Ten Years Wasted on Trash

I stayed up all night packing up everything in the house, but the physical exhaustion did nothing to quiet my thoughts. Memories of the past continued to race through my mind.I couldn't even remember when I'd become so calm and restrained. Perhaps, just like loving Jared, it had quietly seeped into my being.Jared's assistant, Michael Roarke, arrived very early. The baby-faced young lad looked unusually troubled."Gab—" he began, the word twisting on his tongue before he finally settled on "Ms. Armstrong.""Mr. Sheppard asked me to give these to you. He said once you sign these papers, you should forget about everything that happened over the past few years. This is your compensation."Michael opened the suitcase. Inside, stacks of cash were neatly bundled, and on the very top lay a document.Jared had transferred the subsidiary company I'd been managing to my name."Mr. Sheppard said you should go to the subsidiary…"His words trailed off, but I understood.Jared was making

Knox's arrogance clashed violently with his restraint and obedience.Those slightly upturned eyes held a desperate, suppressed plea, and he forced himself so hard that tears welled up instinctively. Yet, he still propped his body up, unwilling to press his full body weight on me even a little bit.I raised my hand, slowly tracing from the bridge of his nose down to caress his soft, red lips.As if granted permission, Knox gently kissed my fingertips, each touch achingly tender.I studied him closely.The raw, almost beastly life force in him was once something I'd desperately avoided. But now, I realized that a person like this—someone covered in sharp thorns yet who showed only gentleness and restraint toward me—was truly the sweetest confession of love."Knox," I said, lightly patting his shoulder. "Get up."He visibly shuddered at the sound of my voice. Still, he straightened his arms, lifting his body little by little."I'm tired," I said softly.He stared at me. His shimm

I had cried as I called him an idiot.Back then, he'd been so careful as he cradled my hand—wrapped in thick bandages like a mummy—and spoke with utmost earnestness."I'm actually quite smart. I just chose to protect my weak spot."Gabby, you're my only weakness. When you appear before me, sunlight ripples around you, and even your hair carries life within it. Even the most beautiful scenery in the world couldn't compare to a small smile from you."If anything happened to you, I'd be nothing but broken bones and dried blood. There'd be no life left in me at all."I was still the same Gabrielle Armstrong, and he was still the same Jared Sheppard. Yet, the man who once said that the most beautiful scenery in the world couldn't compare to me now called me arrogant and insufferable.Back then, he said that I was his weakness, that without me, there'd be no life left in him. Now, he called me greedy, asking how much money it'd take to make me leave.The check that had landed in front

Jared's tux looked a little messy, and on his wrist was the red string I'd returned to him.Before I could say a word, Knox's fist flew. Jared was no match for him at all, and he went down without even having a chance to fight back.Michael, who'd chased after him, was stopped by our bodyguards, too. Helpless, he could only run to me for help."Gabrielle, please help Jared! It's all my fault. I accidentally let it slip that you were getting married. He ditched his bride there and dragged us all here, saying he was going to steal you back!"I looked at Michael's face, already bruised in places. He must have taken a beating downstairs already.I couldn't understand Jared at all. He was the one who wanted to end things, so why was he here pulling this "steal the bride" act now?Knox dealt with him quickly. Jared, battered and bruised, was held off to the side.Kneeling in front of me again, Knox lifted his head, looking up at me with pure devotion.I lowered my voice. "Jared comin