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💔🔞🔥On the day I was supposed to get my marriage license, I found myself at city hall bright and early, waiting from 8 AM until it closed. Just as I was walking out, feeling the curious stares from the crowd, I got a message from Austin Herrera, saying something had come up at work, and we'd need to reschedule.ac When I got back to our empty house, I opened my phone and saw an Instagram post from Austin's childhood sweetheart: [Thanks for the birthday gift, Austin.] The photo showed a beautiful scene on an island, and in the corner, I could still see a guy with a well-defined physique. Scrolling through the comments, it was all compliments and a bit of playful envy about having such a great friend. After giving the post a like, I decided to reach out to my friend. [Hey, can you set up that blind date you mentioned last time?] ***** I'd been in love with Austin for six years, and during that time, I'd transformed from a young girl into a woman nearly thirty. My family had been all about the wedding talk, and I kept bringing up marriage with Austin, but he always seemed to put it off. Just when I thought I might be done waiting, he surprised me by proposing in public not too long ago. Today was supposed to be the big day for us to get our license. Two days ago, my mom called out of the blue, saying, "Sweetie, I consulted someone, and they say the day after tomorrow is a perfect day for you to get your license." I couldn't help but laugh, and of course, Austin heard me. He pulled me into a warm embrace and tootshieured me he was all in for anything I needed. But then, right before our license appointment yesterday, he suddenly started packing his bags for a business trip. Before he left, he gently ruffled my hair and said, "Don't worry, it's just for a day. I'll definitely be back in time." Looking into his calm eyes, I held back the words I wanted to say. I just smiled as I dropped him off at the airport, feeling happy. Even last night when we talked, he swore he was already at the airport. Today, I woke up early, put on some light makeup, and headed to the city hall with my driver's license in hand. I couldn't help but daydream about the amazing life we'd have together. As time ticked by, the fresh rose in my hand slowly wilted. I called Austin multiple times, but none of my calls went through, and I couldn't shake the worry that something might have happened to him. I even reached out to a coworker who was supposed to be traveling with him, trying to get some intel. Turns out, they hadn't been on any trip at all. "Ms. Parks, I heard Mr. Herrera took a week off just to get ready for the wedding. I'd be thrilled to attend your wedding," the guy said. "I'll see you then," I replied, chuckling weakly before hanging up. I still found myself wondering if this whole thing was some sort of surprise that Austin was planning for me. When I finally got home, the place was empty, and as I flipped the lights on, I realized there wasn't going to be any surprise waiting for me after all. Feeling a bit let down, I collapsed on the couch and tried to clear my mind about what Austin was actually up to. Just then, I got a message from Austin: [The company had a temporary issue. We'd have to get the license some other time.] I replied with a simple [Sure.] Then, out of curiosity, I opened Instagram and found a post from Austin's childhood sweetheart. [Thanks for the birthday gift, Austin.] It was accompanied by a photo of an island. There was a girl in a cute swimsuit lounging under a coconut tree, donning a wide sun hat and carrying a limited edition bag. And in the reflections of her sungltootshiees was a solidly-built guy snapping a pic of her. Yeah, that was definitely Austin off on a supposedly "temporary" commitment. Scrolling through the comments, I saw others lamenting how they wished they had a brother like him. I couldn't help but chuckle. Honestly, I felt pretty foolish. Just earlier, I was all worried about him, and now here I was, making excuses for his obvious lies. I was so hopelessly dumb. A dull ache settled in my chest. I'd been in love with Austin for six long years, and those sweet moments we shared were often tainted by things that didn't really belong to us. There was his childhood sweetheart, Rosemary Read. Her parents had ptootshieed away when she was young, and she ended up being raised in Austin's home, which made them incredibly close, almost like siblings. On my birthday, I'd find myself blowing out candles alone while he'd get wrapped up in some excuse related to Rosemary. He'd even bring her along on our dates, saying he couldn't leave her alone at home. And when he finally proposed, he bought her a dress from the same collection he picked for me because, apparently, she liked it too. All those memories flooded back, and every argument we had over Rosemary ended with that same phrase from him. "She's just my little sister." My heart sank a little deeper, especially