On our fifth dating anniversary, my boyfriend, Luke Bolton, gives me a cheap bracelet worth less than a hundred dollars. On the same night, he splurges ten million dollars on a yacht for his first love, Cindy Gale. I refuse to accept this, and he accuses me of making a scene. "I gave Cindy that gift to boost the company's stock price, not because I still have feelings for her," he says. "You're poor, and I still promised to marry you. Isn't that enough? This was actually your last test, Elisa Gray, but you failed it." I break up with him, and he immediately proposes to Cindy. Five years after that, we meet again at a luxury hotel during a business summit. His company is about to become an industry giant, and Cindy is holding onto his arm. When he sees me, I'm standing in a fountain, all drenched and disheveled. "Elisa," Luke sneers. "When you turned me down back then, did it ever cross your mind that you might end up worse than a homeless person? "Don't think acting pitiful here will make me feel sorry and take you back." I ignore him. My son's cherished blue diamond was a birthday gift from his father, and he accidentally dropped it into the fountain. He's so upset that he's about to cry, and I have to find it right away.
View More"I don't need your diamond ring," I said, shaking my head."Why? This diamond is way better than the one you gave me back then. It's even rarer and more expensive than the blue diamond in your hand that day!" Luke said."Luke, do you remember that rainy night? You said the tiny diamond ring I gifted to you gave you the strength to keep going," I said, looking at him with some sympathy. "But five years later, when we met again, you called it a cheap gift."You say different things, so which version of you is the real one? The truth is, you changed far too much a long time ago.""I haven't changed!" Luke said, shaking his head in despair. "Elisa, my love for you has always stayed the same.""Your love for me?" I laughed softly. "Then, was buying Cindy a yacht and proposing to her also love?"I continued, "You knew she had ill intentions and could hurt me, yet you turned a blind eye for the sake of profit. You even let her try to ruin me."Tell me, is that love?"Luke's face grew
When we returned to our penthouse suite, Gideon gently laid the sleeping Anderson on the bed. Then, he turned around and pulled me into his arms."Were you scared today?" Gideon murmured as he stroked my hair.I shook my head and leaned against his chest."With you here, I'm not afraid.""But," his tone turned serious, "I've heard of the name Cindy Gale before."I was confused. "Have you met her before?""Darling, can you tell me what happened when you were attacked all those years ago?" Gideon asked.I started to tremble uncontrollably."I…" My voice shook. "I don't want to remember what happened.""I know the memories are painful," Gideon said, kissing my forehead. "But if we don't deal with them once and for all, they'll only try to hurt you again. And I will never let anyone hurt you again."In his warm embrace, I let down my guard and slowly began to recall what had transpired."After I left Luke that day, I was walking home when a few strangers suddenly attacked me," I
Cindy's eyes widened in shock.She said, "What are you talking about, Luke? Have you gone mad? I'm your wife! How could you betray me like this?"Luke let out a short, bitter laugh."My wife? Cindy, we never registered our marriage or had a wedding. So, how can you call this a betrayal?"Cindy said in a shaky voice, "Luke—"Luke cut her off."You always knew that I never truly loved you. I was only lying to myself, thinking that time would make me forget Elisa."He turned to me with eyes filled with regret."It wasn't until today that I realized what I had lost. Now, I'm seeing you with someone who truly loves you," Luke said. "Elisa, I missed out on the real love of my life."Cindy's face twisted with anger.She screamed, "You're betraying me for her? Luke, don't forget. Without my family's support, your company is nothing! "How dare you sell me out? You'll regret this!"Luke looked at her, and the last trace of warmth in his eyes disappeared."Are you threatening me? Ci
Gideon gently placed the sleeping Anderson in my arms, then turned to face the crowd in the lobby.The tenderness from moments ago vanished, replaced by the commanding presence of a corporate titan."Now." Gideon's voice was soft, but every word carried authority. "Who will explain to me why my wife was treated like a thief?"The hotel's general manager, Percy Goodwin, stepped out from the crowd. He was trembling, and his forehead was covered in a sheen of cold sweat.He said, "Mr. York, this… this was a misunderstanding. We never meant to offend Mrs. York.""A misunderstanding?" Gideon sneered. "I saw your people lay hands on my wife. Someone accused her of theft and kidnapping, too. Was that also a misunderstanding?"The other guests quickly changed sides and turned on the hotel's staff."This is outrageous! How could they disrespect Mrs. York like that?""There are serious issues with the management here!""Mr. York, we can all testify. It was the security guards who exagge
As everyone fell silent at the sight of Gideon, Anderson broke free from Cindy's arms and stumbled toward him."Daddy!" Anderson threw himself into Gideon's arms and clutched his neck tightly. "Daddy!"Gideon lifted Anderson up with one arm and gently stroked our little boy's back with the other. "It's okay. Daddy's here."Then, Gideon looked at me. His eyes were filled with pain and guilt. "Honey, I'm sorry I'm late."The hands that gripped me tightly finally let go. Backing away in fear, the security guards stared at me in disbelief.I stood up and walked toward my husband."Deon," I said hoarsely.Gideon pulled me into his arms, completely ignoring my disheveled appearance. In his warm, safe embrace, I finally relaxed."Darling," he whispered, kissing my ear gently. Then, he looked up and surveyed the lobby.There was a dead silence. Every guest held themselves with utmost respect, not daring to lift their heads to look at him.All except for Luke. His eyes were wide,
As I saw Luke's expression, some memories came flooding back.It was a rainy night five years ago. Luke had just taken over the company, and the board questioned him about his competence.He was sitting alone in his office, looking utterly exhausted.When I found him, he was staring blankly at a small diamond ring in his hand. It was the first gift I had given him, bought with money I had carefully saved."What's wrong?" I asked softly.Luke looked at me, and his gaze was gentle yet bitter. "I was wondering if I deserve such an expensive gift from you. Elisa, maybe I'm not cut out to run this company."I stood behind him and gently massaged his shoulders.I said, "Success doesn't happen overnight. You're already working very hard.""Elisa." He turned to me, and there was a vulnerability in his eyes. Luke said, "If I become more successful one day, I might face even greater challenges. When that day comes, will you still stand by me?""I will," I replied without hesitatio
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