All Chapters of Lost Love, Gained Bliss: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Joanna Horton's scream tore through the air, hoarse and desperate.That raw cry of pain and grief finally caught Theo Brook's attention.Moments later, the door creaked open, and Theo walked in. He looked down at her pained expression and smirked with a mix of mockery and disgust.He marched over, grabbed her wrist roughly, and snapped, "Cut the act. Don't you ever think you'll soften me with this stunt. I'm telling you, it won't work."Joanna glared up at him, anger boiling in her chest. Her fury rose so quickly that she coughed up a mouthful of blood.Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.Theo stood frozen. That was when he finally noticed the large, spreading pool of bright red beneath her.The disgust in his eyes shifted into pure panic.He pulled her into his arms and shouted, "Call an ambulance! Someone, hurry!"As Joanna was being carried out on the stretcher, the rosary bracelet Theo always wore suddenly snapped.The beads scattered across the floor, glin

Joanna got a quick reply. [Really? That's amazing, sweetheart![I'm so glad you finally came around. I'm not trying to force you to come home and get married. Your dad and I simply found out that Theo really isn't a good match, and we're worried about you.]She could almost see her mother's warm, gentle smile.She still remembered that moment in her last life when she watched through the window as her mother cried, heartbroken in her father's arms.Her mother kept apologizing over and over, while her father was so full of regret that he slapped himself across the face.They even begged Theo to talk her into seeing them just one more time.But what they didn't know was that she'd been right there. She was like some wounded animal trapped in the dark, screaming silently in her heart for someone to save her.Just thinking about it made tears slip down Joanna's cheeks.At that moment, loud noises erupted outside.She looked up and saw Theo walking in with his arm wrapped aroun

Joanna was placed under house arrest in the villa.It was the home Theo had prepared for their future together. Everything in it—from the renovations down to the smallest decorations—had been picked out by her.She once thought this would be her safe place. She never imagined it would turn into a cage.After returning to the room, she pulled out her phone and started typing a message to her mother, briefly explaining what had happened to her.At the end, she added, [Please help me fake my death.]Since she'd mentioned she couldn't talk on the phone, a reply came quickly. [Okay, sweetheart. I'm so sorry you're going through this.[Give it two weeks, tops. I'll take care of everything and come get you.]As Joanna read that, her eyes welled up with tears.In her previous life, when she was locked away in a villa near the monastery, she had tried to reach out to her parents, but Theo had taken her phone away.This time, she was going to ask for help before he had the chance to rea

Theo flinched a little at Sharon's smile. He was clearly annoyed, but he still tried to keep his cool.He said to Joanna, "You're not like Sharon. She has her parents' love, and she comes from a wealthy family. She can afford to throw tantrums."But you're an orphan. You only have me to rely on. So be a good girl and stay by my side, okay?"A flicker of jealousy flashed in Sharon's eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. She took on a soft, persuasive tone as she spoke to Joanna."I know I used to be spoiled and selfish, and that's probably why you hate me. But I really want to mend our relationship. Ever since I found out you told Theo to come save me from the rooftop, I decided to change things between us."I don't want much. Just a little of Theo's love—that's all. You can have the rest. So please, stop being mad at him and don't leave him, okay?"Theo looked deeply moved. He couldn't believe someone like Sharon, who never tolerated even the smallest slight, would humble hersel

That night, Theo hosted a beach party for Sharon's birthday.They'd all grown up together, and their friend group had stayed close. So, no one bothered with formalities—everyone just spoke their mind.Hector Wolfe, one of Theo's childhood buddies, suddenly asked Theo, "Is it true you're keeping that orphan girlfriend of yours tucked away in a villa out in the suburbs?"Everyone turned to look.A few of the rich girls there couldn't help glancing over at Sharon, who was sitting next to Theo.Sharon shot Hector a sharp glare. Seriously? He just had to bring that up now?Seeing the look on Theo's face darken, Sharon quickly stepped in and said, "Yeah. She's been with Theo for years, after all. And he's not the kind of guy who'd just toss someone aside. Giving her a place to stay is just his way of honoring their past."Because of the longstanding ties between the Brooks and Coopers, Theo didn't deny any of it.Everyone took his silence as a sign that he really didn't care about