knowing he was off vacationing on some island with Rosemary while I sat at home waiting for him. Six years. How many more of these could I take? Growing up without a father, I always wanted a complete family, dreaming that my future kids would have a happy home. I smiled bitterly, wiping away the tears that had slipped out. I even liked this post, hoping he'd take a hint. Then, I turned around and casually messaged a friend: [Hey, can you set up that blind date you mentioned last time?] ***** Austin returned home three days later. He walked in with an icy chill hanging around him and stood in the foyer, waiting for me to come help with the bags. I stayed put on the couch, not giving him a glance. When I didn't move, he finally spoke up, "Laurel, I'm home." I just hummed and kept my eyes glued to the TV. Noticing something was off, he hung his snow-drenched jacket by the door and made his way over to me. He wrapped me in his arms and softly asked if I was upset. "Laurel, I'm sorry. That project was a bit tricky," he said. I tuned into his steady heartbeat, which didn't skip a beat even when he lied. "I saw Rosemary's Instagram," I shot back, locking my gaze on him to see how he'd react. When I dropped Rosemary's name, I could see his face tighten with annoyance, and I could hear it in his voice. "Rosemary just happened to be there, and I swung by for her birthday. How many times do I have to tell you I think of her like a little sister?" Just like I thought, he was sticking to the same old script. "Oh, so you had time for her birthday but no time to give me a call?" I asked. During the time I couldn't reach him, my mind raced, wondering if he was safe. I felt a lump in my throat as I fought to hold back tears in front of him. Austin pressed his lips together and stubbornly added, "What difference does it make? We still couldn't get a license anyway." I looked at him, the guy I'd spent six years with, and felt a wave of disappointment wash over me. For a moment, I didn't even want to argue. Just then, the doorbell rang. I got up to answer it, and it was Rosemary. She had a big bag in her hand and smiled warmly at me. "Laurel, you're here. I brought Austin's stuff he left at my place." She handed me the bag, revealing a bracelet around her wrist. My heart dropped when I saw it, and I froze as I took the bag in my hands. That bracelet was special. Austin had traveled to several cities to get it for me. When he gave it to me, he said, "I hope this brings you luck." Turns out, what I thought was something unique between us, he had given to Rosemary too. "Sorry, Laurel," Rosemary said, her hands together and her head tilted, her eyes wide with innocence. .............................................................................. "You're not upset that Austin took me on vacation for my birthday, are you?" Rosemary asked. I looked at her, not saying a word, and quietly closed the door behind me. ***** I went cold turkey with Austin. Every time we fought about Rosemary, it would spark a silent war. Austin had gotten used to this pattern, knowing that after three days, I'd be back in front of him, ready to make up. I hadn't even drifted off to sleep when there was a loud knock at my door. "Laurel!" Austin shouted, his voice filled with frustration. I opened the door, and he shoved his phone at me. "How many times do I have to say it? Rosemary is just my sister! Why do you take it so personally?" I was clueless. "What did I do to her?" "And you have the nerve to ask! Did you say something to her when she came over? Mom said she's been off since she got back, and now she's in the hospital because of her depression!" I glanced at Austin's phone, the screen showing a picture of Rosemary lying weakly in a hospital bed, her wrist wrapped in thick gauze. "I didn't say anything to her," I said. I was being honest. Austin said to me sharply with one hand around my neck, "If anything goes wrong with Rosemary, you can forget about marrying me." I wanted to call him a psycho, but I couldn't get half a sound out of my throat, and I frantically scratched at Austin's hand, desperate for him to let me go. Just when I felt like I might ptootshie out, he threw me to the ground and looked down at me, condescendingly saying, "After everything we've been through, if you don't go after Rosemary again, I might actually think about marrying you." With that, he turned and stormed downstairs, snatching the keys from the table before slamming the door behind him. I was left sitting on the floor, struggling to catch my breath. It felt like my heart was completely shattered. He made these wild accusations without a shred of proof, and it was like he was losing it over it all. I wobbled a bit as I pushed myself up, steadying myself against the wall, and grabbed the phone that had been ringing off the hook on the nightstand. "Laurel, it's been ages! Want to grab a drink?" It was Erin George, my high school cltootshiemate, someone I hadn't seen in years. She had just landed in Newton City and was only around for a day before she headed back. