When Love Turns to Dust のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 9

The room was warm and toasty, yet a chill ran down my spine.Just moments ago, Charles had been all sweet whispers and soft caresses, but then his words cut through me, leaving me reeling.I paused, a weak smile tugging at my lips."Charles, you're pulling my leg, right?"He looked at me, long and hard, before letting out a derisive chuckle. "Jennifer, come on, we're grown-ups. It was just a bit of fun, a fling. You didn't think it was more than that, did you?"I stayed silent, my eyes cast down to shield the storm of feelings within.To him, our three-year whirlwind was just a game, but not to me. I had fallen for him, hard, and that feeling had lasted a whole decade.We were the kids who grew up side by side in the same neighborhood, the kind of friends who shared every childhood adventure.Charles was always the one everyone looked up to, not big on chit-chat, with an air of mystery about him.However, it was that very Charles who, cheeks red with embarrassment, bought me m

Rose said it matter-of-factly, which left me momentarily stunned, staring at her in shock.Rose did not care for my response and continued speaking, her voice dripping with sarcasm."I had barely left the country for my studies, and you immediately got into Capital Heights University. Were you that eager to steal someone else's man?"I tried to protest, to tell him that it was Charles who had talked me into volunteering, but the words just would not come out. They were lodged in my throat, stubborn and unmoving."However, no matter how hard you try, you're just a secret mistress, a nobody. What makes you think you can even hold a candle to me?"The moment I got back, Charles couldn't wait to kick you to the curb and come ask for my hand. Take a hint and beat it. Don't stick around like some annoying cling-on that nobody wants."Her words stung, leaving me feeling utterly humiliated. I was about to defend myself when Rose dialed a number.With a taunting smile aimed at me, she cr

I looked up, my face streaked with tears and sweat, and saw my mom in the doorway.A tall, good-looking guy was with her.Mom's eyes were a mix of worry and anger as she rushed over and pulled me to my feet."Sweetie, I'm so sorry I'm late. You've been through so much."I burst into tears and hugged her tight, letting out all my hurt and frustration."Mom, please, I can't stay here anymore. Take me home."She stroked my back, her voice soft but pained. "Of course, we're leaving this awful place right now."The man behind her quickly stepped up to lift me in his arms.However, as we headed out, Charles blocked the door.He could not even look Mom in the eye, but he tried to sound in control."Mrs. Shaw, who's this guy, and where are you taking Jennifer?"Mom shot him a withering glare."Mr. Jones, you're engaged, remember? It's none of your business where I take my daughter. Out of our way! If you try to stop me one more time, be prepared to face the wrath of the Shaw family

Right then, I was on the plane heading back to Nantleton. The guy who showed up at the hospital with my mom? That was Howard Peterson, head of the Peterson family, who also turned out to be the date my mom had set me up with. In Nantleton, the Petersons are like celebrities, top of the top four big-deal families, with a legacy that's rock solid and businesses all over the map. Howard took the reins of the family empire when he was just a kid and turned it into a total success story. Since my dad died in that crash, it had been just my mom keeping our family business afloat.We had grown, sure, but we were still not in the same league as the Petersons. I could not help but wonder, so I asked her on the down-low, "Mom, you didn't, like, sell out to the Petersons, did you? How else would Howard end up on a blind date with me?"In the small town of Nantleton, the Peterson family was like local royalty, and the line of ladies hoping to snag a Peterson was longer than the wait for th

The fitting room's curtain swished open.Howard's eyes were just lighting up with joy when Charles barged into the picture.The guy who was always so put-together was then a hot mess—hair all over the place, clothes a wreck, and a five o'clock shadow darkening his jaw. He looked like he had been through the wringer.He stared at me like we were the only two people in the world and muttered."Jennifer, you're my girl. You can't marry him."I scowled, ice in my voice."Get a grip, Charles. We were never an item."He stiffened, then shook his head, eyes brimming as he reached out to hug me."Jennifer, I know you're still mad."I've called off the engagement with the Canfields, and Rose? Her dad shipped her off to Mr. Wallace in Capital City. She's got her just desserts."Mr. Wallace from Capital City? Even out there in Nantleton, I have heard about Jack Wallace, infamous for his cruelty."Jen, you look stunning in that wedding gown. Come back with me, and I'll buy you a thous