All Chapters of They Only Loved Me after I Left: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

After five years abroad, I never expected the first familiar face I would see upon returning home to be Ivy Lancaster's.She had lost a lot of weight since I last saw her five years ago.Her black dress looked too big for her."Are you here to visit someone's grave too?"I tried to break the awkward silence by making conversation for the sake of it.The shop assistant chimed in."She sure is! Her husband, Casper, is buried in this cemetery. She comes here every week to buy red roses for him. She's so devoted!""Casper?"I repeated the name in disbelief.Five years ago, my name was still Casper Kennedy.Ivy's husband, Jack Kennedy, who used to be my stepbrother, was Dad's illegitimate son.Five years ago, after Jack was diagnosed with depression, everyone secretly arranged his wedding behind my back.His bride was none other than my girlfriend of eight years.How could I possibly be her husband?I smirked and looked at her. I was expecting her to quickly deny the claim.B

Five years ago, when I held my boarding pass and prepared to leave the country, never to return, I had called Riley once.I wanted to tell her that I'd come to terms with everything and wouldn't argue with Jack anymore.I wanted to ask if she could think of me as her little brother once more.But as soon as the call connected, she angrily cut me off before I could say a word."Casper! Just because Mom died, it doesn't mean you can forget everything she taught you about being a decent person!"If Ivy and Dad hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known you'd deliberately pulled that alcohol poisoning stunt just to ruin Jack's wedding because you couldn't stand seeing him happy. Is that how much you hate seeing Jack do well?"Don't ever say I'm your sister again! I don't have a brother like you!"My thoughts returned to the present, and I immediately corrected myself."Sorry. I mistook you for someone else."Ms. Kennedy."I deliberately emphasized the title to make it clear that my mi

The moment I cried out 'Dad' in a choked voice, the entire banquet hall fell silent.It was as if someone had suddenly pressed the pause button.Joseph was the first to stand up.He could barely keep the smile on his face as he stared at the man who had just walked in."Who is he?"Casper, who are you calling Dad?"His voice was deep and seemed to fill with anger at the perceived insult.The relatives around us quickly reacted and began whispering among themselves."Who is that man? Why is Casper calling him Dad?""He hasn't been home for five years. Did he get another father out there?""No wonder he doesn't even want to attend his biological father's birthday. He's clearly found someone better to cling to.""Who knows what he's been doing all these years?"Their voices weren't loud, but I heard every word.In the past, I would have explained myself.I would have felt wronged.I would have desperately tried to prove I hadn't done anything wrong.But now, I simply stood

I stepped back and moved to Ivanna's side.I then looked up at Riley calmly."Ms. Kennedy, I already told you."I have only one sister. Her name is Ivanna."You've got the wrong person."Riley's hand froze in midair.For a moment, the expression on her face looked odd.It was as if she couldn't believe it, but it also looked like she finally did.She finally believed that the little boy who used to run after her truly didn't want her anymore.Her face suddenly turned pale.The relatives around us finally caught on too.Someone recognized Frank."Mr. Smith?""Wait, is that the businessman Frank, whose businesses span most of the continent?""Isn't Cloud Splendor Corp owned by the Smith family?"Those who had been looking at me with contempt just moments ago immediately changed their expressions.Their eyes shifted from scrutinizing Frank to fawning over him.One of my distant aunts muttered under her breath, "Casper is so lucky. He went abroad for five years and somehow

"I brought flowers to your grave every week."I thought you were dead. I always–""Ivy," I interrupted her. "The person you've been waiting for isn't me. It's your own guilt."It's the version of Casper you thought had died, but I hadn't died."I'm alive, and I'm doing very well."Ivy froze.Tears finally spilled from her eyes, but I felt absolutely nothing.No matter how pitifully she cried, she couldn't bring back the Casper she'd driven to the brink of destruction five years ago.Joseph finally couldn't take it anymore.He slammed his hand against the table, and his chest heaved."Casper! When did you get married?"Why didn't you tell me? Do I even matter to you as your father anymore?"Before I could react, Frank had already stepped in front of me.His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the authority of a man accustomed to being in charge."Mr. Kennedy, watch your tone. Casper is my son. You have no right to shout at him."Joseph's expression turned livid. "His surnam