His Three Regrets, My One Price

The genuine concern from Richard and Eleanor was a dull ache in my heart.

After my parents died, I was alone. They adopted me. They gave me a home, a family, everything.

I had always been obedient. But this time, I had to defy them.

I looked at them and said seriously, "Dad, Mom. I'm not going to marry Julian. Tomorrow, I'm leaving for Aspen Creek. I won't be able to stay by your side anymore. Please take care of yourselves."

Eleanor froze, panic flickering in her eyes. "Your parents gave their lives for the Group, and you grew up here. This is your home. If you leave, where will you go?"

Her voice grew sharp with worry. "Did Julian bully you because of that Davenport girl? Is that why you won't marry him?"

"Don't be silly. He cares for you deeply; otherwise, why would he have risked his life to save you twice?"

"Every year on your birthday, he spends months searching the globe for a unique gift. I know you love him, too. You learned to cook for him, you massage his wrist every day to ease his old injury. If you two get married, you'll be happy. You really will."

"Besides, that Davenport girl is no good. We can't let her win. You can't just leave in a huff."

In my past life, they had said the exact same things. In the end, I lost my husband, and they lost their son. Everyone was consumed by regret.

I gently wiped the tears from Eleanor's eyes. "Mom, you can't force love. It won't bring happiness. Julian loves someone else, and I can't be the one to force him into a marriage he doesn't want."

I continued, "I had a panic attack last night. I dreamed that he and I were married, but he wouldn't see me. He worked himself to the bone, destroying his health, and came home covered in injuries. He wouldn't touch the food I made. When he was sick, he wouldn't let me near him. He said the pain I caused him was far greater than any happiness."

My voice choked, my chest so tight I could barely breathe. "In the dream, he even died in a plane crash at thirty, just to save me."

Eleanor stared at me, shocked. "That… that's just a nightmare, my child. Julian wouldn't…"

I sniffled and forced a faint smile. "Nightmares can be warnings, too. Dad, Mom, he doesn't have to marry me. We don't have to be husband and wife. I just want him to be safe and sound, to live a long, full life."

"He may be a born winner, but so many things are out of his control. His marriage, at least, should be his own choice."

I bowed my head and gave them a deep, respectful bow.

"I've already handled all the arrangements for my move to Colorado. I'm asking for your blessing. I will never forget your kindness in raising me."

Richard pressed his lips together and helped me up. Eleanor dried her tears and pressed an anonymous black card into my hand. "If this is what you've truly decided, then I respect it. Remember, no matter what happens, this will always be your home."

Tears streamed down my face. I wrapped my arms around her. "Thank you, Mom."

As long as I cut all ties with Julian, the tragedy of my past life wouldn't repeat. He would live a long life, and Richard and Eleanor would never know that despair, would never hate me.

In this life, everyone would have a happy ending.

The second regret from his journal—regretting not resisting the family's arrangement—that should be resolved now, too. Right?

I still had one last regret to fulfill. Would it all go smoothly?

That night, I returned to my penthouse apartment. The apartment was a museum of our shared childhood, every object a monument to a love I could never have.

"Genevieve."

A familiar voice.

Joy flooded my heart instinctively. I spun around, only to meet Julian's dark, furious gaze.

He grabbed my wrist, his fingers digging into my skin like iron clamps. The corners of his eyes were red with suppressed rage.

"You know I despise it when people go crying behind my back," he said coldly. "Just because I didn't come home with you, you went crying to my parents and had them go after Chloe."

His grip tightened. "She was targeted by a business rival. Someone poisoned her, and now she's in the hospital. Are you satisfied now?"

A sharp pain shot up my arm. It felt as if my wrist might snap, and I felt the blood drain from my face.