The Unfathomable Depths Of Love

Yvette Wilson had a crush on her brother’s friend. He was six years older, so she kept it to herself and stayed cautious. One night, she could not hold back anymore. In the dim light, she leaned in and stole a kiss while he was drunk. She had just turned to run when she saw his eyes snap open. He looked at her with a lazy expression. “You want me to teach you how to kiss? Too bad. I’m not into little girls.” Her face turned red, but she still found the courage to speak. “So you think I’m too young? That’s fine. I’ll grow up.” Chapter 1 Henry Lawson paused for a moment and then smiled. “Alright. If you still like me when you turn twenty-two, I’ll think about it.” At that moment, Yvette Wilson’s heart was pounding. From then on, she stayed by his side every day until she turned twenty-two. She could not wait to see him and claim his promise. But at the door of the private room, she heard a baby crying. She froze for a moment, then looked over carefully. Henry was holding a crying child and trying to calm the baby down. The guys around him all covered their ears and looked completely tortured. “Henry, that’s just too far! You brought a baby just to reject that girl and make her think you’re a dad?” Yvette felt her heart go numb. Her mind went blank. “What else was I supposed to do?” Henry said in his familiar lazy tone. “She turns twenty-two today. She’ll be here to claim that promise.” “You really don’t like Yvette, do you? She’s actually very nice. She’s pretty, sweet, and completely smitten with you.” “It’s not about whether I like her or not.” Henry’s voice grew serious. “You all know who has always been in my heart.” The room went quiet for a moment, then everyone burst out laughing in understanding. “Sophia! No wonder… You’re just overthinking. With a face like yours, who wouldn’t fall for you? How could Sophia say no? You just care too much.” “I never knew how to say it all these years. I was afraid that if I told her my feelings, we would lose our friendship. And now with Yvette, it actually gave me a chance.” Henry smiled as he said, “I told Sophia that there is a girl who keeps hanging around me, and I don’t know how to get rid of her. I want her to be my fake girlfriend for a while. Then, I’ll show up with her and the baby in front of Yvette and hold a wedding. That way, Yvette will give up, and Sophia and I can grow closer. When the fake wedding is over, I’ll confess to Sophia right then and there.” When they heard Henry’s plan to kill two birds with one stone, everyone was impressed and started banging the table in approval. Amid the laughter, no one noticed Yvette standing outside the private room. The cake box slipped from her hands and hit the floor with a dull thud. She no longer dared to open the door. Tears streamed down her face. She turned and ran away in a daze. The rain was pouring heavily outside the club. Yvette ran as fast as she could. She let the water soak through the dress she had carefully chosen. It turned out Henry had never liked her. It had all been one-sided. She had fallen for him at first sight when she was fourteen. That day after school, her brother, Yarden Wilson, had not come to pick her up, and a group of punks cornered her in the alley. Henry happened to pass by. He taught them a lesson and saved her. She had cried until her eyes were swollen. Henry threw his coat over her shoulders and handed her two pieces of chocolate. He teased her with a faint smile. “Little crybaby, look at you! Snot bubbles and all! Your brother’s still at basketball. Come on, I’ll take you home.” That day, Yvette tasted the sweetest chocolate of her life and fell for someone for the first time. Because of Yarden, she saw Henry almost every day. Her teenage crush grew wildly like summer vines. She learned to make bento boxes and prepared a dozen for Yarden, just so Henry could eat her food. She made an effort to learn his likes and dislikes, carefully picked out gifts, and always found a way to give them to him on holidays. She gave up the opportunity to study abroad and stayed in Jamestown, all just to wait until she turned twenty-two. She had waited for eight years. She thought she could finally be with him, and her wish would come true. But today, Yvette realized that to Henry, her feelings were only a burden. She did not know how far she had run before she finally calmed down. Her hands were shaking as she pulled out her phone and called Yarden. “Yarden,” she said in a choked voice, “I’ve made up my mind. I want to study abroad. That friend you mentioned last time… I’m willing