Chapter 4

Aurelia's POV

The next moment, Lynn walked out of the bedroom, smiling. "Honey, my face hurts. Kiss me so it'll feel better."

Shane's expression softened, his cold gaze turning gentle. Even so, he pushed Lynn away, his ears turning bright red.

She said sulkily, "Fine, you don't have to kiss me. Just give me one million dollars to spend. I don't like the house you bought me anymore, and it's time to change my car. You know how it is."

So, he had spoiled her and even given her an endless supply of money. And I was the fool who had endured hardship with him, only to be manipulated all this time.

In a fit of rage, I grabbed a cup and threw it at Shane. Yet, he didn't even try to dodge. His head instantly swelled, yet he didn't get angry. Lynn tried to berate me, but he locked her in her room.

As I stood before him, seething with anger, he explained casually, "Aurelia, I know I shouldn't have lied to you, but I was afraid you'd turn out to be a gold digger. Besides, it was my father's condition. I could only marry you after you had endured eight years of hardship with me."

So, all this time, Shane had thought I was a gold digger. I laughed bitterly, "And what makes you think I would make it through those eight years and still want to marry you?"

Shane smiled. "Because you love me. You willingly came to Jinton and endured hardship with me. We even stayed in that small rented apartment together. Aurelia, I've never doubted your love for me. So, please don't doubt mine. I swear, this is the last time I'll ever deceive you."

But I had completely lost my trust in him. I believed him when he had lied to me about being an orphan. I believed him when he promised me again and again that he would marry me. I even believed him when he promised to give me a home and make me happy.

I had believed his words so many times, only to be proven wrong every single time. But this time, I refused to believe him again.

But Shane took my silence as agreement. He smiled and said, "I knew you loved me, Aurelia. Don't worry. I'll be able to marry you soon. When Lynn regains her memory, we'll register our marriage. And once those eight years are over, we'll have our wedding."

He then asked, "Oh, by the way, I'm planning to take Lynn on a trip to help her regain her memories. Are you coming?"

I shook my head. I would be going home in two days. Why put myself through any more hardship?

Seeing that I had made up my mind, Shane had no choice but to take Lynn on the trip without me.

Before they left, she looked at me mockingly, as if declaring her victory. Even so, I felt nothing. I was already thinking about what I could buy from Jinton to bring home to Mom.

But then, something unexpected happened. Mom suddenly fell ill and needed to be hospitalized for urgent treatment. I was on the high-speed train, so all I could do was transfer some money to her to cover the immediate expenses.

But when I tried to make the transfer, a notification popped up saying I had insufficient funds. However, I had saved up 200 thousand dollars during my three years in Jinton. That money was my wedding fund, and I had never touched it. And Shane was the only person who knew about it.

Furious, I called him. "Did you transfer the 200 thousand from my account?

The wind howled loudly on the other end of the line, yet his voice remained unusually clear. "Oh, the 200 thousand dollars? Yeah, I did. Weren't we supposed to struggle for another year? I decided to keep the money. I was worried you'd spend it recklessly and develop a habit of wasting money."

I yelled, "But my mother is sick! Shane, I urgently need this money for her treatment!"

Shane scoffed, "Aurelia, at least put some thought into your lies. I transfer your money, and suddenly your mother falls sick? What are the odds of that? Enough. There's no need to lie. Once the eight years are up, I'll return the money to you."

I wanted to argue further, but the call was abruptly disconnected. Less than half a minute later, I received a message from Lynn. "If you beg me, I'll give you the money."

After Dad passed away, Mom raised me on her own. I couldn't bear to imagine what my life would be like without her. Almost without thinking, I replied. "Please, I'm begging you."

Yet, Lynn sent me a mocking reply. "Aurelia, are you stupid? You believe everything I say. I don't have 200 thousand, but I have 20 photos for you."

As soon as I saw that message, photo after photo came flooding in. His arm was wrapped around her waist as they embraced and kissed.

Shane had lied to me again. He hadn't taken her on a trip to help her regain her memories. He had taken her to take wedding photos at the very place I had dreamed of going to. She was wearing the wedding dress I had dreamed of wearing.

He was giving her the wedding I had waited seven years for.

My tears landed on my phone screen. I no longer wanted the 200 thousand dollars, and I no longer wanted Shane either.

…

Third-Person POV

When Shane returned home, the first thing he wanted to do was to give Aurelia Emerson the souvenirs he had brought back. He knocked on the door of the master bedroom, but no one answered. It was then he remembered that Aurelia had moved into the guest room.

As he looked around the cold, empty house, he suddenly felt strangely uncomfortable. He wasn't used to seeing none of their photos together. He wasn't used to the house not smelling of Aurelia's custom-made scented candles. And most of all, he wasn't used to coming home without her waiting for him.

So, he hurriedly pushed open the door. But when he saw what was inside, he froze.