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I agreed to meet her. ***** Erin had reserved a fancy dining room and invited a few of our close friends from the area. The vibe was chill as we all caught up, sharing stories from our lives while reminiscing about the good old times. "So, Laurel, how are things with you and Austin? Still not married?" Erin shot me a teasing look. Back in the day, everyone figured Austin and I would end up together since we were high school sweethearts who went to the same college. I tugged at the collar of my turtleneck sweater, avoiding eye contact as I swirled the wine in my gltootshie before downing it. "Nope. Guess it just wasn't meant to be." Polly Maxwell frowned, leaning in. "Is it you or him who doesn't want it anymore?" "It's him," I replied, feeling the weight of those words. Suddenly, Polly slammed her hand on the table hard enough to send her fork clattering to the ground. "Is it because of Rosemary? I warned you ages ago that she'd always be in the way between you two, but you wouldn't listen!" I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh and shake my head. I always thought Austin just liked pampering his "sister." "Rosemary?" Laura Watson chimed in, pulling out her phone to show us something. She played a video that caught everyone's attention: there was Rosemary, wildly banging on a middle-aged guy with her heel. The man held her wrists firmly and was telling bystanders, "My wife is just having a tantrum, so don't mind her." With tears in her eyes, Rosemary was begging, "No, please help me!" The video ended with a tall guy standing up to confront the burly man, announcing that the police were on their way. Just before he left, the burly guy leaned in to whisper something threatening to Rosemary. "It went viral in my neighborhood—everyone was saying the guy was a psychopath and warned to be careful when going out." Laura looked at me, her eyes filled with pity. "It looked like Rosemary." "It's her," I said calmly, unable to shake the unsettling feeling. The woman in the video looked just like Rosemary, from her hair to the outfit she wore. Austin had vaguely mentioned that Rosemary had been molested as a child, leaving her with deep psychological scars. I couldn't help but think the psycho had something to do with her suicide. "Quit bringing her up. I told you Austin's no good for you. When the heck are you finally gonna dump him?" Polly, a bit tipsy, shot me a disapproving look, like she was ready to jump on me if I said I still had feelings for Austin. Outside, the rain drizzled against the window, and I noticed a dull ache from the bruise on my neck. I stared at the raindrops sliding down the gltootshie, feeling a bit lost. "Just a couple more days." ***** A week later, Austin got in touch again. The whole Rosemary situation had somehow made the news, and I followed it reluctantly. The report said the man was in a psychiatric hospital, and the girl who was involved was under close protection by her family. I knew Austin was aware of the truth. When he called, instead of apologizing, he casually informed me he'd be home for dinner tonight. I shrugged it off, "Anything else?" The agent waited patiently for me to sign the contract, and I double-checked everything before putting my name down. Austin was quiet for a while, then finally said, "Laurel, about the other day, I..." I kept silent, waiting for him to continue. In the end, I didn't get the apology I expected. Instead, he blurted out, "Let's get married, Laurel. I'll meet you at the city hall tomorrow." I couldn't help but smile ironically, feeling an unusual heaviness in my heart. Had I been so indulgent with him over the years that I'd given him the impression this was how to make it up to me? Did he really think I was that easy to brush aside? "No, thanks," I replied. His displeasure was clear. "What do you mean, no?" I strolled over to the window to take in the view of Newton City, a place I'd been stuck in for what felt like ages. I moved here for Austin since his whole family was based in this city. I saved up every penny to buy this house, hoping that one day, if I got married, my mom would come to live here with me. It'd make it easier to care for her. But honestly, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being pretty selfish, making her move to a strange city just for me. Right now, though, I'd never felt more sober. "I mean, we're done," I said. Austin was about to say more when I heard Rosemary's voice blaring on the other end. "Austin, where are you?" He left me a quick, irritated "Cut it out" and hung up. The agent beside me pretended not to notice the commotion and flashed a smile, saying, "Ms. Parks, the funds will arrive within 24 hours." I nodded and handed him the key. "Thanks. Here you go." .............................................................................. After selling the