Chapter 23
Looking at Jason, who was a few years younger than her, acting sweet just to get an answer from her, Yara couldn’t help but laugh softly.
She cupped his face in her hands and, for the first time, kissed him. “Yes, Jason. You really are wonderful. I don’t just like you. I love you.” Her eyes were clear and sincere, and that only made Jason’s face flush bright red.
He had been handling business deals for years, but when it came to love, there was only ever Yara. Now, finally hearing her answer, he couldn’t hold back. His eyes turned red with emotion.
“Yara…” His lips trembled as he spoke. Then, he kissed her fiercely, pouring all his feelings into that one kiss.
He kept whispering her name.
Yara finally understood why so many were drawn to those sweet, young men. She could hardly catch her breath.
They ended up late to their own engagement party.
Yara’s face was burning red. She nearly wanted to kick Jason out, but he just grinned at her, calling her name affectionately.
Her parents walked up to them and scolded, “What took you so long? Everyone’s been waiting!”
Yara felt embarrassed, but Jason handled it all, answering their questions with a smile before finally taking her onstage.
Even though it was only an engagement, the celebration was extravagant. The venue was packed with guests.
Jason had wanted the whole world to know how serious he was about this. The only person he hadn’t expected to show up was Bryce, but there he was, lingering at the back of the banquet hall.
Bryce could barely breathe the whole night. Even after the party ended and the guests left, he just sat there, frozen.
Seeing this, Yara sighed and walked over to him.
“Yara…” Bryce’s eyes lit up with hope as he looked at her, desperate for her to say it was all a test and that she still cared for him.
However, Yara just said expressionlessly, “You should go home.”
His hope faded in an instant, and his voice was hoarse and shaky. “Yara, do you really… not love me anymore?”
She nodded without a hint of hesitation. “I told you before, I don’t love you anymore, Bryce. I love Jason now.”
She turned and walked away, leaving Bryce standing there, empty and hollow inside.
It wasn’t until later that the tears finally came–painful, bitter tears of regret.
He realized then that he had truly lost her. He’d lost the woman who had once loved him with everything she had.
When Bryce went back to Jedo, he felt like he’d lost everything. Life went on as usual, but for him, it felt like time had stopped that day.
He didn’t go to Yelena’s wedding. He didn’t want to see her again. But when Yara and Jason got married, he secretly went to watch from a distance.
Yara looked so beautiful–far more than she ever had at their own wedding. This time, her face was lit up with a bright smile.
Jason couldn’t take his eyes off her. When they finished their vows, he even broke down and cried.
Bryce tried to laugh, but his voice caught in his throat. He suddenly remembered that when he and Yara got married, she had cried too. But back then, he’d just thought she was being dramatic.
Now, he understood that when someone finally married the person they loved, they would cry tears of joy.
He remembered how Yara had broken down in tears after hearing his careless vows. He should have reached out and wiped her tears away.
Bryce gazed in a daze while Jason gently wiped away Yara’s tears onstage.
“Yara, after today, I’ll never let you cry again,” Jason said with a smile, making Yara laugh through her tears.
Her smile was so beautiful. It was just a share it didn’t belong to him anymore.
Bryce turned away, holding back his heartache.
Onstage, Yara seemed to sense something and glanced out at the
“What’s wrong?” Jason asked.
crowd.
He was fiercely protective. Even though they had just married, he was determined to keep Yara to himself and didn’t like her looking at anyone else. Yara couldn’t help but laugh. Then, she kissed Jason. “Nothing. I just feel like everything’s perfect
right now.”