to meet him.” Everyone in their circle knew that Yvette had been chasing Henry for years. Every time Yarden saw her so eager, he always looked like he wanted to say something but could not. He would hint at other guys and try to introduce them to her. He wanted her to completely give up on her feelings for Henry. The friend abroad would be the eighteenth guy Yarden had tried to set her up with. Yarden said this guy was tall, handsome and in no way worse off than Henry. Since she studied design, going abroad for a few years would be perfect. Thinking back, Yarden had probably known all along that Henry’s heart belonged to someone else. He had only done this to help her stop before it hurt more. There was a pause on the other end of the line. “You… found out?” Yvette closed her eyes. Rain mixed with her tears slid down her cheeks. “Does he really like Sophia that much?” “Yes…” “Then, I hope he gets what he wants.” She wiped her face. “I’ll do as he wishes. I’ll stop liking him.” Back at home, Yvette opened her suitcase and started packing her clothes without thinking. Her phone buzzed. The screen lit up with a message from Henry. [Why aren’t you here yet?] She stared at it for a long time. Then, a second message appeared. [Yvette, I have a girlfriend now. We even have a child. I’m about to get married. Please stop chasing after me.] Then, he sent two photos. One showed a tiny baby’s foot. The other was an elegant wedding invitation. Yvette stared at the screen for a long time. Finally, she typed her reply. [Okay.] After sending the message, she tossed her phone onto the bed. She pulled a metal box from deep in a drawer. It was full of movie stubs, amusement park tickets, the basketball jersey she had secretly kept, and the stuffed toys he had given her. All of these were memories from the past eight years. They were all tied to Henry. She held the box, walked outside, and threw everything into the trash without hesitation. Chapter 2 Meanwhile, inside the private room at the upscale club, Henry stared at his phone with a deep frown. He had expected Yvette to cry or throw a tantrum. He never imagined she would react so calmly. “What did she reply?” A friend leaned over. His eyes widened. “Just… just a word? ‘Okay’?” “That’s not right…” Another friend rubbed his chin. “With how obsessed she is with you, she shouldn’t be this calm.” The group looked confused for a moment. Then, someone suddenly realized something. “Wait! Could it be that she came by earlier and overheard our conversation at the door? Maybe she already knows the baby and the wedding are fake. That’s why she’s acting so indifferent.” Henry’s frown grew even deeper as he listened to their speculations. Given Yvette’s personality, after waiting for so many years, she would have made a scene if she knew he liked someone else and had a child. Her calmness had to mean she knew the truth. She was playing her usual push-and-pull game. His friends immediately agreed. They quickly started suggesting some ideas. “Then, Henry, you should keep playing along with Sophia. This is a rare chance to strengthen your relationship. She definitely hasn’t given up yet. Once you two are really together, she’ll have no choice but to let go.” “Exactly! Yvette’s attitude doesn’t matter. What matters is that you take advantage of the moment and win over the one you love. Once it’s done, all the problems will be solved.” The group chatted excitedly when Yarden pushed open the door. His gaze landed on Henry. “Henry, come out. I need to talk to you about Yvette.” ‘Did she go to her brother to complain?’ he thought. Henry lazily raised his eyes. He was about to speak when his phone rang. “Henry? Are you free now? Weren’t we supposed to play along for your friend’s sister? I want you to help me pick out some baby supplies. That will make it look even more realistic.” Hearing Sophia Sinclair’s gentle voice, Henry agreed without hesitation. He got up and left immediately. Before leaving, he said to Yarden, “We’ll talk later. I have something to do today.” “Just a few minutes…” Seeing how he was in a rush, Yarden tried calling him back, but a few of his friends held him back. “Forget it, Yarden. Henry is in a hurry to be with the one he likes. Don’t try to stop him.” “Yeah. You know he likes Sophia. After waiting for so many years, he finally has a chance to confess. You should stop trying to set your sister up with him.” Yarden frowned. “That’s not what I meant.” He wanted to tell Henry that Yvette had made up her mind and planned to study abroad. She would not bother him anymore. After resting