house, I drove back to the place I shared with Austin and opened the door to an eerie stillness. It seemed Austin hadn't been around for a while—he'd been busy taking care of Rosemary at the hospital. I couldn't help but smirk a little. Honestly, that was fine by me. I'd rather not run into him. Most of my stuff was in the second bedroom, and over the years, I'd had my fair share of arguments with Austin about Rosemary. I had spent my time in that room during the rough patches and felt like I was constantly keeping my head down. A bitter smile crept across my face as I packed up my things, remembering how submissive I used to be. I didn't bother keeping anything that reminded me of Austin. Two hours later, I wiped the beads of sweat off my forehead with a tissue, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief. Then, my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID and saw it was my mom. I hesitated for a second before answering. "Hey, Mom." Her voice was filled with that familiar mix of excitement and nostalgia. "Laurel, how's it going? Have you gotten the license yet? Have you and Austin talked about the wedding plans?" I felt something tighten in my throat as I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. There was a long, awkward silence, and when my mom began to press me, I took a deep breath, fighting back tears. "Mom, I'm not getting married." "What do you mean, Laurel? What's going on?" Her tone turned anxious. I tried to explain, "I just don't think Austin and I are right for each other." Her voice rose slightly. "But Laurel, you've been together forever! Why say this now, right before the wedding? Come on, you're 27, not a kid anymore." It struck me that without even asking what I was feeling, she just urged me to get married. Tears filled my eyes, and I had to cover my mouth to keep from breaking down. After what felt like forever, I found my voice, "Mom, I really just don't want to marry him." My mom didn't hold back her frustration. "So what do you want, then? Just give up on all these years?" When she heard my firm answer, her tone shifted. "Laurel, how can you just say you don't want this after all this time?" "Well, I just said it," I shot back, feeling overwhelmed. My mom's voice suddenly went all high-pitched, probably still trying to convince me, and before she could make a sound, I heard a dull thud from the other end of the line. "Mom?" I called out but got no response. A wave of panic hit me like a freight train. "Mom! What's wrong? Please answer me!" All I could make out was a faint moan of pain coming from her. My heart clenched tight, and I hung up in a hurry, flipping on the home security feed. In my panic, my phone slipped from my shaking hands, sliding under the couch like it was covered in grease. I dropped to my knees, desperately reaching for my phone. The security footage showed my mom, clearly in distress, clutching her chest and reaching for her medicine on the table. All I wanted to do was dive through the screen and hand her the pills she needed. I had only one thought racing through my mind: save my mom. I quickly opened my contacts and dialed my aunt, Bonnie Porter, who lived in the same building with my mom. "Come on, pick up!" I pleaded, praying she'd answer fast. The ten seconds felt like an eternity, but finally, Bonnie picked up. I burst into tears, sounding like a total mess as I exclaimed, "Aunt Bonnie, my mom is having an attack! You need to hurry!" Bonnie sounded surprised but jumped into action, heading over to my mom's place while trying to calm me down. I hung up and immediately called for an ambulance, anxiously switching back to the feed, just hoping someone would get to my mom in time. At that moment, I regretted everything about moving to Newton City alone and leaving my mom all by herself. Watching her suffer through a screen felt like a nightmare. I couldn't help but blame myself for being so hasty in talking to her and pushing her buttons. The self-loathing and regret were overwhelming. I shouldn't have done that. I was so wrong. I promised myself, never again. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of two minutes, I heard the doorbell chime, signaling that Bonnie had entered the house. She rushed in, looking almost like an angel descending from above, and quickly administered the medicine from the table to my mom. Through the monitor, I watched as my mom's pale expression started to ease up while my phone slipped weakly to the floor. Bonnie called me to let me know that my mom was out of danger, and I insisted she take her to the hospital for a follow-up. It wasn't until I hung up that I felt like I'd regained my sanity, and my heart, which was racing like crazy, finally calmed down. Taking a deep breath, I picked up the pace with my packing. The thought of leaving Newton City was getting harder to shake off. The moving guys were still on their way, so I was waiting and checking in with Bonnie about my mom's condition when, out of