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Chapter 4

Autor: Maroon Cypress
"Since your dad went bankrupt, we've had to take you in. You're just used goods. Poor Adrian, he's been suffering all these years."

I sneered.

"You're a cultured and well-educated family? Yet, you allowed your son to cheat and marry a bar hostess?"

Jessie shouted angrily, "Shut your mouth! How dare you call my future sister-in-law a bar hostess? Rosalind may sing at the bar, but she's independent and doesn't rely on men. She has remained faithful to my brother by staying a virgin. A shameless slut like you can never measure up to her."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"She's a virgin? What, did you witness that when they had sex the first time?"

Hearing this, Adrian's father was so enraged that he lifted a trembling finger at me.

"You vulgar woman! Get the hell out of my house."

I was about to say that I paid for this house, and if anyone should leave, it should be them.

Before I could say anything, the door opened, and Adrian walked in with an arm around Rosalind.

When he saw everyone there, he was momentarily shocked.

Groaning, Rosalind lay on my favorite couch, casually draping my scarf over herself.

Before I could say anything to tell her to put it down, Adrian rushed over and yanked the scarf off her.

"Don't use that."

His eyes showed obvious disdain. Rosalind's lips curled into a smirk.

"Adrian, I don't mind if it's filthy. After all, Colleen didn't ask to be sexually abused three years ago…"

I stared at them coldly.

Rosalind stood up once more, as if trying to adjust her position, but she intentionally let her bag slip, and out fell the property deed.

Covering her mouth, she exclaimed, "Ah, sorry, Adrian's gift fell out."

As she bent down to pick it up, I snatched it away.

That was when I saw that this home of ours had at some point been transferred to Rosalind's name.

For the past three years, I had never cared about these things. But now, he didn't seem bothered that I had sullied the house by being there and had, in fact, given it to Rosalind as a gift.

I picked up the property deed and asked Adrian, “Do you have anything to say?”

A flash of guilt crossed his eyes. He stammered, unable to speak properly, while his parents spoke up behind him.

"Adrian, what are you afraid of? You've been defending this slut for three years. Look at what others have been saying about you. Let's just sever ties with her once and for all."

In the end, Adrian made his decision. He pulled Rosalind close, intertwining their fingers together.

"Colleen, I'm sorry, but as you can see, Rosie and I are together now. I can't keep dragging this on with you. Given your current status, you won't be allowed into the Johnson family. I hope you understand."

I stared at him.

"Why, Adrian? Do you really think I'm tainted just because of that kidnapping incident? But I've proven otherwise to you. Besides, if you truly love me, these things wouldn't matter…"

Adrian suddenly interrupted me harshly. "Enough!"

"Colleen, that's enough. I did love you, so I've tried my best, but I just can't bring myself to touch you. Every time I do, I feel like I'm going to puke. I've seen a psychologist, and I've suffered for three years. Why can't you understand?"

I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

"Jerk! If that's really how you feel, you could have told me. But instead, you chose to hurt me with betrayal."

Adrian's parents were taken aback, stunned by what I had done. They charged toward me, ready to strike.

But then, I stepped back and opened the door.

A group of burly men stormed in from outside, forming a protective circle around me and glaring menacingly at the Johnson family.

I smiled and spoke.

"Adrian, take your family and get lost. I never want to see you again."

At my threat, Adrian spat out harshly, "Colleen, you're the one without money now. I wonder how long you can afford to keep these people around. If you have the guts, don't spend a dime of my money."
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  • The Mourning of Love   Chapter 10

    Finally, the truth seemed to dawn on Adrian. He looked at me, his eyes wide with terror. "Caleb Lamb? You two have the same surname. Colleen, who exactly is he to you?"I smiled. "Oh, you didn't know? Caleb is my godbrother, but starting today, he's my husband."Adrian's eyes reddened, and his body wobbled. "So… The Lamb family was never bankrupt… I've been the fool all along…"I nodded. "Who told you the Lamb family went bankrupt? How do you think your startup took off so fast if not for the power behind it? You're destined to be a nobody, Adrian. Even when opportunities came, you couldn't hold onto them. How pathetic."Then, right in front of him, I called out to Caleb sweetly, "Honey, let's head upstairs. Don't keep our guests waiting."Our wedding ceremony was about to begin. I couldn't be bothered to waste another word on Adrian. Linking my arm with Caleb's, I turned and walked away.Behind us, Adrian let out a low, pained groan. He slumped by the door, slowly sinking to his

