Semua Bab Hey, Ugly Duckling: Bab 1 - Bab 8

When I came out of the operating room, my legs were still trembling. As I passed the VIP room, the scene inside made me stop in my tracks."Claire, this is your favorite chicken soup from when you were little." Mom took the soup out of the microwave, carefully tested the temperature, and handed it to Dad.He took it, blew on it gently several times, and only passed it to Byron after confirming it wasn't too hot. And Byron, the man who once said he only loved me, carefully scooped up a spoonful and brought it to Claire's lips."Drink slowly. Don't burn yourself." His voice was so tender it was painful to hear.Claire shyly opened her mouth, but her gaze drifted over his shoulder and met mine at the door. A flash of triumph crossed her eyes before she quickly replaced it with a worried expression."How's Sharon? This is all my fault. I was driving too fast, trying to deliver that scarf she loves so much..."I froze at the doorway. Scarf? I never liked scarves. Growing up, I never o

I returned to my room, soaking wet. I had just changed into dry clothes when Mom and Dad stormed in furiously.Mom grabbed a fistful of my hair. "Claire went out of her way to cook for you, but you had the nerve to throw a tantrum and even push her into the lake? Will you only be satisfied when she's dead?"My scalp burned with pain. My eyes reddened as I grabbed her hand and defended myself for the first time. "I've never hurt anyone. Just now, Claire was the one who pushed me into the lake."After I spoke, I looked at Mom expectantly. I thought they would be shocked, that they would suddenly realize the truth and regret everything.Instead, Mom shook her head forcefully, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Claire is so kind and thoughtful. Why would she do something like that? You're lying."Tears finally fell. How foolish I was to have any expectations of my parents. After all these years, their favoritism had already said everything.Mom grabbed me and dragged me to the hos

Byron's eyes were bloodshot as he clutched the charred ring tightly in his hand.Mom looked anxious. "Byron, say something. Why did you come back? Shouldn't you be at the hospital with Claire?"He jerked his head up, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Is Claire the only person in your hearts? Has Sharon never mattered to you at all?"Mom's eyes flickered. "Claire just had a car accident. She's weak...""Sharon was pregnant. She gave two thousand milliliters of blood to save Claire and almost died on the operating table!" Byron's voice was hoarse. "Did anyone care to ask if she was okay, even once?"Dad frowned. "It's just pregnancy. What woman doesn't go through that? She's being too dramatic.""Dramatic?" Byron kicked over the coffee table. The sound of shattering glass was deafening. "You two don't deserve to be parents!"My parents were frightened by his savage expression and scrambled out of the villa. In the garden, they ran into Claire, who had rushed back.Her face was still st

Three years later, at the University of Ryona in Franco, I walked into the lecture hall carrying my teaching materials. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows onto the students' young faces.Today's topic was philosophical discussions about love."Before we begin, I have a question for everyone." I looked around the classroom. "What do you think love is?"Students eagerly raised their hands. Some said passion, some said companionship, while others said it was the release of dopamine.Just then, a figure in the back row slowly stood up. My breathing stopped when I realized it was Byron.Three years had made him more mature and composed. His features carried more weight, but the tenderness in his eyes remained unchanged."Ms. Lloyd, I'd like to try." His voice was still deep. "From a philosophical perspective, love has many definitions. One famous philosopher believed love was a spiritual pursuit beyond the physical. Another said love was a single soul inhabiting two b