for the night, Yvette went out to apply for her visa. The staff told her it could be approved in as little as two weeks. After spending a few days at home, Yarden’s birthday arrived. He liked lively celebrations. He held a banquet every year. Yvette changed into a formal dress and went to the party. The hall was full of guests and bustling with energy. His group of friends was there as well. Yvette did not want to run into them, so she made sure to avoid them. Soon, Henry appeared. He held Sophia in one arm and the baby in the other. Everyone saw him looking proud and triumphant. They felt envious and began talking excitedly among themselves. “Who would have thought Henry would be the first to settle down? I heard he has liked Sophia for more than ten years! Now, he has a wife and a child. He’s winning in life!” “It’s such a shame for all the girls who liked him. Their hearts must be broken. Hahaha!” Yvette listened in indifference. A moment later, Henry walked over with Sophia. He called out to her. “Yvette, I haven’t introduced you yet. This is my wife and my child.” All eyes in the hall immediately turned to them. Yvette’s face did not change. She forced out a small smile. “Hello, Sophia.” Sophia, clearly a skilled actress, extended her hand with a gentle smile. “You must be Yvette! Henry mentioned you so many times. You’re young and still learning about love. Now that Henry has our baby and me, you can put all those feelings behind you. We’re planning our wedding next month. You must come!” Chapter 3 Yvette lowered her gaze. “I understand, Sophia. I crossed the line before. From now on, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen. I wish you both happiness.” Hearing her, the friends around quickly started teasing her. “What are you talking about? The time you called Henry in the middle of the night and made him come pick you up? Or when you got drunk and said in public that you would only marry him? Or when you went to the Lawson family villa and asked the servants about his type?” “Yvette, Henry has a family now! If you keep hanging around him like this, it’ll embarrass you and the Wilson family. You need to be sensible. Don’t let your actions ruin the friendship between Yarden and Henry just because of you.” Each teasing remark felt like salt on Yvette’s wounded heart. She subconsciously looked at Henry. He stood only a few steps away. His expression was indifferent. For a moment, she felt as if he had become a completely different person. He was no longer the Henry she remembered. He was not the same person who always cared for her. When she thought about it, she realized he had always been cold toward other admirers. He never gave them any hope. It seemed that his past tolerance of her pursuit had only been out of respect for Yarden. He did not want to make things awkward. Since he was with the one he truly loved, he was drawing a clear line between them. After all, in his heart, Sophia was more important than anything else. Thinking this, a sharp, bitter ache washed over Yvette. She nodded slightly and turned to leave. The birthday banquet had just begun. Yarden arrived late and busied himself greeting the guests. He did not notice Yvette at all. Henry, on the other hand, wasted no time. He openly introduced Sophia as his wife to everyone. He held back toasts meant for her, fed her the tastiest treats, straightened her messy dress, and massaged her sore shoulders. Everyone praised him for how much he spoiled his wife. They said Sophia was lucky to have him and called them a perfect couple. Yvette watched from a distance. Her mouth tasted bitter. She forced herself to look away. She sat alone in a corner. Sophia walked over with a glass of wine and broke the silence. “It’s Yarden’s birthday, and you’re sitting here without saying a word. Are you upset?” Yvette had not expected her to come. She stepped back a little instinctively. “I’m not upset, Sophia. I have let go of all my feelings for Henry.” Sophia paused for a moment. