All Chapters of This Time, I'm Done Chasing Their Shadows: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Lily's POVI sat by the flowerbed for what seemed like an eternity. Then, they emerged from the restaurant, escorting Rose."Lily!" She ran over and grabbed my shoulder. She asked, "Why did you come out alone?"I instinctively flinched, but I replied, "I'm full, so I came out for some fresh air.""Perfect timing." She let go of me, glanced back at Mom and Dad who had followed us, and said, "Mom and Dad have something to tell you."Mom and Dad looked at each other.Mom spoke first, "Lily, your dad and I actually filed for divorce before the college entrance exam. We kept it from you two because we didn't want it to affect your performance."Dad continued, sounding almost relieved, as though he had finally checked something off his list. "Now that Rose did so well, we can finally be at ease. There are only a few days left before the divorce is finalized. After that, we'll each go our separate ways."For a moment, my mind went completely blank. It wasn't because Mom and Dad were g

Lily's POVMy cheeks were burning, but my heart ached even more.I remembered the winter in my second year of high school, when Rose accidentally lost the certificate she had received from a speech competition. She cried, saying that the certificate was very important to her. It was snowing heavily, but Shane and my parents followed the route she had taken home and searched for it all night. Later, Shane begged the school to issue her another copy, while Dad pulled some strings to get the education bureau to stamp it for her.Back then, no one blamed her for not keeping her certificate safe. But now that it was me, simply questioning her earned me a slap and a barrage of angry accusations.Rose's eyes were red as she sobbed, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have helped her get her file. Why did I have to meddle? Now I've just made everyone angry…"The moment Mom saw her like that, she became even angrier. She grabbed my hand and forced it around her neck. "Come on, Lily! How about I

Lily's POVI clutched my soaking-wet bag to my chest and crouched beneath the eaves as I called a locksmith. Huddled in the corner, I looked like an abandoned stray cat.The locksmith arrived on his electric scooter in the rain, also soaked to the bone. He glanced at the lock and said bluntly, "200 dollars."I emptied my pockets and pulled out crumpled five- and ten-dollar bills, all damp from the rain. I spread them across my palm.I counted them again and again, but I was still far short. "Sir, could you… charge me a little less?"The locksmith took out his tools, sounding impatient. "I hate dealing with people like you. You live in a fancy villa, and you can't even scrape together 200 dollars?"I didn't say anything. I simply lowered my head even further. I really couldn't afford it.If it were Rose, she probably wouldn't have ended up in such a sorry state. She got 200 dollars in pocket money every month, while I had to save up every single dollar.The lock cylinder turned

Third-Person POVFrancine stood frozen in place for several seconds. Then, she suddenly exclaimed and grabbed Robert. "Robert, did you hear that? Rose is the state's top scorer! The heavens are smiling down on us!"Robert stumbled back from the action, too stunned to say anything. He simply grinned.Shane stood at the back of the crowd, frowning in confusion. He had scored 50 points higher than Rose. Furthermore, he had checked the state rankings the day they were released, and the highest score was 1580. How could Rose possibly be the state's top scorer? "Hang on." He stepped forward. "Is there some mistake?"Yet, Robert stood proudly in front of the cameras. "That's right! We're the parents of the state's top scorer!"People waiting nearby turned to look, and a woman clapped her hands and said, "Oh my! You two are so lucky to have raised a top scorer! You two will be set for life!"Another old man gave a thumbs up. "Look at that young lady! She's beautiful and successful! You

Third-person POVShane suddenly lifted his head, his face flushed red as he frantically waved his hands."No! Stop making things up! I genuinely like Lily. Rose is just a friend I've known since we were kids."The moment he said that, Rose spun around, her eyes filled with disbelief."What did you say? Shane Hudson, say that again."Under her stare, Shane felt his scalp tingle. His lips moved, but no words came out.A staff member pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, asking, "So, are you two getting divorced today or not? There are other people waiting."Francine's nose stung. She grabbed the agreement that had nearly been signed and tore it straight down the middle with a loud rip."We're not getting divorced. I need to find Lily… and apologize to her in person."Robert nodded as well, his voice hoarse. "We neglected Lily all these years… That was our fault. This divorce… can wait."Rose staggered back two steps weakly. She screamed, "Why? Why are you suddenly takin