All Chapters of A Reluctant Promise: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Dominic was once again rushed into the operating room. His parents had just finished their work when they heard the news and hurried to the hospital. Upon learning from the doctor that his hand was now permanently crippled, they felt as if the sky had collapsed on them. He was their only son, and they had hoped he would soon settle down, marry, and take on the responsibilities of Parker Group. However, for years, he had refused to return to the family business for training, avoided any serious relationships, and instead pursued his ambition of becoming a pilot. His actions had always revolved around women, leading him down reckless paths. Now, he had managed to ruin his right hand, cutting off the only path to what could have been a very bright future. His parent’s anger and heartbreak sent them into a state of acute distress. They were immediately sent to the emergency room for treatment themselves. After the surgery, Dominic was moved into the intensive care unit.

Why? Dominic didn’t have an answer. It had been a moment of impulsiveness. But if he hoped to convince his strict parents to approve this decision, he needed a compelling reason—one that couldn’t be dismissed so easily. He lowered his gaze, letting memories of his time with Valerie flood his mind. He had thought their first meeting was at the bar outside their university, but in reality, they had crossed paths countless times four years earlier.He had believed she fell for him at first sight, drawn by his looks, but her love had long since taken root—sprawling and steadfast, like an ancient tree. He had assumed they would part ways eventually, but six years later, her presence had become an irreplaceable part of his life. The moments replayed vividly: her tentative hand reaching for his in the snowstorm, the warm embrace she gave him at their graduation as she stood on tiptoes, the daily exchanges of “good morning” and “goodnight” once they began living together. Scene af

Dominic did not follow the doctor’s advice. He left the hospital and went straight home. He stood in his once cozy apartment, now empty and desolate, and watched as the familiar warmth of his life seemed to slip further away. A sense of panic that had gripped his heart spread outward, invading every inch of his body. The living room, the bedroom, the study—all the remnants of his life with Valerie were gone. Not a trace remained. She had completely erased herself from his life. Dominic felt like a lost ship adrift in the dark night, aimless and helpless, his mind a chaotic mess. He tried reaching out through his friends to contact Valerie but discovered that she had removed every connection to him. Every person tied to him, every thread of familiarity, was obliterated. She had made up her mind to sever all ties. Her resolute and unyielding attitude drove Dominic into a spiral of confusion. His reason and composure crumbled. Unable to think clearly, he dragged his inju

After dinner, it was exactly six o’clock. Mrs. Stonecutter sat on the sofa, sipping her tea, while Valerie and her husband were in the kitchen washing dishes and tidying up. Mr. Stonecutter wiped the grease off the counter and glanced at Valerie, hesitating as if to say something. “Val, Callum asked me to ask you. What do you think of Tiberius?” Valerie paused for a second with her hands in the dishwater, squinting slightly as she began to consider the question. Tiberius? She recalled their first meeting four days ago—their mutual shyness and politeness—and then thought of their recent conversations, which had grown easier as they began discussing the past. It could be considered rapid progress, she thought. She nodded slowly, her voice laced with hesitation. “He’s…nice. Why did he ask?” “Why? Of course, because he likes you, my girl. He wants you to be Tiberius’s wife. He’s been hoping for you to return to Elara. “When he heard we were setting you up on blind dates,

After her second interview, Valerie didn’t see Dominic and Samson outside, so she finally let out a sigh of relief. She looked at the setting sun on the horizon, hesitating between having a meal out or heading home. Just then, her phone pinged. [Finished your interview? How did it go?] It was Tiberius. She recalled the conversation, which had been relatively pleasant, and she felt confident about the outcome. She sent a cute dog meme in response. Not long after, he replied: [Since it went so smoothly, let’s celebrate. I’ll take you to dinner.] She instinctively wanted to refuse. However, remembering that he had given her a referral for her second interview, she felt obliged to accept. She deleted the initial response: [That’d be too much trouble for you] and replaced it with [I should treat you instead.] Then sent it without a second thought. [Then I’ll gladly accept. Where are you? I’ll come pick you up. Send me your address. Take a moment to think about what you’