Echoes of a Vanished Love

In the sixth year of our relationship, I found a gift box containing an engagement ring in the coat pocket of my boyfriend, Liam Sherman.On the day of my birthday, I was filled with anticipation, only to see a post of him visiting a high-end restaurant frequented by couples with another woman.I hurriedly took a taxi to that restaurant and personally witnessed him getting down on one knee to propose to someone else. Everyone around them was teasing them, encouraging them to get together.Even though I was filled with disappointment, I didn't kick up a fuss like before. Instead, I quietly made a call to my father, Adam Southwell. "I agree to the arranged marriage with the Chandler family, Dad. Let's start preparing for the wedding," I said. …After he heard what I said, Adam was stunned, but it was quickly replaced with elation. "It looks like you've finally thought things through, dear Mimi. The most important thing in marriage is to find yourself a good match."It's alright

After I returned to my company the next day, I sat at my station and started to print out my resignation letter.Liam and I met and fell in love in university. He later started working at a technology company, and I followed him to that same company. I refused my parents' arrangements for me and started working with him from the bottom of the hierarchy.After I got together with him, I'd also previously hinted at marriage. However, Liam was busy with work and always insisted that he hadn't successfully carved out a career for himself yet. He said that he was afraid my parents wouldn't be willing to let me, their beloved daughter, marry him. He'd always told me that he wanted to establish a career before starting a family. In order to avoid burdening him, I had no choice but to tactfully convince my parents not to mention anything about our family background to him. I was afraid that revealing anything about my family origins would put even more pressure on him.Now, he had becom

At noon, I returned to my workstation, ready to move everything out.Liam was the one who'd given me the asteroid ornament on my desk. He'd even sworn sincerely that I was his entire world back then.I smiled self-deprecatingly as I looked at the ornament. In the end, I still took it with me.Just as I was about to leave with the box of my belongings in my arms, Vivi suddenly walked into the office, looking anxious."I'm sorry, everyone. I seem to have lost the necklace I was wearing today. Could I please ask all of you to cooperate for a routine inspection?" she asked.Everyone else in the office started whispering to each other."I saw Ms. Johansen's necklace when I arrived today! The diamond on the necklace was huge! It was so bright and shiny too!""I think Ms. Johansen actually worded things too nicely. Someone definitely got greedy at the sight of that diamond necklace and stole it!""Oh my goodness! There's actually a thief in our office! I was wondering why the biscuits

Of course, I also wished Liam and Vivi a happy marriage just like the other company employees. After that, I deleted Liam's contact information from my phone.When the plane landed, my parents personally came to pick me up from the airport.My mother, Cecilia Knox, held my hand with a distressed look on her face. "My dear daughter, look at how thin you've become studying and working so far from home!"Adam patted me on the shoulder and said, "It's good that you're home!"There was a man with broad shoulders and a narrow waist standing upright next to them. He looked slightly older than me and was wearing a three-piece suit. He had deep-set eyes, a gentle gaze, and was looking silently at me with faint warmth.I blushed unconsciously under his scorching gaze, having already guessed his identity.My parents hurriedly introduced me to him. "Mimi, this is Jayce Chandler."I reached out for a handshake, and Jayce reached out in return with his broad palm, gently shaking the tips of m

After they heard my story, my parents felt terribly sorry for me.Adam said callously, "Well, we had to let you suffer the bitterness of love before you'd finally understand how well we've been protecting you all this time."But despite his words, I could see the veins standing out on the back of his hands. His expression was so dark he looked like he wanted to grab Liam and beat him up right then and there.Cecilia hugged me and said comfortingly, "Alright. Let's not think about such depressing things anymore now that you're home. It's just a diamond necklace. I'll buy you a few more accessories tomorrow, enough that you can just wear a different one every day."I burst into laughter, the sadness that I'd felt from ruminating on the past had washed away slightly. I had a good sleep that night....The next day, I suddenly received a bunch of missed calls from an unknown number.I had a habit of turning on airplane mode when I slept. The moment I turned it off, I started heari