After Ninety-Nine Rejections

As I left the temple, I ran into Hayden Lane again.

His gaze lingered on my swollen, red eyelids for a brief moment before he calmly looked away.

It was Samuel Langley beside him who broke the awkward silence.

"Ms. Johnson, are you heading back?"

My throat was hoarse from crying. Speaking hurt, so I simply nodded.

Then I walked to the ticket counter, planning to take the cable car down the mountain.

Samuel's puzzled voice came from behind me.

"Ms. Johnson, you're taking the cable car down? You're not walking?"

I turned around and met the confusion in both Samuel's and Hayden's eyes. A bitter feeling rose in my chest.

For three years, ninety-nine visits to draw a fortune stick. Every time, I had climbed the mountain on my knees. Then I limped all the way back down. All of it was to show heaven how sincere I was.

I thought if I was sincere enough, I would eventually receive a supreme blessing.

But no matter how sincere I was, I could never receive the blessing Hayden had no intention of giving me.

If that was the case, why should I keep suffering like this?

I scanned the code and bought my ticket.

"I'm tired. I don't feel like walking," I said casually.

My hoarse voice had barely faded when Samuel lifted the car keys in his hand.

"Perfect timing. Hayden and I are heading down the mountain too. Want a ride with us?"

Before I could refuse, Hayden coldly said, "We're picking someone up. There's no time to drop her off."

As he brushed past me, he suddenly paused. He glanced at my pale face, then spoke anyway.

"If you know you're tired, stop climbing up on your knees next time."

He had always been a cold person. Even his voice carried a low, distant tone.

Back then, no matter how harsh his words were, I still thought his voice sounded nice. I used to think that if he ever spoke to me with care, or breathed my name in passion, it would sound even better.

Now that I thought about it, it would probably be nothing special.

After I got down the mountain, I went straight to a barbecue restaurant.

For the past three years, all for that ridiculous "supreme blessing," I didn't dared touch any meat. I had forced myself to live like a vegetarian.

Halfway through devouring my food, the door opened.

A familiar voice I hated rang out.

"Wow, just smelling this makes my mouth water. I've been overseas for years, and this is the one thing I've missed the most!"

I looked up and saw Selena Johnson standing at the condiment counter.

My mood instantly worsened. I only wanted to finish eating and leave as soon as possible.

The next second, I heard Hayden's voice. It carried a hint of helplessness, but also clear affection.

"Go easy on the spice. Your stomach can't handle it."

My heart skipped. I looked up.

Hayden stood by the condiment table, holding out a bowl in his hand.

Selena.

So the "supreme blessing" Hayden had been waiting for was meant for Selena.

Of all people, it had to be her.

A bitter ache spread through my chest. I suddenly lost my appetite. I set down my fork and stood to leave.

The moment I grabbed my bag and turned around, I ran straight into Selena, who was carrying a bowl of sauce.

"Ah!"

Selena let out a sharp cry and immediately fell into Hayden's arms.

The impact knocked me off balance, and my hand slammed onto the still sizzling grill pan.

I sucked in a sharp breath from the burn. By the time I steadied myself, the back of my hand was already bright red. Pain shot through me, and I instinctively wanted to run to the sink for cold water.

Just as I moved, Hayden grabbed my wrist.

"Sydney, apologize to Selena!"

The burn on the back of my hand hurt so much it made my heart ache too.

I forced my wrist out of Hayden's grip and said nothing, heading toward the sink.

Hayden stepped in front of me and coldly said, "Apologize."

I looked up at him, fighting back the tears. My voice sounded stiff.

"Why should I?"

Selena lifted her head from Hayden's arms. She looked fragile and pitiful.

"Hayden, I'm fine. It was my fault. I accidentally bumped into my sister."

My eyes turned cold.

"Who said you could call me your sister?"