All Chapters of Lest Love Stain the Spring: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Curled up on the plush carpet, I hugged my knees to my chest, numb fingers mindlessly scrolling through my phone.And that was when I stumbled upon Heidi's latest post.She had just shared a picture of the "Only Star in the Galaxy"—a pink diamond so rare and dazzling it looked as if it had been plucked straight from the heavens.I still remembered how Cassian had fought tooth and nail for that diamond at the auction, going back and forth with rival bidders for dozens of rounds before finally winning it.Everyone had assumed, without a shadow of doubt, that he had bought it for me.But now, that very same diamond was perched prettily on Heidi's delicate hand.The caption beneath the photo read: [Who says a fleeting moment of brilliance can't rival a lifetime of companionship? Grateful to God for letting me meet you.]Fleeting moment of brilliance. Lifetime of companionship.I stared at the words, feeling the sting in their hidden meanings.Without thinking, I clicked open my ch

After packing my things with embarrassing simplicity, I officially moved into the school's dormitory.At the same time, I began discreetly scouting around for a suitable apartment to rent. I was determined to sever ties completely and move out of Cassian's house for good.During this period, Richard called me a few times.Although I had agreed to be his girlfriend, he showed remarkable patience in the face of my distant and evasive attitude.Richard had always been the campus golden boy: impeccable family background, devastatingly handsome — the kind of man who could make a path of swooning admirers wherever he walked. There were no shortage of girls at school who had confessed their affections for him, or at least sighed about it from afar.Our paths had crossed during the university's stock market simulation competition — an event so cutthroat it could make even seasoned Wall Street traders break into a cold sweat. I had defeated him to take the championship trophy, and, ever si

I turned to Heidi and asked, "Did you light an incense diffuser in the house?"Before she could even muster a reply, I was already lunging toward my backpack, frantically digging out my protective mask and asthma medication. My doctor had warned me repeatedly—under no circumstances was I to be exposed to allergens again. The consequences, he said, would be unimaginable.Hands trembling, I clumsily strapped the mask over my face, but when I turned back around, I was met not with concern—oh no—but with Cassian's deepening scowl, his expression darkening by the second."I'm talking to you," he barked. "What the hell do you mean by putting on that mask?"Heidi gave me a pitiful and innocent look. "What's wrong, Zora? You don't like the scent I picked?"My breathing grew harsher, more ragged, but Cassian seemed blind to the agony written all over my face. He thought I was putting on a show—playing some cheap, theatrical stunt to avoid his accusations. With a roar of anger, he snatche

Richard's family, the Hendersons, was one of the most illustrious and revered dynasties in Monterra.Richard, the sole heir to this prestigious lineage, had been raised in an atmosphere of love, elegance, and rarefied liberalism. So when his parents learned of his shockingly impulsive decision to marry, they were, quite understandably, taken aback. But after the initial surprise, they simply smiled, embracing the situation with an open-minded grace that few could manage. They respected their son's choice, no matter how unconventional.Thus Richard began the meticulous arrangements for me to meet his parents.As an orphan with neither family name nor lineage to boast of, I was a bundle of nerves. Dark imaginings plagued me—visions of disdain, disapproval, perhaps even accusations that I had bewitched their precious son. But none of those fears came to pass.From the moment I stepped into their grand home, I was enveloped by a warmth so pure, it almost made me weep. Richard's fat

Ever since that disastrous incident at the wedding venue, the Henderson family had wasted no time in switching to a new wedding planning company. They also issued strict orders for absolute secrecy—no leaks, no whispers, not a hint of scandal.And just like that, I never saw Cassian again.I assumed our lives would simply continue like parallel lines that would never intersect again.The preparations for the wedding went surprisingly smoothly. Rudy and Kathleen were considerate, always respecting my opinions, yet never burdening me with any exhausting details.When the official announcement of our wedding date was made, blessings and congratulations poured in from every corner.On the eve of the ceremony, a few of my closest friends and former classmates gathered at my place, fussing over my bridal look, chatting, laughing, and filling the house with comforting noise.After sending them off to their waiting car downstairs, I returned to my apartment—only to freeze in shock.Cass