Love, Over and Out

I refused to let William's driver pick me up. Instead, I just stared at the door, hoping to see William walking in anytime soon.

Yet, he never bothered looking for me that night.

Only when the sun rose did I receive a notification from an entertainment tabloid on my phone. It read, "#Rich scion William Blackburn spotted on vacation with his lover."

In the video, William and Elaine were seen holding hands together as they took a romantic stroll along the beach. The love he had for her was practically written in his eyes.

After walking for a while, Elaine rested her head on William's shoulder. He lowered his head slightly, while she lifted hers a little as well. Just like that, both of them shared a sweet kiss.

Internet users filled the comment section.

"Wow! The son of the richest man is already dating another woman! Ugh, I no longer stand a chance in dating him!"

"Hey, I know that lady! She used to be the campus belle of Osmond Academy!"

"I know her too! But she came from a poor family. I suppose this is a fairy tale where the prince falls in love with a peasant girl."

"Both of them are so good-looking and talented! They're definitely a match made in heaven!"

The video and the comments stung my eyes so much that I dared not continue to scroll. The date of the video being taken hurt me even more—after all, that day happened to be my birthday.

Originally, I had intended to spend the day with William. But he told me that he was very busy with work, so he turned me down.

Apparently, he wasn't working at all that day. Instead, he was on a vacation with Elaine.

Once I recalled William's decision, I knew what the answer to my question was. Tears blurred my vision instantly. The heartbreak overwhelmed my senses, and the swirling mess of feelings threatened to drown my rationality.

At that moment, I finally realized that I was just a plaything whom William could toy with.

My body swayed from side to side as I walked over to William's residence, feeling dazed and helpless as though I was a marionette. Somehow, my instincts led me into his study, where I found a jewelry box sitting on his desk.

When I opened the box, I saw a diamond ring. As soon as I picked it up, I noticed the "E" carved onto the diamond.

It turned out that William truly loved Elaine to the point that he wished to marry her. He once told me that he'd consider marrying someone one year later. It was just that… I wasn't the one he wanted to marry.

I was so disappointed that I trembled violently. Finally, I broke down and slumped to the floor while sobbing out loud. I could only clutch my chest. My heart throbbed in extreme pain, as though that could miraculously tide the pain over.

I cried my fill that day. Once my tears dried up, I sobered up as well. That was when I packed up my stuff and left William's place.

He wouldn't know that I loved him with all my heart. Of course, he would never know that there was once a time I wished to spend the rest of my life with him.

The moment William chose Elaine, I decided not to love him anymore.

After that, I returned to the slums. My father, Charles Thorn, whom I hadn't seen for quite some time, welcomed me at the door.

I knew what he wanted to say, so I just gazed at him coldly.

"I'll marry him… on one condition."

Ever since I was born, Dad had wished to sell me off to someone else for a good price. Now, he found a suitable buyer. Even though my future husband was a man on the brink of death, Dad was still willing to push me into the pits of hell for the sake of money.

"What condition?" Dad looked very uneasy.

I merely sneered before saying, "I want to sever our father-daughter relationship."

Dad was stunned by my declaration.

"You… You ingrate! Stop spouting nonsense!"

I just shrugged before replying mockingly, "Well, you got yourself a mistress, which pissed Mom off so much that she died from an aneurysm. And now, you want to sell me off in exchange for a million Merydean dollars. What makes you think I still want you as my dad?"

Dad went silent at my outburst. So, I continued.

"You plan on trading your own daughter's happiness in exchange for wealth and luxury, and yet you still want me to be grateful to you? You've got to be kidding me, right?"

Once I was done speaking, I spotted Dad's mistress, Valerie Moore, who stood at the stairway while eavesdropping on our conversation.

So, I added, "I'm leaving now, and just in time, too. That way, your precious mistress' daughter can love and care for you in my stead."

Dad's expression darkened instantly. He was already trembling from rage, but in the end, he never did chastise me. After thinking for a moment, he made up his mind.

"Fine! We'll sever our father-daughter relationship! But that man only has a month left to live! You must marry him in ten days!"