Chapter 14%
Jonathan clenched the paper rose tightly in his hand, its sharp edges cutting into his palm.
Suddenly, Daphne’s calm gaze flashed through his mind.
It wasn’t a tantrum, not a test, but utter and complete resignation.
TII figure something out he murmured, unsure if he was trying to convince his father or himself.
His father stared at him for a long moment before heaving a sigh. His fingers tapped a dull rhythm against the hospital bed railing.
“Three months.“)
His father held up three fingers, his voice leaving no room for argument. I’m giving you three months. If you can’t win her back, you’ll marry a girl from the Stewart Family, no questions asked…
Jonathan’s head snapped up. “The Stewarts, you said? She is only eighteen!”
“So what?” his father sneered “At least the Stewarts is riding high right now, a hundred times better than that country bumpkin.”
He waved a weary hand. “Go on, get out. I need to rest“:
Meanwhile, in a coffee shop in America, I stared blankly at yet another rejection email on my laptop screen.
“Still no luck?” Julian walked over with two coffees, sliding one towards me.
I shook my head, my fingers drumming absently on the keyboard. “The editor says the market’s all about dramatic, over–the–top stories My style is too fresh and clean.”
Julian leaned closer to look at the screen, his warm breath brushing against my ear. “Then draw something dramatic.”
“How? I haven’t even experienced anything like that “I trailed off, suddenly stopping mid–sentence.
Julian raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile in his eyes.
That night, I stayed up all night finishing the first instalment
I slightly altered my story with Jonathan, presenting it with exaggerated comic book flair!
A naive girl falls for a wealthy heir. They’ve been in love for ten years. Then, seven years into their marriage, he brings home a pregnant mistress.
“This is way too
Julian began,
, then stopped after reading it
“Too dramatic, right?” I gave a self–deprecating laugh. “Reality is often more dramatic than comics.
Unexpectedly, the comic went viral after it was published.
The comment section exploded.
[Is this a true story? My heart aches for the female lead
[Author, please update quickly! I want to see that jerk get what’s coming to him!]
[The female lead should find a younger cute guy to make her ex jealous!]
“Daphne! Look at this!”
Julian burst into my room, waving his phone like an excited kid. “It just hit a million views! A studio wants to sign you!”
I stared blankly at the numbers, speechless for a moment
The experiences that had once caused me so much pain had now become exciting stories” in other people’s eyes. Then, Julian suddenly dropped to one knee before me and grabbed my hand “Come on. Let’s go celebrate
At a fancy restaurant, Julian ordered the most expensive red wine.
Under the warm yellow lighting, he raised his glass to mine. “To new beginnings.“3
I smiled and clinked glasses with him. “To new beginnings.
After a few rounds, Julian’s face was slightly flushed.
He hesitated for a long time before finally speaking. “Daphne, do you still like him?”
I swirled the wine in my glass, watching the faint streaks it left on the sides !
There was a time when that question would have instantly brought tears to my eyes.
“I don’t like him anymore.”
I heard my own calm voice. “Like not liking expired milk, like not liking a faded painting. I don’t like Jonathan anymore.” Saying those words felt more liberating than I had imagined.
Julian’s eyes crinkled into a smile. “I believe you
He gazed at me and I felt my cheeks grow warm for some reason.
It must be the wine
