When Love Withered

The strong liquor was forced down Shawn's throat before he could react. His esophagus felt like it was burning.He started coughing uncontrollably as red hives broke out across his body.The liquor soaked his clothes, leaving him looking miserable.Shawn clawed weakly at his throat. His airway felt blocked, and he suddenly couldn't breathe."Jenna, Shawn's allergic to alcohol. How could you force him to drink?" Leonard asked with feigned concern."Leo, she's only doing it for you," one of Jenna's friends stepped over and explained. "If Shawn ends up in the hospital, he won't have a chance to tell Velmont University he changed his mind."Then his spot there will be yours."Shawn heard every word they said, but he couldn't focus on any of it. The allergic reaction was already causing him excruciating pain.He reached out and grabbed the hem of Jenna's pants, pleading helplessly, "Jenna… I can't breathe… Help me!""Jenna, take Shawn to the hospital. I'm fine. We can celebrate ano

Shawn felt like he couldn't breathe from the pain in his chest.So in Jenna's eyes, he was nothing more than a man obsessed with money and status."Now that we've broken up, do you really expect me to keep these gifts?" he said. "I'm not going to that college, and I won't take the scholarship."These clothes were a gift from my mom."Before he could say more, Jenna cut him off.She grabbed him roughly. "I don't want to hear your excuses. You're coming to the auditorium and apologizing to Leonard in front of the entire school!"Her voice was firm and left no room for argument.She pressed her fingers into Shawn's wound, hard enough to tear it open. Blood immediately began to seep out.Jenna knew Shawn had a bleeding disorder, but she didn't care.She half-dragged him to the auditorium, where all the students were already seated.Jenna shoved the microphone toward Shawn and commanded, "Apologize. Now."Shawn braced himself with both hands as dizziness and chills swept through

"Enough!" Jenna couldn't stand listening to Shawn's lies get more outrageous. "You're such a liar!"Leonard pretended to hold Jenna back as he spoke up for Shawn. "Jenna, I think Shawn just lost his way for a while. That's why he ended up working as a male escort and even going after wealthy women," he said. "Maybe you should use your family's influence to talk to the school board."Don't let them expel Shawn. At least let him graduate."Just as he said that, the angry parents immediately erupted."We won't accept that!""How can a student who has shamed the school and ruined its reputation be allowed to stay?"If the school doesn't do something about this, we'll pull our kids out!"He was going to be expelled?Shawn's eyes widened in shock, his voice trembling. "Why expel me? I haven't done anything!"Jenna looked at Shawn coldly. "Everyone, rest assured. Westcreek High will never protect or make excuses for a student with such poor character."Not even the valedictorian w

"This is the diploma you specifically asked me to prepare for Shawn." The teacher handed Jenna the diploma, patted her shoulder, and walked away.As Leonard stared at Shawn's diploma, he struggled to find the words."Jenna, what's going on?" he asked. "Wasn't Shawn expelled? Didn't the parents' committee…"Jenna carefully slid the diploma into its tube and answered lightly, "Giving them an explanation didn't mean I actually had to expel Shawn."Westcreek High is the best high school in town. They were just making threats, and they were never actually going to pull their kids out."Besides, if Shawn was really expelled, how would he ever get into college? Even my family's influence can't change the rules."As she spoke, she walked out of the auditorium."I said it to keep the parents' committee happy and to stop Shawn from making a scene. That way, he'll stay in school and focus on his studies."Her revelation made Leonard stop in his tracks.He lowered his eyes, digging his fi

He was going home.Shawn froze for a moment, and tears welled up in his eyes.He had always thought he was an orphan. After Beatrice died, he believed he had no one left.Even though he had known for years that his biological parents lived in Harborton, he had never expected to meet them so soon.He had planned to fly straight from Kingstown to Astoria, finish college, then deal with his past.But after hearing what had happened to him, Laura had been so distraught that she insisted Hilary bring him home.Hilary respected his wishes and asked if he was okay with it.Shawn agreed.The moment he had heard Laura's tearful voice over the phone, he had made up his mind.He wanted to go home.-Outside Harborton Airport, an expensive-looking luxury van was waiting.As soon as Shawn and Hilary approached, the man waiting outside opened the doors for them."Mr. Jamison, Ms. Lindon, please get in."The man loaded their luggage into the van with care. Shawn wasn't used to this kind