I’ve had four boyfriends in total. My first boyfriend was a rich playboy. I chased him for two years, and we dated for three months. When we broke up, he looked down at me, aloof and condescending: “Willow, you were nothing more than a passing amusement.” My second boyfriend was a university professor. I pursued him first too, and we dated for a year. When we broke up, he smiled gently: “Willow, I don’t have the time to wait for you to grow up.” My third boyfriend was a huge celebrity. I didn’t chase him; he chased me. When we broke up, he sneered, “An illegitimate child really is a disgusting thing, isn’t it? Just a little attention, and you came practically throwing yourself at me.” Later, Landon and I announced our marriage, and then, one by one, they all came knocking on my door. [Long roads of life, long journeys with you.] I posted a marriage announcement on my Ins story, with a picture of Landon and me holding our marriage certificate. Friends who knew me well flooded the comments with blessings. Among the many well wishes, I spotted a jarring remark. [Are you serious?] I checked the sender. It was Liam. Liam, my first boyfriend, technically my first love, I guess. But our breakup was so humiliating that he didn’t leave any ‘first love’ glow surrounding him for me. Given Liam’s arrogant nature, he should have unfriended me ages ago. Why did he keep my contact information all this time? Maybe he just thought it was irrelevant and didn’t bother deleting it. I replied to each blessing, casually skipping over Liam’s ambiguous comment. I sent Landon a voice message: [Could you pick up a blueberry cupcake for me on your way home?] Just as I sent it, I saw a message from Gavin. It caught me off guard. Why was Gavin messaging me? [Are you getting married?] My heart felt heavy. With Gavin, I’d imagined our future together more than once. I met Gavin when I was in college; he was a Ph.D. senior and six years older than me. He was gentle, considerate, and always polite. Even when we broke up, he remained calm. Even though I cried and begged him not to leave, he still gently wiped away my tears and, with a soft smile, said, “Willow, you’re too immature. I don’t have the time to wait for you to grow up.” That was Gavin. He was always so self-controlled, so by the book. When I was hysterical during our breakup, he remained calm and composed. He’d point out my flaws as if he were giving a scholarly presentation, which then plunged me into a period of relentless self-doubt and emotional exhaustion for quite some time. But those painful days were behind me. I glanced at the marriage certificate on my table. I’d found my true home. [Yes, we’ve already tied the knot.] The “typing…” indicator stayed on for a long time before a message finally came through: [Congratulations.] [Thank you, Gavin.] It turned out that even such intense love and hatred for Gavin could fade with time. I scrolled through TikTok for a bit and saw that the top trending news was Jaxon, the A-list actor, visibly losing his cool during a live stream. The comments below were all variations of: [What news did our oppa see? His face changed in an instant!] I raised an eyebrow. That kid, even after all these years, he still couldn’t hide his emotions. But given his status and background, he didn’t really need to. Jaxon, my third boyfriend. Though his words during our breakup were incredibly harsh, they didn’t really affect me. From the first day we started dating, I knew we wouldn’t last. I knew he had ulterior motives, but I was so lonely then. I just wanted someone to be with me, so when he chased me, I agreed. I was a little curious about what Jaxon had seen to react that way. Just then, the doorbell rang. Landon walked in, holding a small cake. Looking at the tall, imposing man before me, it was hard to imagine us together.
Landon and I meeting was a complete accident. I had just broken up with Jaxon not long before. Although I’d known this day would come, I’m a very emotional person, and I was still feeling low. So, I went traveling to Wyoming, and that’s where I ran into Landon. Landon was a lawyer. I had actually met him once before. When the man I knew as my father passed away, everyone was called back to divide the estate. Even though I was an illegitimate daughter, the law still protected my rights as a legitimate heir. Landon was the lawyer handling the case then. I ended up with three million and an apartment. For a family as wealthy as the Carmichaels, it was barely a drop in the ocean. I knew without a doubt that my half-brother and half-sister had deliberately ‘taken care’ of me; the other illegitimate children of the Carmichael family received more. I also knew why they hated me so much, but it didn’t matter. That money was enough for me to live a simple life. Back then, Landon, in his professional manner, asked if I needed him to provide legal assistance. I said no. After that, we never saw each other again. I never expected that we would meet again in picturesque Wyoming. Landon said his wallet and ID had been stolen, and I was the only person he knew there. He asked if I’d let him tag along. I figured I was already out enjoying myself, and besides, as a lone woman, it wasn’t really safe. So, I agreed. Landon usually seemed like a cold, reserved person, but he was surprisingly good at taking care of others. He knew a lot about everything; no matter what I talked about, he could always chime in. Traveling with him was genuinely delightful. He taught me how to ride a horse. On the vast prairies of Wyoming, he took me galloping, with the world seemingly at our feet. In that moment, I truly felt I could let go of the misfortune and pain of my past twenty-something years. I’m a graphic novelist. I turned my experiences in Wyoming into a graphic novel, and overnight, it became a massive hit online. My career success helped me forget my romantic setbacks. After returning to New York City, Landon and I grew closer. We’d talk about everything under the sun, from local gossip to global affairs. Sometimes I’d marvel at how much Landon and I resonated intellectually; we had a connection as if we’d known each other for ages. Landon and I would often plan trips together. One evening in New Orleans, after we’d had a few drinks, the moon hung bright in the sky. I smiled and asked Landon, “Do you… like me?” Landon smiled faintly too. “Did you notice?” “I wasn’t entirely sure, but I had a feeling you did.” “No need to be unsure. I like you. I’ve liked you for a very long time.” Landon’s eyes shone brightly, like stars. After he said that, he just kept looking at me. Landon later told me he was so nervous then, afraid I would reject him. I suddenly burst out laughing. “I like you too.” Landon and I got together so naturally, it felt like we were destined. After we started dating, Landon took me to do many things I’d never dared to try before. He took me to Antarctica to see penguins, to Australia to witness a volcanic eruption. On a stormy cruise ship, we kissed passionately, lost in the moment. “Willow, life is meant to be lived intensely. I hope you always shine brightly.” Meeting Landon filled so much of my emptiness and loneliness. So when he proposed, I didn’t hesitate for a second to say yes.