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions. “But Henry told me that you have been pursuing him for many years. You were determined to be with him.” “That was before. Once I realized he liked you and had done so for many years, I gave up. I wish you both happiness.” After that, Yvette stood up to leave. Sophia grabbed her hand. “You said Henry has liked me for many years? Where did you hear that? Did he tell you that himself?” Yvette did not want to continue the conversation. “Everyone says so. You can ask him yourself. I don’t know.” Sophia refused to let her go. She wanted a clear answer. As they pulled at each other, the chandelier above suddenly came loose and began to fall. Looking up, Yvette froze as she saw it hurtling toward them. Before she could react, Henry’s face changed instantly. He rushed forward and dragged Sophia out of the way. The chandelier, weighing more than 50 pounds, crashed down on Yvette. She crashed to the floor with a loud thud. She bled profusely. Her limbs and bones felt as if they were breaking, and pain tore through her with every movement. She lay in a pool of blood. She shook with fear. Screams filled the air around her. The world grew blurry. Just before she lost consciousness, the last thing she saw was Henry holding Sophia and comforting her. Yvette did not know how long she had been unconscious. When she opened her eyes, Yarden was by her bed. His eyes were red with concern. “I’m sorry, Yvette. I should have protected you. This wouldn’t have happened if I had tried to protect you.” Yvette shook her head. Her voice was weak and hoarse. “It’s not your fault, Yarden. Everything happened so fast. You were too far away to help me.” Hearing this, Yarden thought about the accident again and felt even more guilty. “I couldn’t reach you in time, but Henry was so close. He could have helped! If Sophia hadn’t distracted you, you might have avoided this.” Yvette shook her head and softly said, “Yarden, he saved the person he cares about most. That was instinct, and he did nothing wrong. I used to be obsessed, but after this, I have truly let go.” “All right. As long as you have let go, I’ll support any decision you make.” Yarden held her hand tightly and nodded firmly. Yvette forced a small smile and slowly calmed herself. Her condition stabilized. After several days of watching over her without rest, Yarden finally allowed himself to sleep. The hospital room grew quiet. Yvette took out her phone and booked a flight for ten days later. The airline called to confirm the reservation. She listened carefully and did not notice the footsteps at the door. “The earliest flight to Amerika is on the 19th. First class.” “First class?” Chapter 4 Yvette was startled when she saw Henry at the door. “It’s nothing.” She denied it, but Henry sensed something was wrong. He fixed his gaze on her. “Since when did you start lying? Where are you going with that ticket?” Under his questioning, Yvette fell silent for a few seconds before speaking in a hoarse voice. “You’re about to get married. Wherever I go has nothing to do with you, right?” Henry had some doubts at first. After hearing that, he decided it was just another one of her tricks. His expression turned cold again. “You’re right. It has nothing to do with me. Sophia was worried about you, so she asked me to come and check on you.” “I’m fine. Henry, please leave.” Her distant attitude surprised him. He was about to speak when a nurse knocked on the door and came in to tell her it was time for a follow-up. Yvette had injured her leg. She struggled to get out of bed on her own. She almost fell. Henry reacted quickly and steadied her. She thanked him softly. Then, she pushed the wheelchair and tried to leave by herself. He saw her covered in injuries and struggling to move. In the end, he could not bring himself to ignore it. He stepped forward and pushed the wheelchair for her. “Where’s the examination room? I’ll take you there.” “No need. I can manage.” Yvette refused, but Henry insisted. He pushed her out of the room. They reached the ground floor and ran into Sophia. The moment he saw her, Henry let go of the wheelchair and went up to her. The path sloped downward. The wheelchair rolled forward before anyone could stop it. “Ahhh!” Yvette’s heart raced when she saw herself about to hit the flower bed. She forced herself out of the chair and fell to the ground. She hit the ground hard. Her hands and knees were scraped, and blood began to seep out of fresh wounds. She let out a low groan. She covered her wounds, and cold sweat covered her forehead. Sophia was startled. She stepped forward to check on her. The wheelchair had fallen apart. Sophia looked at Yvette’s injuries and tugged on Henry’s hand. “Henry, Yvette is hurt, and the wheelchair is broken. Carry her over so she can get treated.” Henry’s expression changed slightly. He looked at Yvette, who was clearly in pain. Then, he looked at Sophia and shook his head. “No. I’m about to get married. I can’t carry another woman.” Every word pierced Yvette’s heart. She clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her skin and drew blood. Sophia could not persuade him, so she