Something Blue, Someone New

I still can't shake the memory of that humiliating moment when Henry Crawford abandoned me at our own engagement party.The banquet hall was crowded, yet eerily silent. The atmosphere was so tense you could hear every breath in the room. The silence stretched on until Charlotte Reynolds, her hand firmly clasped in Henry's, finally broke it with a gentle plea:"Henry, please don't... Sarah's still so young...""Young?" A scornful whisper drifted from the corner. "Isn't she pushing twenty-six?"The growing murmurs only made the tension more unbearable. I desperately clung to the edge of Henry's jacket, refusing to accept what was happening. When I finally looked up at him, I couldn't hold back my tears."Sarah, don't force me to be cruel," Henry said, carefully setting down his champagne glass as he rose from his seat. "How many times must I repeat myself? We're nothing more than the product of our families' arrangement. I don't love you—I never have and never will."Fighting b

"Sarah, will you attend Henry's and my engagement ceremony?" Charlotte's voice was gentle. "Though you were Henry's former fiancée, he's always considered you like a sister. As your future sister-in-law, I truly hope to have your blessing."I lifted my gaze to the figure in the distance. There he was, leaning casually against the luxury car, his eyes filled with gentleness. In that moment, my heart found its peace."Of course. I sincerely wish you both endless happiness together."Meanwhile, Henry stood drinking with friends on the terrace, his eyes occasionally drifting toward Emily's group. He understood their habits all too well. That group had always been Sarah's informants, without fail reporting back to her. Just like clockwork, whenever a woman appeared in his life, they would immediately alert Sarah, who would then arrive to create a scene. It was this endless cycle that he despised most. Over time, he had gradually distanced himself from female companions.He expected

But when he first met that girl, their relationship was the closest. When she fell down, he was the one who carried her to the hospital. When she was bullied, he was the first to rush to the scene and stand up for her. Even when she got her first period, he was the one who went to buy necessities late at night.She saw him as her support, and as she grew up, he became her whole world. He actually liked her dependence on him. When did things start to go wrong? Henry suddenly felt lost.Charlotte's sobbing brought his thoughts back to reality. Yes, she was the one who changed first. After she grew up, she was spoiled by her family until she became uncontrollable. Her personality became increasingly willful, domineering and controlling. She wouldn't let him associate with any girls and would throw tantrums over nothing.So he grew increasingly annoyed and distant from her, even insisting on sending her to study in Silverbrook Haven despite her tearful protests. He did this on

Because of that, I believed he had silently accepted and welcomed my love. These past few years felt like a terrible dream. Now that I've awakened, I just want to settle accounts with the past.I thought Henry would be eager to return the ring like throwing away trash. I never expected him to say such things. Only now did I realize belatedly that youthful impulses would one day come at a price. If this ring didn't carry that special meaning, I wouldn't even ask for it back. But I was about to enter marriage - leaving the ring with Henry would be too unfair to William."Having some trouble?" William suddenly spoke.I looked up, meeting his deep gaze. An indescribable embarrassment welled up inside me. I didn't want to hide anything, but our relationship was still new, and it was difficult to explain."No," I shook my head gently, thinking to myself that I'd get the item back even if I had to ask Mark for help. Having made up my mind, I gradually relaxed."Nothing major, just some s

The timing was indeed tight. But the Barnes put exceptional care into this wedding. They had begun preparations many years ago, so although busy, everything progressed smoothly.Rachel told me that William had been seriously ill as a child. After his recovery, the Barnes specially invited a master to read his fortune. They were told he must marry in June at age twenty-eight. This would ensure a life of peace and success.The Barnes family was very superstitious. When Rachel first called to discuss this marriage, the Barnes had already had our birth charts analyzed. They said William and I were a match made in heaven, destined to be together. So when I agreed to the marriage, the entire Barnes family was overjoyed.I received many precious welcome gifts. The most touching was a hereditary emerald necklace from William's grandmother. When William gave it to me, I felt both moved and guilty. The most appropriate thing I should give him in return was my father's emerald ring that he had