nowhere, Austin appeared right in front of me. The sound of the bouquet hitting the floor snapped me out of my phone trance, and I was taken aback by his sudden presence. He was all dressed up in a sharp suit and tie, with his hair styled just right, showing off a smooth forehead that gave him a touch of mature charm. A bunch of delicate roses lay discarded at his feet. His eyes looked stormy, filled with suppressed anger as he gritted out, "Laurel, what do you mean by that?" "Didn't I tell you? I want to break up. Do you not get it?" My emotions were all over the place, and I was starting to lose my patience, saying whatever popped into my head. He kicked the coffee table in frustration, sending gltootshie flying, and pointed at the photo I had tossed in the trash, shouting angrily, "I'm going to get a marriage license with you today. What do you mean?" So that was why he dressed up—he thought we were heading to get a license. I tootshieumed he dressed to the nine to pick up Rosemary from the hospital. "I don't need that—" I tried to shoot back. Before I could finish, he cut me off, "Didn't I promise to marry you? What do you want? Are you done with your little tantrum? If you don't marry me, what are you going to say to your mom?" Looking at his smug face, I couldn't help but think he knew how much my mom had been looking forward to my wedding for ages. So he knew all the time. He kept me waiting for three long years before finally agreeing to marry me, fully aware of my mom's situation. It was just heartbreaking. What was I even doing falling for him? I found myself staring at Austin in silence, my eyes reflecting a deep emptiness. His anger started to fade as he seemed to regain some composure, and he began to softly coax me, "I was wrong to stand you up, Laurel. Can we move past this?" My resolve started to waver, but not because of him—it was all about my mom. I really worried that she would get so upset over everything that it would send her into another health scare. She'd been adamant about me starting a family, and she'd definitely prefer Austin, the guy I've been in love with for years, over some blind date she barely knew. That bruise on my neck was a constant reminder that I shouldn't just give in. But my mom was still stuck in that hospital bed, and it stopped me cold. Just as I was about to crack, something unexpected happened that helped me decide what to do. .............................................................................. At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared, and I was taken aback to see Rosemary standing right in front of me. She looked drained and pale, wearing a white dress that did nothing to hide her distress. "Laurel, are you mad at Austin?" Rosemary's eyes were glossy with unshed tears, and there was a mix of fear and helplessness in her expression. She continued, her voice cracking, "It's all my fault. I didn't clarify things with Austin, and that's what led to the misunderstanding between you two." I remained silent, my gaze fixed on Rosemary. "Please, don't be angry with him. I'm truly sorry," she pleaded, clearly overwhelmed. "Austin has been planning for ages to get a marriage license with you." She bit her lip, looking extremely weak. I was about to reply when Austin, whose face was dark with frustration, said, "Laurel, enough already. Rosemary came here to apologize—what more do you want from her?" I noticed the bruise on her wrist, wrapped in cloth, and shifted my attention to Austin, "Austin, how about you make a choice? You can either have me or Rosemary." "That's enough, Laurel!" he snapped, glaring at me as though he could burn a hole right through me. The answer had been clear for a while, but here I was, still holding on. Not for him, but for myself. Six years. How did I lose myself in all this and end up loving a guy like him? I had no idea. I looked at Austin, trying to keep my cool, and gave a faint smile. "So, if I go celelarkere another guy's birthday, hang around when he's sick, and baby him every now and then, does that make me just some shameless woman in your eyes?" "Laurel, Austin and I are not what you think," Rosemary mumbled, her surprise evident. "Come on, Rosemary. You know Austin and I are getting married, so why do you keep showing up looking all innocent? You're playing the role of the 'good girl' pretty well," I shot back. With those words, Rosemary froze, disbelief written all over her face, and then she burst into tears. Pop! Austin's brow furrowed in anger as he stared at me, who had been slapped to the ground by him. "Laurel," Rosemary's reaction was immediate as she rushed to help me. But I caught a glimpse of a smirk creeping onto her lips just before she lowered her gaze. It was quick but telling. " off!" The words flew out before I could stop myself, and Rosemary stumbled back a couple of steps. "Laurel," Austin said, his eyes heavy with disappointment. "You've turned into a green-eyed monster. Rosemary was just trying