told him to get a new wheelchair instead. This time, Henry agreed. After he left, Sophia handed her a handkerchief. “Henry is just like that. He only listens to me. Don’t take it to heart. You were hurt that day at the hotel, and I feel somewhat responsible. The baby has had a fever these past two days, so I couldn’t come. I asked him to check on you for me. I didn’t expect another accident. It wasn’t intentional, but we’re still at fault. I’m really sorry.” Yvette did not know what she was trying to do this time. She endured the pain and stood up on her own. “Sophia, as I said, I don’t like Henry in that way anymore. It doesn’t matter if you’re acting or really getting married. I don’t care.” After that, she forced herself forward on unsteady legs and tried to leave. Sophia refused to let it go. She followed her. “So you knew Henry and I were just acting…” She stopped mid-sentence. A loud splash made Yvette turn around. Sophia had fallen into the pool and was struggling as she called for help. Yvette hesitated for a few seconds, then reached out to help her. Henry returned at that moment. He rushed over and jumped into the pool. He pulled Sophia out. Sophia looked pale and weak. She coughed hard. Henry looked at Yvette in anger. “I was gone for a few minutes, and you pushed Sophia into the water?!” Yvette had not expected that he would blame her for this. She saw how furious he was. She tried to explain, but he did not give her a chance. He held Sophia and stood up. Then, he pushed Yvette into the pool. “I put up with you before, no matter how you chased after me. Sophia is my limit. If you dare to hurt her again, I won’t show you mercy!” His cold and harsh voice filled Yvette’s ears along with the freezing water. Blood from her wounds spread through the water and turned it red. She could not swim. She struggled with all her strength, but she could not get out. She gulped for air as it slowly became harder to breathe. Her face began to lose color. Her heartbeat grew weaker. Wave after wave of dizziness hit her. Her consciousness sank into darkness. Chapter 5 When Yvette opened her eyes, she heard loud arguing outside the door. “Yvette’s my sister! You watched her grow up! There’s no way she’d push someone into the water! You almost drowned her on purpose! Shouldn’t you apologize to her?” “Apologize? Fine! But first, make her apologize to Sophia. If she hadn’t acted out of jealousy and hurt Sophia, would I have done anything? You care about your sister, and I care about my wife. If anything happened to Sophia, and even if Yvette died a hundred times, it wouldn’t make up for it!” Henry’s angry words sent a chill through Yvette. It felt like she had fallen into ice. He had rejected her many times before, but she had never felt this hopeless. She thought that even if they could not be together, they would still share a small bond after all these years. It turned out that once it involved the woman he loved, she meant nothing. The two people outside did not know she was awake. They kept arguing. “You have no proof, yet you blame Yvette for everything! You didn’t even give her a chance to explain. Just because she has liked you for years doesn’t give you the right to hurt her!” “She has bothered me for years. I only spared her a little dignity because of you. Haven’t I been careful enough all this time? You complain that I hurt her feelings. Have you ever thought about how long I had to endure her?” The anger Yarden had been holding back finally exploded. He could not take it anymore. He grabbed Henry by the collar and swung his fist. Henry did not hold back either. They fought fiercely. The noise shocked Yvette. She forced herself to stand and rushed out to stop them. She saw their bruised faces and the force behind their punches. She threw herself between them. The tears she had been holding back poured down her face. She cried out until her voice broke. “Stop fighting! Please, stop! Yarden, come with me. I’m begging you!” Seeing her tears, Yarden regained his control. His nose stung. