“Rose.”
Leon tried to call her out loud. He tried to run towards her. However, for some reason, his voice wouldn’t come out, and his feet wouldn’t move.
The woman, whom he had been staring at for a while, finally turned her lonely face and got into the taxi she had been waiting for.
As the car started to move, his voice, as if in a lie, finally burst out.
“Rose!”
[Star Icon]In the midst of a luxurious restaurant, Sooyeon sat at the table, visibly tense.
The soft music and even the waiter’s kindness felt burdensome. Every time her eyes met with someone else’s, her heart inexplicably fluttered. It felt like they were all thinking, “Why is that person here?”
How would the lady who came to the ball without an invitation feel? In a place she shouldn’t be. As she felt increasingly breathless, a man with a refined physique approached.
He bowed.
Momentarily feeling a welcoming sentiment, when Taeha lowered his head towards Sooyeon, she asked nervously, “I’m really sorry, sir. It seems your father doesn’t have time to meet anyone right now.”
Sooyeon’s heart dropped silently. She tried not to show her trembling voice and asked, “By any chance, does your father have someone he likes?”
Taeha nodded with an expressionless face. “I apologize. I didn’t know.”
Of course not. Sooyeon nodded her head. After all, a man like him couldn’t have been alone all this time.
To meet him, she had dressed up in new clothes and spent hours grooming herself, and now she felt pitifully shabby. What was I expecting, coming here like this?
Sooyeon closed and opened her eyes.
“Taeha, could you do me a favor?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“From now on, don’t mention my story to your father twice more.”
It seemed that Taeha thought Sooyeon’s heart was hurting, as he sincerely apologized and didn’t know what to do.
“It’s all my fault. I acted recklessly without properly confirming your father’s intentions.”
“That’s not it. I just thought your father might feel burdened, so I said that.”
Sooyeon hurriedly shook her head. She didn’t want Taeha to feel so sorry. Although she was the one who kneeled and begged without properly checking her father’s intentions.
“I’m really fine, so don’t worry about it.”
If there’s someone else in Leon’s life, her presence would only be a hindrance. So, there’s no need to tell Taeha that she’s his mother.
Smiling at her son, whom she would never recognize, Sooyeon made an effort to smile.
“But can you occasionally come with Soohyun and meet me like now?”
That would be enough. Sooyeon murmured to herself.
If I can see your face occasionally, that would be enough to live.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Although Taeha suggested having a meal together, Sooyeon declined and stood up from her seat. She also declined his offer to give her a ride home.
“Then, at least let me escort you to this point.”
“I’m sorry, Taeha. I just want to be alone right now.”
Even though she felt like she might burst into tears any moment now, she didn’t want to show her pathetic side in front of her son.
Leaving behind a regretful Taeha, Sooyeon left the hotel alone. When she was about to get into the taxi waiting in front of the hotel, she suddenly noticed a man standing alone not far away.
Even from the silhouette, she could recognize him.
… That person.
As soon as their eyes met, Sooyeon saw surprise spread across his face.
…!
On her way to meet Leon, she had been curious all along.
What kind of expression would he make when he saw her face? Would he be happy? Uncomfortable? Or wouldn’t he recognize her at all?
In reality, it was none of the above.
He definitely recognized her. However, he didn’t do anything. He didn’t seem happy, uncomfortable, or even come forward to say a word of greeting. He just stood there, looking at her silently for a long time.
Seeing Leon, who recognized her but did nothing, Sooyeon deeply realized.
Ah, we are truly estranged.
How much time has passed? The taxi driver urged her.
“Ma’am, are you not getting in?”
Sooyeon got into the taxi. As she sat in the back seat and closed her eyes, the car started moving.
“Rose!”
She heard a voice calling from somewhere, but even that felt like a foolish illusion created by lingering attachment.
[Star Icon]After seeing off Sooyeon, Taeha went up to his room alone. Leon didn’t seem to have gone outside during that time.
[I just want to be alone right now.]Sooyeon not only refused to be taken home but also declined any escort. Her heart felt deeply hurt.
It was more bitter seeing Sooyeon, who she usually saw in a casual state at the restaurant, now beautifully dressed and made up. According to Si-hyun, her aunt wanted to meet her father alone. How much hurt would she feel, having been stood up without even seeing his face?
“I made a pointless mistake and made both of them uncomfortable.”
Taeha sighed deeply as if his soul had left him.
Suddenly, she couldn’t bear the thought of missing Si-hyun. Just as she was about to call her, the hotel room door opened.
“Father.”
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
