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All Chapters of Ten Years Wasted on Trash: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

I snatched the cigarette from Jared Sheppard's mouth and took a deep drag. This was a move we'd repeated countless times over the past ten years.The mess stretched from the kitchen all the way to the bed. I often called Jared a wolf in sheep's clothing. He looked like a gentleman on the surface, but was absolutely feral when he was in bed.I slowly blew out a ring of smoke and handed the remaining half of the cigarette back to him, but he refused it."Gabrielle, I'm done fooling around. I'm getting engaged tomorrow."I flipped over and straddled him, the smile at the corner of my mouth impossible to suppress."Ten years, and you're finally ready to propose to me? Do it now. No need to make it so formal. I'll say yes—""It's not with you. She's not like you."Our voices rang out at the same time.Silence fell between us. Jared picked up his phone and held it out in front of me. On the screen was a young woman smiling boldly and freely. She was dressed in clothes with no ident

Chapter 2

I stayed up all night packing up everything in the house, but the physical exhaustion did nothing to quiet my thoughts. Memories of the past continued to race through my mind.I couldn't even remember when I'd become so calm and restrained. Perhaps, just like loving Jared, it had quietly seeped into my being.Jared's assistant, Michael Roarke, arrived very early. The baby-faced young lad looked unusually troubled."Gab—" he began, the word twisting on his tongue before he finally settled on "Ms. Armstrong.""Mr. Sheppard asked me to give these to you. He said once you sign these papers, you should forget about everything that happened over the past few years. This is your compensation."Michael opened the suitcase. Inside, stacks of cash were neatly bundled, and on the very top lay a document.Jared had transferred the subsidiary company I'd been managing to my name."Mr. Sheppard said you should go to the subsidiary…"His words trailed off, but I understood.Jared was making

Chapter 3

Knox and I got into the car.In the rearview mirror, Jared stood there dazed, engulfed in exhaust fumes.Knox always drove very fast, but whenever he was driving me, the ride would always be smooth and steady. He turned the music down and kept glancing at the rearview mirror."Princess," he said softly. "You're not going to abandon me again this time, are you?"I didn't answer him. I just turned my head and studied him.I hadn't seen him in ten years. His hair was still that same half-long, half-short length, sticking up a little in places. Those usually sharp, ruthless-looking eyes were now blinking at me, making him look kind of cute.I couldn't even reconcile him with the boy who'd once clung to me, crying and begging me not to leave.Knox had been sent to my family when he was a kid.When I went bird-nest raiding, he'd bring the ladder. When I cursed someone out, he'd hand me the knife. When I skipped school, he'd take the scolding for me.We grew up together. And the day

Chapter 4

Knox's arrogance clashed violently with his restraint and obedience.Those slightly upturned eyes held a desperate, suppressed plea, and he forced himself so hard that tears welled up instinctively. Yet, he still propped his body up, unwilling to press his full body weight on me even a little bit.I raised my hand, slowly tracing from the bridge of his nose down to caress his soft, red lips.As if granted permission, Knox gently kissed my fingertips, each touch achingly tender.I studied him closely.The raw, almost beastly life force in him was once something I'd desperately avoided. But now, I realized that a person like this—someone covered in sharp thorns yet who showed only gentleness and restraint toward me—was truly the sweetest confession of love."Knox," I said, lightly patting his shoulder. "Get up."He visibly shuddered at the sound of my voice. Still, he straightened his arms, lifting his body little by little."I'm tired," I said softly.He stared at me. His shimm

Chapter 5

I lazily glanced at my phone, smiling as I watched Knox put on his little act.The other end of the line went silent for a very long time."Our regular spot," Jared finally squeezed out through clenched teeth.The beeping of the call ending followed. Knox took the phone from my hand and continued flirting with me."Princess," he said with such tender emotion.I patted his head. "Alright. I'm going to see Jared. You and I have plenty of time in the future."…When I arrived at the cafe, I saw Jared sitting in the seat by the window, just like always. He used to work part-time here, and now, he owned the entire place.The staff kept giving me looks, as if they wanted to say something but didn't dare.I couldn't figure out why he chose to meet here. But since we were already broken up, I didn't feel like wasting brainpower trying to read his mind."Where's the stuff?" I asked, stopping in front of him.He looked up at me and tapped the table. "Sit."I used to like this unhurri

Chapter 6

I had cried as I called him an idiot.Back then, he'd been so careful as he cradled my hand—wrapped in thick bandages like a mummy—and spoke with utmost earnestness."I'm actually quite smart. I just chose to protect my weak spot."Gabby, you're my only weakness. When you appear before me, sunlight ripples around you, and even your hair carries life within it. Even the most beautiful scenery in the world couldn't compare to a small smile from you."If anything happened to you, I'd be nothing but broken bones and dried blood. There'd be no life left in me at all."I was still the same Gabrielle Armstrong, and he was still the same Jared Sheppard. Yet, the man who once said that the most beautiful scenery in the world couldn't compare to me now called me arrogant and insufferable.Back then, he said that I was his weakness, that without me, there'd be no life left in him. Now, he called me greedy, asking how much money it'd take to make me leave.The check that had landed in front

Chapter 7

The day of the wedding drew closer and closer.I tried on my wedding dress again and again, but every single time, Knox would find something he wasn't satisfied with. One moment, he'd say there weren't enough gemstones, and the next, it wasn't luxurious enough to be worthy of me.He enjoyed fussing over it, and I was happy to watch him fuss.When I put on the final version, even the staff standing nearby couldn't help but gasp in admiration. I twirled in front of the mirror, surprised that Knox's taste was so impeccable.Just then, the phone I'd left outside chimed. Jared's name lit up on the screen.Knox's expression immediately darkened. Clutching the phone, he squeezed into the fitting room, looking utterly aggrieved.The already small changing room became even more cramped the moment this huge man forced his way in. But it was like he was oblivious. He merely got down on one knee so that I could sit on his leg, then wrapped me securely in his arms."Princess," he murmured, h

Chapter 8

Jared's tux looked a little messy, and on his wrist was the red string I'd returned to him.Before I could say a word, Knox's fist flew. Jared was no match for him at all, and he went down without even having a chance to fight back.Michael, who'd chased after him, was stopped by our bodyguards, too. Helpless, he could only run to me for help."Gabrielle, please help Jared! It's all my fault. I accidentally let it slip that you were getting married. He ditched his bride there and dragged us all here, saying he was going to steal you back!"I looked at Michael's face, already bruised in places. He must have taken a beating downstairs already.I couldn't understand Jared at all. He was the one who wanted to end things, so why was he here pulling this "steal the bride" act now?Knox dealt with him quickly. Jared, battered and bruised, was held off to the side.Kneeling in front of me again, Knox lifted his head, looking up at me with pure devotion.I lowered my voice. "Jared comin

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