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and let go. He took Yvette’s hand. They walked back to the hospital room. He looked deflated. The moment the door closed, the siblings heard Henry’s cold voice. “Don’t you think I’ll forgive you just because you act pitiful! This is my final warning. Stay away from Sophia.” Yarden’s anger, which he had just reined in, began to flare again. Yvette hugged him tightly. She said pleadingly, “Yarden, stop! I’m about to leave. I’ll never appear in Henry’s world again. You don’t need to make things tense with him or your friends because of me.” The more she tried to calm him, the more he worried about her. They were silent for a long moment before he finally spoke in a low voice. “Yvette, this is my fault! Henry’s heart belongs only to Sophia. He even gave up his friends for her. I should have told you the truth the first time I realized you liked him. You wouldn’t have gotten so deeply involved.” Chapter 6 Yvette shook her head gently. She felt exhausted and helpless. “I know you had your own struggles. I never blamed you. And now that things have gone this far, regretting it won’t change anything. I’m only twenty-two. I’m still young. I can start over.” Seeing her force out a smile, Yarden reached out and patted her head. “That’s right. You have a new life ahead. You’ll meet someone better.” Over the next few days, Yvette rested in the hospital to recover. Sometimes she overheard the nurses talking as they checked on patients. “I heard the VIP rooms upstairs were booked by the CEO of Lawson Corp. He’s so generous! His fiancee must be staying there! He never leaves her side. He feeds her, gives her gifts, and spoils her constantly.” “Apparently, they already have a child. They’re going to get married in a few days. The wedding dress and ring alone cost hundreds of millions. They’re planning a global live-streamed wedding. Mr. Lawson really loves her to the bone.” Hearing the nurses talk with envy, Yvette remembered the plan she had overheard at the club. She closed her eyes. Henry had made the wedding so grand. He must be completely sure that Sophia would accept his confession. After waiting for so many years and putting so much effort into this plan, he finally got what he wanted. The one person he found most annoying would disappear after this wedding and never show up again. It was truly a win-win situation and worth a big celebration. Yvette was lost in thought when her phone rang. She looked at the screen and froze for a moment before answering. “Yvette, I heard you were in the hospital. Are you feeling any better?” It was one of Yarden’s friends. He beat around the subject a few times before speaking plainly. Yvette could sense that something was wrong. “I heard Yarden and Henry got into a fight. Their relationship is tense now. Do you know why? We tried to make them get along again, but it didn’t work.” Yvette was silent for a long moment and then explained the situation briefly. The friend let out a sigh. “After being friends for so many years, they fight over such a small misunderstanding! People would laugh if they heard about it. Yvette, can you do us a favor? Tonight, we are putting together a get-together. Can you convince him to attend? We can clear up all the misunderstandings in one go.” Yvette knew that besides his family, Yarden valued his friends above all else. She did not want him to grow distant from them because of her, so she agreed to help. Chapter 7 After finishing her discharge paperwork, Yvette took Yarden along under the pretense of a dinner with friends. When he saw Henry and Sophia sitting in the center of the private room, his face darkened. He turned to leave. Yvette pulled him back and persuaded him with a few words. Only then did he sit down, though reluctantly. Their friends watched them closely and kept joking to lighten the mood. Sophia walked over to Yarden and said sincerely, “Yarden, what happened at the hospital was just an accident. Henry was worried and acted without thinking. Yvette and I feel bad that you two are still upset over this.” Yarden’s expression softened slightly, though his tone remained cold. “As long as he apologizes to Yvette, I’ll let it go.” Henry gave him a cold look and showed no sign of softening. “As long as she apologizes to Sophia, I’ll apologize.” The two were about to argue again, but a few friends stepped in. “You have known each other for years. There’s no need to fight over this. I’ll settle it. Let’s all have a drink and put this behind us. Agreed?” Sophia raised her glass first. Henry frowned, quickly stood up, took her cup, and drank it in one gulp. He then placed the empty glass in front of Yarden. Yarden drank his wine as well. The tension in the room finally eased. “Henry, if you always do what Sophia says, does that mean whenever someone invites you for a drink, you have to ask her first?” The teasing made Sophia blush. She pushed Henry gently. He smiled faintly and said, “Sophia can’t drink right now. As her fiance, shouldn’t I take her place? After we get married, it’s only natural to inform her of where I go and what I do. It’s not a big