Chapter 18
I let out a cold laugh. “Engagement? You think you’re worthy of getting engaged to me? Back when I revolved around you, you never said a word. Now that I’m the Howard family heiress, I don’t give a damn anymore! I broke up with you! Where were you back then? Too late now!“]
My tone was harsh, my words sharp. Even Jason was stunned, standing there in disbelief. He had never imagined I would speak to him like this, just as he’d never imagined that the docile kitten he’d kept by his side would one day bare her claws at him.]
There was even a hint of disdain in his eyes.]
Even now, he still believed I loved him, that he could win back my unwavering loyalty by making some half–hearted concessions.]
Jason spoke, “Caroline, you’re angry because you think I went too far before. Fine, I’ll apologize. Is that enough? I admit I’ve been slow to realize it, but I’ve fallen for you. Is that enough? I screwed up, okay? I’m admitting it. Is that enough?“]
Hearing his words, I stared into the eyes I had once loved so deeply, but all I felt now was disappointment and disgust.
Yet, I still wanted to ask, “Jason, if the person standing in front of you today was still the ordinary Caroline, not the Howard family heiress, would you still say these things? Would you still talk about giving me a title and getting engaged?“]
Jason fell silent.]
“Heh.” I scoffed, pulling out my phone to call security.[]
Before leaving, Jason’s deep eyes remained locked on me.]
“You love me. We’ve been together for five years. You can’t just let go. And no one else will want you–you know why, don’t you?”
“… Because you’ve slept with me,” I finished his sentence. But his words, intended to wound, didn’t cut me at all.]
I even smirked, mockingly asking, “So what?”
“Does sleeping with you make me dirty?”
Jason froze, visibly shaken by my indifferent attitude. His hands, hanging limply at his sides, curled into trembling fists.[]
“That’s not what I meant-
–
–“1
“It doesn’t matter,” I interrupted. “Whether that’s what you meant or not, it’s irrelevant, because I don’t care. And whoever I marry in the future won’t care either. First, because he’ll have to be my equal in every way, and second, because he’ll be a man with a proper sense of values.“[]
“And by any standard of mine, you’re unqualified to stand in front of me.“]]
With that, I slammed the door in his face.
Forsaking the Years of Longing
Chapter 18
It looked bold and confident, but behind that door, I slid to the floor.[]
Jason… what a vile person.[]
Chapter 19
Chapter 19
The next day, at Jasmine’s engagement ceremony.[]
- me. Callan and I entered together, and I instantly felt a piercing, gloomy gaze fixed firmly on
I didn’t care, but Callan, ever so thoughtful, casually stepped in to block that scorching stare.]]
He even smirked at me, as if asking for credit. “Some people are so persistent. Like a ghost that refuses to leave.“[]
I chuckled.]
“A sentiment Mr. Callan should also take to heart.“]
Callan: “…“]]
He fell silent, looking a little pitiful.]
I wasn’t bothered in the slightest.]
Jasmine’s engagement party was extravagant, with reporters on–site snapping photos and covering the event.]
The guests were all elites from the upper circle, putting on impeccable facades as they mingled.
Many approached me, eager to curry favor and flatter me, all because of my “new identity.” Finding it tedious, I simply pulled Callan over to shield me from the endless rounds of drinks.]
Once I escaped to the balcony, I finally managed to catch my breath.
The brief moment of peace didn’t last long before someone ruined it.]
“Caroline.”
Hearing that familiar voice, I frowned and turned around.[]
I said nothing, only staring coldly at Jason until he became visibly uncomfortable.
“Don’t you have anything to say to me?”
He broke the silence first, earning nothing but a sneer from me.
“You’re the one who came looking for me. Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that question?“]
Jason’s expression shifted before he took a step closer.]
“About last night… I was drunk.“]
I nodded. “Terrible drinking habits. Mr. Parker, you should work on that.”
“Caroline, I didn’t mean those harsh words. But you were so eager to cut ties with me. How could I not be angry?“[]
I continued nodding, looking thoroughly uninterested.]
11:26
Forsaking the Years of Longing
Chapter 19
“I’m sorry. I really regret it.“]
“You asked me yesterday if I would still try to win you back and give you a title if you were still the ordinary Caroline. I’ve thought about it all night, and I have an answer now: I would.“]
“You’re smart, kind, and beautiful–everything I’d want in a wife. It was my mistake, prioritizing family background over everything else. I didn’t realize until now that I had feelings for you all along. I’m not forcing you to come back to me now. Time will prove my sincerity, as long as you’re willing to give me a chance to make it up to you.“]
His words were well–crafted, even moving. I raised an eyebrow.]
“And why the sudden change? It’s rare to see Mr. Parker show weakness to a woman.
n.“]
Jason took another step closer. His expression was hard to read, his face as stoic as ever.]
“You love me. I love you too. So I have no reason to let you go and watch you be with someone else.“]]
“Is that about me?”
Before I could respond, Callan stepped onto the balcony.
He beat Jason to it, draping his jacket over my shoulders with a practiced ease and then giving Jason a lazy smile.
“Still hung up on your ex, Mr. Parker? Funny, though. If you’re so concerned about her, why didn’t you bother asking if she was cold, standing out here in the breeze?“]
C
