All Chapters of Late Love, Empty Hands: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Even though my parents comforted Vicky, they never allowed her back in the house again. Dad stopped personally managing her affairs after that.When she graduated and wanted to study abroad, she came to the house, carrying gifts and pitifully begging my parents for a loan.Mom was a generous woman, so she had her secretary transfer 500 thousand dollars to Vicky.Before leaving, Vicky came to say goodbye and ran into Ivan, who had just returned from graduate studies abroad.The next day, Vicky gave the money back to Mom, saying she had thought it over and decided to stand on her own feet. She would work first and save up enough before going abroad to study.Vicky stood there in plain clothes with a firm expression on her face. Ivan, who was just about to leave, couldn't help but be impressed by her.A month later, Vicky joined my family's company and became Ivan's secretary.I had warned Ivan that Vicky's intentions weren't pure and that she got close to him for a reason.Howeve

My words made Mom and Dad soften their stance. I quickly signaled Ivan.We had a lifelong unspoken agreement. Whenever Ivan wanted to do something Mom and Dad might oppose, I would first smooth things over with them, then he could speak his mind.Ivan said, "Mom, Dad, after I marry Vicky, I'll still care for you. Please approve our marriage."Seeing Ivan beg before them, I pushed even harder.With no way to oppose Ivan anymore, Mom and Dad finally nodded.Ivan could marry Vicky as he wished, and the tragedy of my previous life would not repeat itself.I unclenched my fists and relaxed.After Mom and Dad went to bed, I returned to my own bedroom.I opened my diary, ready to write. Suddenly, the door swung open.I looked up and saw Ivan.He glanced at my notebook, and his expression darkened immediately.As I stood, his hand clamped over my neck."Iris, are you writing about your filthy thoughts of me again?"His hand was large and strong, and I struggled to breathe under

"No, it can't be. Iris is clearly the one…" Ivan trailed off. His eyes were wide, and his breathing was heavy as his chest rose and fell with each gasp.Mom patted Dad's hand gently, comforting him."Iris is our biological daughter. You're the one who was adopted."Dad and Mom had been the first university graduates from their village. After graduating, they stayed in the city to start their own business.Once they found some success, they wanted to help young people from the village who were willing to come with them to the city. This included Ivan's father."At the time, the villagers were desperately poor. Your mother ran away, leaving you with your grandmother and father. Your father could drive, but he was dutiful. He didn't want to leave your grandmother behind in the village. In order to let him live his life freely, your grandmother secretly took her own life."Ivan looked stunned. Even I hadn't known about this before."On her deathbed, your grandmother begged us to tak

Ivan demanded, "Are you avoiding me?"Was the question even necessary? For some reason, he looked angry."Do you really want to see me?" I asked back."As long as you don't have those filthy thoughts about me, I'll treat you like you're my real sister."I looked him in the eyes.I said, "I don't dare to, and I won't. My feelings for you had been burned to ashes during the fire in my previous life."He squeezed my shoulder until it hurt, but at those words, he let go without realizing it."You were reborn, too?" He continued, "So, you chose to avoid me? You plan to marry some random punk and ruin your life like that?"I couldn't read his expression. It held anger, regret, and a touch of frustration all at once."What punk?" When I asked that, he looked incredulous but excited."Is Mr. Hackett in your diary fictional?"But the Mr. Hackett I wrote about wasn't a punk at all. I had only written about the time he rescued me and our dates after that.Marcus and I wandered throu

I was so angry that I raised my hand again, but just then Ivan appeared with Marcus, who was in his business outfit."Iris."Two voices overlapped.Marcus stepped forward quickly and came to my side.In his formal suit and with gold-rimmed glasses, he radiated elegance and a sharp, commanding presence. But I knew his sharpness wasn't directed at me.Ignoring Ivan's stern expression, I clung to Marcus.I said, "Vicky, look here. I have a boyfriend. He's taller, richer, and loves me more than Ivan ever could, and I love him too."Marcus' expression shifted from anger to quiet joy. Immediately, he straightened his posture without saying a single word."You think I don't know what your plan is? You don't want me working here at Goldsmith Group, and you don't want me too close to Ivan. Moreover, you're afraid that I'll use half of the family inheritance to meddle with the company and hurt your interests."I glanced at Ivan and smirked."So this is the kind of woman you like? You'd