deal.” Everyone in the room covered their mouths and laughed quietly. “Sophia really knows how to handle him. She turned the stubborn, untouchable prince of Jamestown into a devoted husband. How sweet!” Yvette sat quietly and listened to their teasing. She realized she no longer felt hurt by it. She smiled faintly at Yarden’s concerned gaze and nodded that she was fine. Soon, everyone wanted to play a game. Sophia lost more than ten rounds in a row because she did not know how to play. Henry drank all the punishment shots in front of her without any sign of annoyance. Watching him, Yvette got up quietly and went to the restroom. After washing her hands, she was about to return when a familiar voice came from the hallway. “Babe, do you know? The first time I saw you, I fell for you instantly. But you were always so cold to me. I thought you only saw me as a friend, so I never dared to confess. I could only stay by your side. Year after year, I realized that loving someone can make you anxious and unsure of yourself…” Henry leaned against Sophia. He was drunk. She held him gently and looked at him shyly. She said in a teasing tone, “Is that why you Yvette as a cover to make me your girlfriend? You really like me that much?” Chapter 8 “Yes… I like you… I like you a lot. “My phone is full of your photos. I have all your likes and dislikes written in my notes. I’ve pinned your chat to the top for over ten years. Every time you message me, I get so happy that I can’t sleep all night. I have also written many love letters for you. I’ll show them to you someday, okay?” Yvette had known Henry for eight years. This was the first time she saw him look so openly in love. She listened quietly as he confessed. For a moment, she remembered the time she had confessed to him. He had stared at her steadily. His eyes were clear and calm. There was no sign of any emotion. Back then, she had believed that if she kept trying, she might one day win his heart. Watching this, she realized that it did not matter whether she waited for eight, eighteen, or twenty-eight years; it would never happen. Some things were impossible. How could she ever win the heart of a man who loved another woman so deeply? Yvette did not stay. She returned to the private room alone. Yarden knew she was not comfortable in this kind of setting. He greeted everyone briefly and then led her away. The siblings went downstairs and were about to get a cab home when they saw a commotion ahead. Sophia and Henry were surrounded by a few drunk men. The two groups began arguing. Henry grew angry. He grabbed a bottle from a table and smashed it on one of the drunk men’s heads. The gang immediately became furious. They rushed at him and attacked. In an instant, the entire hall turned into chaos. People shouted and screamed. Bottles, tables, and chairs flew everywhere. Yarden’s face darkened as he watched. He took off his coat. Before he jumped straight into the fight, he said, “Yvette, go upstairs and get help.” Yvette’s heart raced. She hurried upstairs to call for help. When she returned with a group of people, she saw a drunk man with a bleeding head grab several bottles and swing them at Sophia, who was hiding in a corner and crying. Her heart leapt into her throat. Her eyes widened as she saw Henry rush forward without hesitation. He threw himself over Sophia. He used his body to shield her from every attack. Blood spurted like a fountain and soaked his white shirt. Yvette froze and stared in shock. Her breath hitched. She watched him. His body was covered in bruises and blood, yet he still stayed in front of Sophia. He did not take a single step back. Her heart ached. Only at that moment did she truly believe in Henry’s love for Sophia. He would risk his life for her. She stood there in a daze for a long time. When she finally came back to her senses, she realized she was in a hospital. The lights in the operating room went out. The doctor walked out and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He sounded relieved. “The surgery was successful. By the way, is Sophia the patient’s wife? He kept calling her name while he was unconscious. We recommend that she stay in the ICU with him. Talking to him might help him.” Hearing this, the group of friends urged Sophia to go to the hospital room to stay with him. After watching her leave, Yvette tugged on Yarden’s sleeve. “Yarden, let’s go home.” Yarden paused for a moment, then nodded and followed her. Back at home, Yvette took out her suitcase and began packing. Watching her get busy, Yarden felt uneasy. He stayed nearby and