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Chapter 5

Author: Scented Stone
last update Last Updated: 2024-11-22 13:25:45
I stared at the photo for a long time, lost in thought.

My mom approached quietly, patting my shoulder. "Annie, Tracy's son, Liam, just returned to the country. Let's have a meal together soon."

She hesitated, watching me closely.

I knew what she was trying to do—introduce me to someone she thought would be a good match.

She worried I'd reject the idea outright, given my lifelong stance as an advocate for "free love."

I gave her a faint, unreadable smile. "Okay."

Maybe it was guilt—knowing I still caused my parents to worry even at my age. Or maybe I had realized that my taste in men had been disastrously poor.

The "true love" I believed in had turned out to be a sham. Perhaps love built on shared values and equal footing would last longer.

My mom lit up, relieved I wasn’t opposing her plan, and rubbed her hands together in excitement. "That's great. Really great!"

I glanced at my father. "Dad, can you lend me some money? I want to start a new business."

Without a word, he tr
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