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    It didn't stop there. Adrian's company completely collapsed. He didn't realize that most of his past business partners had only worked with him out of respect for my dad.Once he publicly abandoned me, every partner reacted the moment I left Aleria. They terminated all contracts with Johnson Corp and demanded immediate settlement of every outstanding payment.Adrian drowned in grief over losing me, and his haughty parents struggled daily with creditors, living miserably.They sold every car and property, but it wasn't enough. They had to live in hiding, constantly on the run.The matrimonial home eventually ended up back in my hands. But since filth had lived in it, I wanted nothing to do with the place. I had Caleb sell it at a bargain.The Johnsons' chaotic downfall truly began.Meanwhile, I enjoyed an unprecedentedly peaceful life abroad, occasionally glancing at their miserable news. Life had never been sweeter.Months passed, and Rosalind finally gave birth.Adrian never m

  • The Mourning of Love   Chapter 8

    Rosalind laughed, covering her face. "Yes, I'm a bitch. But Adrian, you're no saint either. You destroyed your own happiness. How's that my problem?"After that day, she vanished.My friends in Aleria told me that whenever they passed by the Johnson residence, screams of a woman could sometimes be heard from inside.Adrian's company, which was about to go public, collapsed. His business partners abandoned him, and the Johnson family's empire stalled completely.I was surprised. In just a few days, things had escalated far beyond what I imagined.I looked at Caleb. Light reflected off his glasses, and a faint smirk appeared on his lips.Suddenly, I jumped. "Caleb, did you leak all this? What exactly are you?"He scratched the tip of his nose, looking awkward."Colleen, about that, I owe you an apology. I was the one who asked for your help for the rescue three years ago. But I'd prepared everything. I would never have let you get hurt."I was too stunned to speak.Caleb had an

  • The Mourning of Love   Chapter 7

    Dad never questioned Caleb's decisions. Not once.But I froze, staring at the hand Caleb was holding. A strange flutter rose in my chest.Inside the room, Caleb gently pressed me onto the couch and handed me a laptop. His broad frame loomed behind me."Colleen, this is what's happening back in Aleria. Take a look."The screen filled with Adrian's face.Unlike the calm, polished man from the last interview, he now looked wrecked with dark circles under his eyes and desperation written all over him.He was pleading with reporters. "Please, Colleen is missing. Can you help me find her?"Days earlier, Abbie had sent the full truth to every major media outlet.The teenage abduction case from three years ago resurfaced as well.That night, several young ladies had been abducted. Rosalind was one of them.After receiving the mysterious order, I disappeared from the wedding venue. By the time I ended up with the kidnappers, they were discussing ransom, then killing us afterward. The

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    The helicopter hadn't lifted off yet. I held the laptop in my hands, ready to make everything public.Just then, Adrian's call came through.His voice was choked as he asked, "Colleen, where are you? You saw the news, didn't you? I just wanted to explain. I didn't want it to look this messy, but Rosie's in the hospital. I can't let her worry, and I don't want anything to happen to the baby. I hope you understand."By the way, why aren't you at home? I plan to give you this apartment as compensation, leave you some money, and even help you get a nursing job at a top hospital. Don't worry. Even if I marry Rosie, I wouldn't just abandon you."Listening to his endless rambling, I suddenly felt irritated. "Adrian, you don't need to do that."I hung up decisively and handed my laptop to Dad's secretary, Abbie Burke, signaling it was time to leave.Seeing that I was finally free, Abbie scooted over. "Ms. Lamb, ready?"I nodded. Smiling, she opened the laptop and slammed the send button

  • The Mourning of Love   Chapter 5

    I slammed the door shut. Whatever feelings I once had for Adrian were completely gone.Outside, I could hear the Johnsons talking. "Hmph! Once she runs out of money, she'll come begging Adrian anyway."By the floor-to-ceiling windows, the bodyguards finished packing everything up for me."Ms. Lamb, Mr. Lamb's helicopter will arrive on the rooftop tomorrow. We apologize for the inconvenience of having you stay here for the night."…On my last day there, just as I was about to head out, my best friend called and told me to turn on the TV immediately.It was still early. I opened my laptop, and a live interview featuring Adrian popped up.Turns out that after I kicked them out last night, Rosalind had suddenly developed severe stomach pain and was rushed to the hospital.A reporter recognized Adrian as the rising star of the industry and immediately sensed a juicy story.Rosalind was inside the hospital on bed rest, while Adrian was being interviewed right outside her ward.Cle

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