helped while keeping an eye on her. Yvette knew what he was worried about, but she felt calm. “Yarden, stop staring at me. I’m fine. I’ll be leaving in a couple of days. We won’t see each other for a long time. I’ll miss you. You must come visit me often.” A sharp ache hit Yarden’s heart. He rubbed her face as he always did. “Of course. I’ll come see you whenever I can. I also want to see how you get along with my friend.” Chapter 9 Over the next few days, Yvette stayed home to prepare for her trip abroad. She did not go out. On the day before she was due to leave, Yarden got drunk at Henry’s bachelor party. She got a call and went to pick him up. She arrived at the Lawson family’s villa soon after and rang the doorbell. A butler appeared to open the door and led her inside to find Yarden. In the past, Yvette often came here with Yarden whenever she had the chance, just so she could see Henry. She used to know the place well. She had not been here for a month, and the villa already felt unfamiliar. Every part of the house had been decorated for the wedding. Several tall trees in the yard were gone. They had been replaced with large rose gardens. The black and white decor had been changed to fresh shades of blue and green. The rooms were filled with wedding decorations. There were also many cute dolls and ornaments. The butler recognized Yvette. He talked to her as they walked. “Ms. Wilson, Mr. Lawson has been very busy lately. He has been preparing for the wedding. You have not been here for quite some time. You may not remember your way here as well. You once said you liked those pine trees because they were so lush. It’s a pity! The future Mrs. Lawson didn’t like them, so Mr. Lawson had them cut down. The furniture and style in the house have also been changed to match Mrs. Lawson’s taste. It looks much nicer now, doesn’t it? Mr. Lawson said that everything at home will follow Mrs. Lawson’s wishes in the future. I never expected him to be like this after getting married. It seems he truly loves the future Mrs. Lawson.” Yvette listened quietly. She said softly, “Yes. He really likes her. Anyone can see it.” They walked down the corridor and reached the lounge. It was loud inside. Yvette did not want to go in. She called Yarden and told him she had arrived. A moment later, the door opened. Henry came out, holding up Yarden, who was completely drunk. He froze for a second when he saw her. Yvette stayed calm. She greeted him politely. Yarden rubbed his unfocused eyes and waved at him. His voice was thick with alcohol. “Tomorrow… your wedding tomorrow… I won’t go. I have to go see… see…” He could not finish his sentence and passed out. Henry frowned. “What does Yarden have to do tomorrow? Won’t he be coming to my wedding?” Yvette knew Yarden was talking about dropping her off at the airport. But she did not want Henry to know she was leaving, so she shook her head. “He might be busy. Or he’s just talking nonsense.” She supported Yarden and turned to leave. She had only taken a few steps when Henry called out. “What about you? Will you come to the wedding tomorrow?” Yvette stopped. Her gaze stilled. Her tone was calm and accepting. “Yarden doesn’t want me to go. You probably don’t want to see me either. So, I won’t be attending. I’ll just wish you a happy marriage and a long life together. I may not get another chance to congratulate you.” Henry’s heart jolted when he heard that. ‘What did she mean by that?’ he thought. He could not understand. He wanted to stop her and ask, but Sophia called him at that moment. He hesitated for a few seconds, then answered. “Henry, don’t drink too much today. If you are late tomorrow, I won’t forgive you…” “Alright. I’ll listen to you.” Yvette heard his gentle response and his chuckle. She took Yarden home. She slept through the night. There were no dreams. When she woke up, it was already 8 a.m. After breakfast, Yarden drove her to the airport. The plane was scheduled to take off at 11 a.m. There was still time, so she said, “Yarden, you should go to the wedding. They must be waiting for you. I’ll call you when I arrive.” Yarden looked at his watch. He sighed and nodded. She watched him leave. Then, she walked through the gate alone and boarded the plane. Before takeoff, she was about to turn off her phone when Henry called. She paused for a moment. Then, she rejected the call and blocked his number. Before the plane took off, she looked at the city one last time. This was the place she had lived in for more than twenty years. Then, she closed her eyes. She felt no attachment to anything anymore.