“If
you like it, even if someone outbids us, I’ll
try harder.”
He was sincere, but I shook my head. It was
just a material object.
Ethan seemed to compensate me, buying
anything I liked.
Returning home, I was overwhelmed by the
jewelry. Enough for a lifetime.
Ethan hugged me, his voice low.
“Not enough, my Scarlett is stunning, nothing.
is good enough.
My heart warmed; I kissed him.
He kissed me back intensely.
Jackson burst into the yard and saw this. He
dropped his antique box.
“Scarlett… what are you doing?”
The butler rushed in, apologizing to Ethan.
“Sorry, sir, he forced his way in…”
Ethan was annoyed. I reassured him and
looked at Jackson’s hurt expression.
“As you see, Mr. Lu, we were kissing.”
Jackson’s shock and disappointment were
palpable. “Scarlett, our engagement hasn’t
<
been canceled, come back with me.”
“No. I’m the future Hayes matriarch. The
invitations are sent, Mr. Lu is too late. It’s
unethical.”
Hearing me call him “Mr. Lu” was agonizing.
“Besides, didn’t you say that if it wasn’t for
the unrest in the city, you needed a fiancée to
attract attention? You didn’t need me, you
always loved my sister, Jessica, right?”
Jackson frowned, wanting to explain, but
didn’t know how.
“Scarlett, that’s not true, I was mistaken, I
don’t love Jessica, I love you…”
I laughed. “I didn’t hear wrong, you love me?”
“You love me, so you casually give away what
I treasure to another woman. When I was in
danger, you abandoned me, ignoring my
condition and forcing me to donate blood to
your sweetheart?”
“Or killing my pet, slapping me 999 times to
vent your anger for your sweetheart, then
using me as a shield to protect her?”
“You say you love me… is this what Mr. Lu’s
love looks like?”
Jackson was heartbroken.
“Scarlett, I was wrong, but I was deceived by
Jessica…”
“Do you remember when you were ten, at a
banquet, you helped a boy who broke his
leg?”
“I thought it was Jessica, but I found out
recently. I’ve been searching for years, the
person I promised to protect, the person I fell
in love with at first sight, was you!”
“I gave Jessica that diamond necklace you
liked, but I found a better one. This is bigger
and brighter, Scarlett, do you like it?”
He excitedly presented a diamond.
It was the one he outbid at the auction, for
- me.
L
But it was too late. I didn’t care.
“No need, I only accept gifts from my future
husband.”
“Let me introduce you, Ethan Hayes, my
fiancé.”
I leaned into Ethan’s arms, watching
Jackson’s face turn pale.
“Scarlett, I haven’t canceled our engagement
publicly, you’re still my fiancée, I won’t let you
marry him!”
“Scarlett, it’s my fault, give me a chance to
make it up to you.”
I shook my head.
“Jackson, I loved you, but that’s it.”
“Now I love Ethan, don’t bother me, let’s
maintain some dignity.”
“No!”
Jackson gritted his teeth. “The Hayes family
is powerful, many are after his position, he
can’t protect you!”
Ethan stepped forward. “Mr. Lu, don’t worry,
I’ll protect Scarlett with my life!”
“You’re blind, how can you protect her?”
“Slap!”
I slapped him. He was shocked. The woman
who’d risk her life for him now defended
another man.
He tasted blood, but still felt the pain.
“Jackson, take your diamond and get lost!”
Security intervened, and Jackson left
dejectedly.
Ethan pulled me into the room and pressed
me against the door.
“Ethan, are you angry…”
I cautiously asked, but he just caressed my
hand.
“Does it hurt? Your palm is red…”
He kissed my palm, making me weak.
“What did you say? How did you know my
palm was red?”
“Ethan, you… can you see?”
Ethan rested his head against mine. “Yes.
When you said we were kissing…”
My face flushed. He was happy about
regaining his sight.
The wedding day arrived. During the ring
exchange, someone barged in.
Jackson appeared with a dog.
“Scarlett, don’t marry him, okay?”
“Look, this dog looks just like Lucky, I’ll let it
keep you company. Can we be like before?”
“And Jessica, I’ve dealt with her, I married her
off to a disabled man in the mountains.”
“I’ll take care of everyone who hurt you!”
His eagerness was frightening.
“Enough, Mr. Lu, I’ve made it clear.”
“And you’re the one who hurt me the most…”
“Please leave, don’t disrupt my wedding.”
He laughed maniacally.
“You’re right, Scarlett, I hurt you the most. Let
me punish myself, then you’ll come back to
me!”
He began slapping himself. Nine hundred and
ninety–nine times, until his face was swollen.
“Enough? If not, I still have…”
He pulled out a knife and stabbed himself in
the chest.
“Scarlett, I made you donate blood when your
were weak…”
“Now, I’ll give it back…”
He stabbed himself again. Blood poured out,
soaking his suit. He collapsed, begging for
forgiveness.
“Scarlett, forgive me… forgive me…”
“Scarlett, I love you…”
Ethan signaled to the butler, and Jackson was
taken to the hospital.
The wedding, stained with blood, was finally
over. New life began.
Ethan’s sight was restored, and the internal
Ethan’s sight was restored, and the internal
struggle in the Hayes family ended.
Our life was peaceful.
Jackson, due to blood loss, was severely
weakened and bedridden, losing his vitality.
He never bothered me again, seeming to let
- go. Only those close to him knew he’d gaze
toward Chicago for hours every day. He was
remembering, regretting. If he’d accepted me
that day…
There’s no turning back.
【The End】
