Chapter 5
+25 BONUS
Hansel’s eyes suddenly lit up, thinking he saw a glimmer of hope. He put on a thoughtful expression and said, “I’ve already figured it out on my way here. My family and the Sullivans have announced our alliance through marriage.”
He continued, “If I publicly declare this was all an act, it would damage both families‘ interests, especially mine. So I can’t leave Nara for at least a year, but I’ll set up a private house with top–notch security. You can live there, and I’ll visit whenever I can.
“Once I take full control of the company and this scandal blows over, I’ll announce my divorce from Nara to the media. Then, I’ll marry you.”
Before I could respond, Sebastian exploded with rage. He grabbed Hansel by the collar and shouted, “You bastard, you’re asking Amber to be your secret mistress? After everything you did to steal her from me, this is how you treat her?”
Back then, both Sebastian and Hansel had pursued me, but I had not chosen either of them. Later, my roommate falsely accused me of plagiarizing Nara’s thesis.
Hansel had worked tirelessly day and night to find evidence to clear my name. That was the main reason I eventually accepted him.
Back then, he had made me feel unconditionally trusted and loved. Yet, everything was so different now.
I looked at Hansel as he suddenly snapped at Sebastian, “You lost to me back then. What right do you have to lecture me?”
Then, he turned to me with unwavering confidence in his eyes. “Amber, think about this carefully. Everyone knows we’ve been together for four years, and you won’t find anyone better than me.
“Besides, Ezra needs to continue his education at Camdeville. Without my influence, how can he succeed here? Even if you won’t think about yourself, think about Ezra. He’s your sister’s only child.”
My heart sank as hatred surged through me. Even in this new life, Hansel was still using
called love, it was surely despicable.
Ezra to threaten me. If this was what he?
Ezra shouted, “I don’t need your help! I can study hard and succeed on my own!”
Hansel’s face darkened as he mocked, “You’re young, Ezra, so I’ll forgive your naivety. “You’re young, Ezra, so I’ll forgive your naivety. But…”
He turned to me with a dangerous glint in his eyes, his voice terrifyingly gentle as he said, ” Amber, you’ll agree to my proposal, won’t you?
I smiled and calmly replied, “Of course.”
7/2
Chapter 3
+25 BONUS
Ezra and Sebastian looked on in anger. Sebastian mumbled disappointedly, “Amber, how could you… How could you agree to this? You’re…” He trailed off, his eyes red, looking defeated.
Ezra cried out, “Amber, don’t agree to it! I don’t have to study at Camdeville. We can go back to our hometown… Let’s just do that!”
Seeing him cry so heartbrokenly brought tears to my eyes. I was raised by Lorna, who had dropped out of school to work and support me. She had even married the village chief’s son, despite not loving him, just to protect me from the predatory men in our village. Later, when Ezra’s father had an affair, Lorna divorced him and moved us to the city where I attended high school. Life was hard, but it was filled with love. Sadly, Lorna had an accident at her construction job in my senior year.
After that, it was only Ezra and I. I swore to take care of him, nurture him, and ensure he had a better life.
Ezra was a great kid. He studied diligently and was always considerate. In my previous life, he was even Camdeville’s top student with a bright future.
However, when Hansel discovered I was planning to escape, he had someone falsely accuse Ezra of sexual harassment and academic fraud as punishment for me. Unable to defend himself, Ezra was expelled from Camdeville College and fell into depression. When he later discovered he was being used as leverage against me, he jumped to his death. These memories were too unbearable, and I suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
“Amber!” Ezra cried out in alarm, and Sebastian panicked and ran to get a doctor.
“Amber, what’s wrong? You’re scaring me,” Hansel said anxiously.
I shook my head, suppressing my hatred for Hansel. I turned to Ezra and whispered, “Ezra, trust me. Okay?“.
Ezra understood my intention, but he still felt conflicted. He looked at Hansel with resentment and eventually nodded and replied, “Okay, Amber.”