It was Mr. Carmichael’s 90th birthday, and all us younger relatives were summoned to celebrate. I absolutely dreaded going, but Mr. Carmichael loved his reputation more than anything. If I dared to disrespect him publicly, he’d probably banish me from New York City. Besides, he was the one who stopped my half-siblings when they tried to make my life hell. So, even though I knew the feast would turn my stomach, I had to go. Thankfully, Landon would be with me. My half-siblings still looked at me as if I were garbage, their disgust impossible to hide. There were four illegitimate children in the Carmichael family, but my half-siblings hated me the most. My mother, you see, was very shrewd, and she almost managed to marry their father, becoming his official wife. I was brought into the Carmichael household at age twelve. They gave me a privileged life, but it was also the place I detested most. Genevieve never liked me. She constantly bullied me behind the scenes—locking me in the yard during rainstorms, cutting off the power to my room and sealing the windows shut in the summer, inciting my classmates to bully me at school. Of everyone in the Carmichael family, I hated Genevieve the most. When I discovered Genevieve had a crush on Liam, a method of revenge suddenly clicked in my mind. I would hook Liam, and let that stuck-up princess Genevieve experience the taste of loss. I spent two years carefully cultivating an innocent, unassuming persona around Liam. Others whispered that I was as low-class as my mother, learning to ensnare men at such a young age. I didn’t care because back then, I hated Genevieve to my core. In the end, I successfully got together with Liam. I still remember Genevieve’s eyes, practically spitting fire, when I walked in front of her, holding Liam’s hand. “Willow, you’re like a persistent ghost,” Genevieve hissed darkly. The more miserable she was, the happier I became. I smiled brightly. “Thanks to you all, I’m doing perfectly fine in New York City.” Genevieve glanced at Landon beside me and scoffed, “Who’s this stray you picked up now?” “Ms. Carmichael, long time no see. I’m Landon, Willow’s husband,” Landon said calmly. Genevieve’s disdain immediately vanished when she heard Landon’s words. Landon’s family had been prominent in law for generations; his grandfather had even participated in drafting important legislation. “Ms. Carmichael, your words just now not only offended Willow but also insulted me. I kindly request an apology,” Landon said softly, yet his presence was overwhelmingly authoritative. Genevieve’s face flushed with anger, her neck stiff, refusing to apologize. I noticed more and more eyes gathering on us. Harrison said gravely, “Genevieve, apologize to them.” Genevieve was furious, but she still begrudgingly apologized. *Sigh.* Honestly, adult Genevieve is far more of a pushover than her younger self. Just as I was reflecting, I felt someone staring at me. I searched for the source of the gaze and found it was Liam. Of course. Given the relationship between the Carmichael and Knight families, Liam was definitely expected to be here. After years apart, Liam seemed much more composed, exuding that classic, overbearing CEO vibe. I plastered a fake smile on my face, purely to annoy him. To my surprise, his expression changed drastically. The clinking of glasses and chatter of the banquet made me feel suffocated. I slipped away to the Carmichael family’s back garden for some fresh air. Just as I was about to head back to find Landon, Liam suddenly appeared. “What was that smile for just now?” I was actually quite irritated by Liam. He was always so high-handed, with that classic spoiled rich kid attitude. Back then, to ensnare him, I’d put in so much effort. Even though my initial intentions weren’t pure, people develop feelings. Liam had helped me a few times, and for someone as isolated as I was then, it was a lifeline. So, later, I genuinely fell for him. But we only dated for three months. When we broke up, he trampled on my dignity, making me feel utterly worthless. I casually brushed him off: “Nothing, really. Just saying hello after all these years.” He was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, whether it was my imagination or not, his voice sounded a bit strained: “Are you really married?” “What else would it be? A fake marriage?” My tone was laced with sarcasm, because when we broke up, he’d said, “I was just pretending to mess around with you, and you actually believed it.” “The Davies family has been in politics for generations; they would never approve of someone like you, an illegitimate child. Willow, don’t delude yourself. Break up with him soon.” He said this in a tone that suggested he was looking out for me, but his words dripped with contempt for my background. A voice came from behind us: “Does Mr. Knight enjoy meddling in other people’s relationships so much? My relationship with Willow is none of your concern, Mr. Knight. Our families adore Willow. One cannot choose their birth, and that should never be a chain binding Willow.” Landon walked up to me and quietly asked, “Where did you go? I’ve been looking for you.” Little did I know that our intimate moment, whispering close together, made Liam’s eyes burn red with fury. He sneered a few times, “Willow, do you really think Landon is such a good guy?” I gave him a strange look. How did Liam become so good at making baseless accusations after a few years abroad? “If he isn’t, then you are?” Liam’s chest heaved with anger. I didn’t see the triumphant smirk Landon flashed at Liam. After the banquet, Liam sent me a SnapChat message. [Willow, what I said that day wasn’t meant to mock you. I just wanted to warn you.]
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