Rejected by His Ex Love

In the second year after I was discharged from the psychiatric hospital, I attended a charity gala where I unexpectedly encountered Felix Duncan, my childhood friend.

Having just assumed control of the Duncan Group, Felix made a significant gesture by donating ten million dollars. Then, in front of all the media, he dropped to one knee and proposed to me.

"On graduation day, you wore a veil and said you'd be my bride. I'm here to fulfill that promise, Nora. Will you marry me?"

Cameras flashed wildly as the crowd awaited my response, naturally expecting me to accept. After all, I had pursued Felix for a decade.

But what no one knew was this:

On my birthday five years ago, his assistant, Kyla Gardner, in a fit of anger, recklessly drove and hit a janitor, killing them instantly. Felix knew the truth but manipulated the situation, framing me as the culprit. He even bribed my defense attorney to present a forged psychological evaluation, claiming I was insane.

Now, Felix looked at me with deep emotion in his eyes, his voice thick with sentiment.

"When I found out there was an earthquake near the psychiatric hospital where you were, I watched the news every day, hoping to see you."

His friends chimed in, trying to sway me. "Look how devoted Felix is. He's waited for you all these years. Even though someone died, and you have a mental health record, he still doesn’t mind."

"What do you mean by this? Can you give us a clear answer?"

Christopher Lynch, noticing my calm demeanor, grew anxious and angry.

"Felix has been patient for years. Plenty of women have tried to win his affection, and his family even introduced potential matches, but he rejected them all."

"He’s done so much for you. If you continue to be indifferent, it would be quite ungrateful."

His booming voice drew the attention of many.

In the past, my case was a massive scandal because I fervently defended myself against the driving accusations, and the media latched onto it, spreading the story online like wildfire.

Especially after it emerged that I was institutionalized and supposedly had a vendetta against society. Public disdain and ridicule swelled, painting me as a social outcast.

In this context, Christopher brought up past events again, dragging me back to those dark times.

I wasn't sure if he was experiencing a lapse of judgment or if someone had coerced him into doing this to humiliate me.

However, none of it mattered to me now.

"Are you finished? Can I leave now?"

"What do you mean? Aren't you moved by Felix's waiting and devotion?"

Christopher frowned, bewilderment and doubt clouding his eyes as he looked at me.

Everyone knew how deeply I had once cared for Felix.

Felix and I grew up together, more like siblings than friends. From the tender age of fifteen, my heart secretly ached for him.

This unspoken affection lasted through college, and finally, in my freshman year, I boldly pursued Felix.

I confessed my feelings at graduation, desperately trying to be near him.

I adored Felix.

If he hadn't nobly accused me of causing a death and had me imprisoned for three years, I might have believed his words.

In truth, Felix's change in attitude toward me began with Kyla's arrival.

He said Kyla was a student his father sponsored. He sympathized with her background after learning about her situation and wanted to help her out.

His feelings for Kyla were different from those he had for me; his heart belonged entirely to me.

Relying on our years-long bond, I agreed to let Kyla work as his secretary.

But as it turns out, blind trust often comes at a high cost.

After that, he inexplicably became busier, starting with a few nights away each week, then once a week, until he was almost never around.

Each time, he claimed work as his excuse.

He kept postponing a trip we had planned, and eventually, he canceled it altogether.

At the time, thinking he truly was busy, I said nothing more, being sensible.

Until I caught the scent of women's perfume on his clothes—then everything began to make sense.

I confronted him about the perfume.

He stayed calm, showing no signs of panic, insisting it was from a casual encounter with a female colleague at the office.

I believed him again.

But on my birthday, I found him at a romantic restaurant dining with Kyla, despite him telling me he was away on business.

The anger I had suppressed for so long finally erupted.

Seeing me standing there with mascara running down my cheeks, Felix showed no concern. Instead, he looked at me with disdain.

"Nora Ryan? Were you following me? Do I really deserve such distrust?"

"The trip was canceled last minute, and Kyla hadn't eaten. I was just taking her to dinner. If you're going to be jealous over something so trivial, I have nothing more to say!"

I stared at him, as if my heart was being torn apart.

At that moment, doubt about the man before me crept in.

I had a million things to say, yet when it came time, I couldn't utter a word.

Seeing my silence, his brow furrowed tighter.

"My mood is completely ruined! Just go home already!"