The One That Got Away

Quentin Langley flew to my side that very night. “Did you really agree? You’re not teasing me, are you? When I first proposed the union of the Smiths and Langleys, you immediately ran off to Marina Sands, and the matter was left unresolved.”Looking at the man before me, whose cheeks were flushed with nervous excitement, I gently patted his hand and smiled faintly. “That one is an important matter. Prepare well for it. Once I’ve finished dealing with things in Marina Sands, I’ll return to Arcania to reunite with you.”“Thank you for giving me another chance. I thought you wouldn’t come back after leaving.” His eyes glistened, like those of a stray puppy longing for a home.After parting with Quentin, I immediately called a moving company to pack my belongings. Halfway through packing, Justin Nolan returned. He walked into the chaotic apartment, his voice low and angry. “What are you doing, Viola?”I set down the suitcase in my hands and gazed at the face that had captivat

This must be the difference between love and apathy, I thought to myself. Quentin had made arrangements to care for the cats and dogs I rescued, while Justin used their lives to threaten me. In Marina Sands, I had lived as an ordinary person. I had planned to wait for Justin’s proposal before revealing the truth to him. Losing half of an investment would spell disaster for anyone starting a business. Justin gently took Alice’s hand, his eyes filled with tenderness. “A gem this beautiful deserves to adorn the graceful hand of an artist. Look at your hands—short, stubby, and constantly in surgeries. “Who knows how much blood, waste, and filth they’ve touched? I can hardly stand holding them most of the time.” Unable to watch any longer, Collin stepped forward to mediate. “Those are hands that save lives. They’re the most beautiful of hands. Let’s step outside for a smoke, Justin.” As he left, Justin turned back to look at me. “Don’t overplay the hard-to-get act, Vio

After I agreed to marry Quentin, the first thing he did upon arriving in Marina Sands was to find me. The second thing was to track down the most famous jewelry designer in the country to custom-make a ring for me. To facilitate the communication, the designer and I exchanged phone numbers. During the wait, Justin tenderly blew on Alice's hand as he comforted her. “That worthless stone of hers doesn’t matter. If you wear it, you’ll only lower your status. Don’t worry, I’ll go to Tiffany's and bid on a bespoke gemstone for you.” Then Justin glanced at me with disdain.“Poor people are just pathetic, never having seen anything of value. They treat trash as treasure, with no class at all,” he said sarcastically. I wasn’t about to back down. “Yes, you’re right. I’ve had bad taste, mistaking trash for treasure. But now, I see things clearly. Trash belongs in the trash can, surrounded by other trash, so it doesn’t stink up the place.” “You!” Justin heard the underlying meani

I gazed out the window at the clouds, lost in thought. Quentin was one of the most distinguished young men in Arcania. He stood out in every way. He was the ideal son-in-law for any wealthy family, but despite his status, he seemed bewitched by me and determined to marry only me. His parents respected his choice, and my parents adored their outstanding potential son-in-law. Both our families quickly agreed to finalize the marriage. I acknowledged that Quentin was an exceptional man but I didn’t want to be a housewife trapped in a domestic life. So, I secretly ran to Marina Sands, disguised myself as an ordinary girl, built my career, and fell in love with someone of my own choosing. After seeing my disdain for our political marriage, Quentin went from being an enthusiastic suitor to someone more cautious, eventually deciding not to disturb me. Now, it felt like I had come full circle. Quentin gently took my hand, as if he understood my thoughts. "Don't worry, after

The details of our house had all been designed according to my preferences, and Quentin had even set up a playroom for my beloved rescues. It was clear that Quentin had put a lot of thought into it.Collin often told me about things in Marina Sands, making me laugh out loud."Last time you saw her, Alice had interrupted your engagement party in the middle of her performance. Now, people in the industry really can't stand her. She hasn't had many opportunities since."The Hunts realized that a marriage alliance with the Langleys had become impossible, so they pushed Alice to get with Justin. “But when the Nolans found out that you are the eldest daughter of the Smiths and learned that it was Alice who ruined your relationship with Justin, they called her a tramp and said they would never accept her as a daughter-in-law. “Then after her stepmother found out, she stopped funding Alice and cut up her bank cards. Just a few days ago, Alice came to me to ask for money."Justin stop