't dare take another risk."More than anyone else, he knew he had never truly let go of Renee. That was why his pain felt a hundred times clearer than anyone else's.When his emotions surged, he sometimes had the reckless thought that nothing else mattered as long as he could be with her. But that thought usually only lasted for a moment. The instant he lowered his head, logic would take over.Even he didn't know whether that kind of restraint meant he didn't love her or that he loved her too much."Fine. Keep messing things up then. One day when she really runs off with someone else, I won't feel the slightest bit sorry for you. I'll be beating drums and setting off fireworks to celebrate that she finally found s
Stefan sat by the campfire. He nudged a small cluster of flames with a stick. His gaze grew distant as he fell into thought. "Letting her misunderstand me isn't such a bad thing. I'm not exactly a good man anyway. It's much easier for her to hate me than to love me."Although the two of them could now set the past aside and get along peacefully, he knew very well that some feelings were like the sparks flickering in front of him. Give them the slightest chance, and they would flare back into a raging fire.When they burned, the ending would only be destruction.He had worked hard to play the role of the villain perfectly. If he stopped now, all of that effort would be wasted."I don't get you. I seriously don't get you. Sometimes you make me so mad."Xavier plopped down beside Stefan. He grabbed a burning stick from the fire and waved it around irritably."You obviously love her. So why do you keep hurting her? Are you mentally unstable or something?""I never wanted to hurt h
Stefan avoided Renee's gaze. He clenched his fists a little. "I'm not obligated to answer that question."There was nothing going on between him and Briar, but it was true that he had once used Briar to make Renee give up on him.If he explained things too clearly now, all the lies he had told before would fall apart.Given the situation, he had no desire to see the carefully constructed lies he built get exposed. It wouldn't benefit either of them."Well, there you go." Renee spread her hands. "You're not obligated to tell me, and I'm not obligated to tell you."Stefan fell silent.She was right. He no longer had any standing to demand honesty from Renee. Otherwise, it would make him look like a complete hypocrite."I lost. I'll drink."After saying that, Renee picked up a glass and poured the alcohol straight down her throat. Her eyes were full of bitterness.Leia understood Renee's relationship situation better than anyone. She knew Renee shouldn't have to drink that glass,
He held her hand and put it on his distinctly featured face. He then acted coquettishly with her like a kitten and intimately rubbed her hand against his face. The stubbles on his face rubbed against her palm, and it softened her heart. Tears rolled down her cheeks. When she was about to speak, Stef
"Hey, Stefan. Stop messing around, don't scare me!" Renee felt that something was rather off. Her slender face instantly turned pale as she checked the man's breathing.'It's a good thing that he was still breathing… albeit weakly.'This indicated that the man wasn't pranking her this time. He was tru
"Lei, what's the matter with you?" Xavier noticed something wrong with Leia, so he quickly ran over and inquired about it. "I'm… fine. It's none of your business!" She covered her belly and pushed him away, trying to act strong. However, the excruciating pain was killing her. She was in so much pain
The man smiled, speaking in a knowing voice. "You were reckless. You're not Seraphina. She hates Renee too much to ever say anything good about her. Let me take a guess as to who you are…"Stefan furrowed his eyebrows, falling into deep thought. "Are you Cecilia? Or Charlotte? Or are you Shirley…""Oh