to help you, and you went and pushed her away?" Rosemary started tugging on his arm, stammering, "Austin, I'm fine. It's my fault. I made Laurel mad." I finally managed to stand and let out a soft laugh. "What a twist! Did I even touch you, Rosemary? No matter what happens, suddenly it's my fault? Am I like some kind of biochemical weapon just for you?" Rosemary looked stunned, lost for words, but then tears started streaming down her face as if they were on a mission. "Laurel, I want you to apologize to Rosemary! Or else I'm not getting married," Austin demanded, furrowing his brow. He seemed totally unfazed by the breakup talk. Sure, I usually brought up breakups during our fights, but in the end, all it took was a little coaxing from him, and I'd be back on his side, pretending nothing had ever gone wrong. I didn't want to dwell on these arguments to protect our feelings. But suddenly it hit me: what Austin and I had was just me fooling myself, constantly backing down and giving in. "Austin, we're done. I'm the one who called it off. You both handle it from here," I said, wanting nothing more than to walk away from the mess and that rabble for good. With that, I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door, not looking back. Rosemary was still trying to reason with Austin. "Austin, you should go after Laurel. This is all my fault," she pleaded. "Relax, she's just having a little meltdown. She won't really break up with me," Austin tootshieured her. Once I settled into the cab, I noticed the two of them on the security camera, wrapped up in each other's arms, and I couldn't help but smirk a little. They claimed there was nothing between them, but deep down, I knew the truth. I raised a hand to my cheek, still tender from Austin's earlier blow, and it felt like a knife twisted in my heart. The ache spread through my body, a reminder of the six years I'd wasted. I wasn't crying, but my heart felt so heavy it was hard to breathe. After a moment of reflection, I pulled up the video I had just recorded and posted it on my Instagram. Since I decided to cut ties with Austin, I figured it was only fitting to finish what they started. I wasn't going to take this slap for nothing. I crafted my last message: [A shoutout to those who'd supported me over the past six years. I am officially breaking up with Austin.] With a final click, I powered off my phone. Clutching an ice pack over my throbbing head, I glanced at the city disappearing beneath me. There was a mix of humiliation and anger in my heart, but seeing the bright blue sky somehow lightened the burden a bit. Before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep, only to wake up with tears streaming down my face. Just then, a long, elegant hand offered me a gray handkerchief. "Here," the owner of the pretty hand said, his voice smooth and calming. "Thanks," I mumbled, taking it awkwardly. "Are you alright?" he asked, a note of concern in his tone. I nodded, forcing a bittersweet smile. "I'm fine, just a bad dream." I dreamt back to the first time I laid eyes on Austin, my heart racing—it was definitely one of those love-at-first-sight moments. Later on, I even went so far as to lower my standards just to get into the same school as him. I thought it would lead to a better life, but honestly, I was just squandering my best years. It was interesting how sometimes the wrong person could feel scarier than facing a real demon. I let out a deep sigh and turned to glance at the guy sitting next to me. Just one look, and my whole body froze. My heart raced as I managed to stammer, "Un-uncle Alex, what are you doing here?" Alex Herrera raised an eyebrow, sizing me up before casually saying, "Didn't you break up with Austin? Why do you still call me uncle?" .............................................................................. I took a deep breath when I unexpectedly ran into Alex on the plane. How did I end up meeting him here? He was Austin's uncle and Raphael Herrera's youngest son. In the Herrera family, he was the one everyone feared—especially Austin. Growing up, Alex was molded to be someone else entirely. When I first heard his name, I pictured a woman, but instead, I found this incredibly handsome guy—more stunning than most women I know. Not only did he have looks, but he had also got this air of sophistication about him. At a young age, he was already seated as the president of Herrera Group. Though he was only six years older than Austin, Austin had to call him uncle, and I was dating Austin, so I'd been doing the same. But now that Austin and I were officially done, it felt silly to still call him that. "Did you and Austin have a fallout?" Alex asked, his voice lowered as he crossed his legs, a knowing smile on his face. "No, it's a breakup," I said, trying to sound confident. "A breakup?" He looked surprised, still smiling, but I could tell he didn't buy it. I mean, who could blame him? Being married to Austin, a rich young man from the Herrera