All Chapters of Roses Rising Above the Thorns: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

No one paid much attention to the small stir. After the security guards escorted Kenneth out as they were told, the wedding carried on smoothly.Everyone's expression stayed the same, except for the four friends who had once shared a dorm.Stellan had a clear view of everything from backstage. He could tell something was wrong, and his face dropped when Kenneth rushed forward earlier.He heard from the wedding coordinator that there were still ten minutes until the best man's speech, so he took off his jacket, cracked his wrists, and stepped outside.When Stellan got to the entrance, he ran straight into Kenneth, who had totally lost it, along with Ian and Sean, who were both confused.Stellan waved Kenneth over, then seized him by the collar, his voice as cold as ever. "What was that 'No' about? Kenneth, who were you talking to?"Kenneth's eyes were cloudy with uncertainty. He stared at Stellan for what felt like forever before finally focusing and muttering, "I was talking to F

"I'm just like you," Freya told Gabriel.She never looked back after deciding things were over. She'd give Gabriel a chance when she was sure he was the one she wanted to spend her life with.As for her and Kenneth, it was a mistake from the start. It took her eight years to figure out she'd gone down the wrong road. She couldn't let herself make that mistake again.Freya looked Kenneth straight in the eye and made herself clear. "Kenneth Deakin, the person you've loved all along was never me—it was just the faint trace of Charlotte that you saw in me."The reason I'm ending things isn't because I'm throwing a fit or expecting you to make it right—it's because my feelings for you are gone."Remember when you said, 'If it's deceit, it doesn't deserve forgiveness'? You lied to me for six years. I can't forgive you, but I don't want to hate you either. I just want to cut all ties between us and close this chapter."Her words ripped Kenneth's heart into pieces. He refused to accept i

Valerie's chest felt incredibly stuffy because of that.On Sunday, one of Christopher's friends in his social circle hosted a bachelor's party before his impending marriage. Valerie attended the party with him.Once they entered the private room, Valerie could see familiar faces everywhere. Even Helena was there.But when Christopher laid his eyes on Helena, he approached her immediately with a cold look on his face."Who gave you permission to come here?"It was true that Helena didn't fit into the circle here because of how pure and innocent she was."Since Mikhael has gone on a business trip, I came here bearing gifts for the groom-to-be on his behalf."Only then did Christpher's expression soften slightly. He reminded her many times not to drink any alcohol. After that, he returned to Valerie's side.As Valerie observed the concerned way Christopher acted in front of Helena, she silently suppressed the weird feeling in her heart.At that moment, the man of the hour came to

A while later, Christopher's car slowed down to a halt outside a romantic restaurant. Just as both of them got out of the car and were about to enter the restaurant, Valerie suddenly pulled out Christopher's phone, which was tucked inside her pocket the whole time. She then handed it to him."I brought your phone for you."Christopher grunted in response while glancing at his phone subconsciously. A few seconds later, the atmosphere between them fell silent.Valerie's heart slowly sank. "What's wrong?"Christopher put his phone away before replying casually, "Something came up in the company just now. I might not be able to continue dining with you. You should eat on your own for now. I'll accompany you next time, okay?"Valerie's heart sank to the pits of her stomach this time. She tried to smile at Christopher."Is it important? Can't you deal with it next time?""Yeah. It's very important." Christopher seemed to feel quite guilty, for he kissed Valerie on the cheek quickl

Mikhael had been having feelings for Valerie for eight years? He liked her before Christopher even had feelings for her?Mikhael started getting closer to Valerie. She could see his cold-looking face being amplified before her eyes. Lust and affection could be seen swirling in his eyes.His enthralling voice rang out once again. "I want to continue kissing you, Valerie. I'll gladly take responsibility for what just happened if that's what you want."Valerie stared Mikhael in the eye. "How are you going to take responsibility for me?""I can marry you."It was a straightforward answer, and yet Mikhael had answered with a straight face. To him, it wasn't a joke at all.Valerie just gazed at Mikhael quietly.She had been in an eight-year-long relationship and had proposed to Christopher three times in a row. In the end, all she received was "I'm sick of her".Meanwhile, Mikhael could offer her what she wanted the most so easily. What a dramatic world.Mikhael just kept staring