By the time we left the police station, night already fell
I held Evan’s hand as we walked slowly through the main entrance. Just as I was about to get into his car, Eugene’s voice rang out.
“Opal, your parents already know about what happened today. They’re really worried about you and are waiting at your villa. Shouldn’t you go back to see them?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his words.
They were so worried about me that they didn’t bother coming to check on me. They didn’t even call to ask how I was doing. Instead, they just sat at home, waiting for me to return. What a display of their overwhelming concern.
And let’s not forget, these were the same people who had already found their so–called true loves. If it weren’t for the prior agreement to leave their assets to me, they probably wouldn’t have given me anything at all.
The memory of my childhood flickered in my mind, and a bitter smile tugged at my lips.
When I was little, I didn’t understand why they divorced or why they didn’t want to see me.
So, I tried harder. I studied endlessly, determined to get the best grades, hoping that when they saw my report card, they might feel even a tiny spark of pride in me.
I craved even the smallest crumb of love from them, but it was never enough to compare to the affection they showered on their other children.
Eventually, I stopped expecting anything at all.
I learned to celebrate on my own–buying myself a little cake for my birthday, congratulating myself for getting first place on an exam. I grew up giving myself the love they never could.
And then, in college, I met Eugene.
Our families had been close for generations, and the marriage agreement between us was decided long ago, though no one had ever finalized the match.
Following my parents‘ divorce, my father quickly married Sharon’s mother. Even then, he went on to find another woman he claimed was his one true love.
After Evan was born, Evan’s father had an affair and fathered Eugene with another woman. Although Eugene was illegitimate, he was brought back to the family estate and raised because he was a boy.
Originally, the marriage agreement was supposed to involve me and Evan, but during my university years, Eugene began publicly pursuing me.
I had never experienced what it felt like to be loved, and under his relentless, passionate attention day after day, I completely fell for him.
I truly thought he liked me. That he loved me.
1/2
Chapter 5
That was why I went against all opposition and chose to hold the engagement ceremony with Eugene.
Even my parents seemed to favor Eugene over me. They thought he was capable, ambitious, and resourceful–exactly the kind of person who could handle their family fortune.
In their own words, marrying him was their way of showing love for me.
So, when I filed for divorce in my previous life, they flatly refused, as if it were the most natural thing to do. To them, it didn’t matter whether I was happy or not. What mattered was that Eugene could keep the family business running smoothly.