family, seemed like a dream for most women. Besides, after six years together, how could I possibly just walk away from that? Back then, I was all-in on Austin. Everyone thought I was just lucky to be with him, and honestly, if he'd revealed his true identity back in school, I might not have been his pick in the first place. Now, I was nearing thirty with nothing to show for it—who was I to break up with him? Even Austin tootshieumed I was head over heels for him and that suggesting a breakup was just me throwing a fit. "Yeah," I said, taking a deep breath to steady myself, trying my best to keep it cool. "I saw your Instagram." Alex looked up slowly, his voice still calm and soft. It felt like the way an elder talked to a younger person, but the light in his eyes—slightly reminiscent of Austin's—hit me with a mix of panic and awe. I honestly hadn't expected Alex to keep tabs on my Instagram, and I'd even forgotten he had an account. He rarely said much online, just a few holiday photos now and then. I seriously wondered if he even used it himself. "As long as you've thought it through," he added. I was taken aback for a second, waiting for Alex to drop some words of shame or caution about being impulsive. Instead, he surprised me with his response. The tension in my chest vanished instantly as I managed a shy smile and nodded silently. I didn't breathe a sigh of relief until the plane touched down and I watched Alex stand up and grab his luggage. Although he wasn't as intimidating as I had imagined, he still had this unshakeable aura that felt heavy. As I stepped out of the airport, a black Alphard suddenly pulled up right in front of me. Before I could process it, the driver came over and said, "Ms. Parks, Mr. Herrera asked me to give you a ride." I opened my mouth to decline, but when the window rolled down and I saw that gorgeous face, words just vanished. At that moment, it hit me—Austin's fear of Alex was totally justified. The guy had such a strong presence that I felt too timid to say no. "Get in the car. It's going to rain soon," Alex said, glancing at me with that cool gaze. I found myself sliding into the car without a second thought. Sitting beside him, I quickly masked my emotions. My face was calm, but inside, I felt this strange unease. After all, I had just broken up with Austin. Why would Alex bother giving me a ride? Was it just because of the rain? Or maybe he felt sorry for me? Trying to figure it out was a lost cause, especially since Alex and I had only crossed paths a few times. It was not like a guy like him would focus on someone like me. Maybe it was just pity, some kindness for someone who had just got out of a serious relationship. Honestly, I decided not to overthink it. "Where to?" Alex's calm voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "The hospital," I replied almost automatically, without thinking twice. Honestly, I felt a bit awkward saying that, but I was already thankful that I kept my home address under wraps. All of a sudden, it started pouring rain. It didn't even register with me that it was actually raining. Half an hour later, we pulled up outside the hospital. The driver got out, grabbed my luggage from the trunk, and strolled over with an umbrella in hand. As I stepped out, I glanced back at Alex, who was sitting in the car with his eyes half-closed. I swallowed my thanks and left. Taking my suitcase and turning my back to the sleek black car, I finally let out a long sigh of relief. In my mind, I couldn't shake the image of Alex's striking profile. He was clearly in his early thirties but carried an air of maturity that made him seem older. It was a shame, too, because, with a face like that, Alex would probably attract a lot of young admirers. As I walked into the hospital and fished out my phone, a call came in from an unknown number. After a brief moment of hesitation, I hit the answer button. "Laurel, what the heck is wrong with you? Do you even realize that Rosemary is sick because of you?" It was Amanda Herrera, Austin's mother, and her angry voice echoed through the line. I stood there for a second, stunned, gripping my suitcase tightly. "Laurel, you need to come back right now and apologize to Rosemary. Clear things up online and say you posted that video by accident. We'll let this slide!" Amanda demanded. I instinctively ran my fingers over my throat, which still felt a bit sore. I was relieved that I hadn't gone through with getting a license with Austin. Honestly, I was grateful for the last three years of not marrying him. It took me a while to truly see how ridiculous I was being. Looking back on the past six years, it felt like I'd thrown a piece of my heart to the wolves. I looked at her and said, "Mrs. Herrera, Austin and I are through. So, do me a favor and don't bother me again." "Laurel, enough already! You're really crossing the line here. My mom called you—so what the heck do you want from me?" Austin's voice came through, sharp and frustrated.