In the eighth year of our marriage, Blake finally bought me roses from the flower shop again after such a long time. He hugged me with a smile. “Tori, I got these flowers especially for you.” I pretended not to know that those roses were from a buy-one-get-one-free promotion at the florist, and that the bouquet he actually paid for had been sent to his villa in the suburbs. Where a girl as vibrant as roses herself lived. I carefully arranged the roses in a vase, and the next day placed the signed divorce papers right beside them. From that moment on, I stopped longing for someone else’s roses, because my own flowers would bloom by themselves. The room was a complete mess, with cake thrown everywhere. I sat there in embarrassment. Dawn had already broken. Last night was my birthday. Blake had called me saying he ordered a cake for me and promised he’d definitely come home later. I held that cake, waiting from ten at night until midnight, then until two in the morning, and finally until daybreak. I never saw Blake, but I did receive a message. The girl held flowers, wore a golden crown on her head, and was surrounded by people as she blew out candles. And among them, Blake had his arm around the girl’s waist. The two of them looked so intimate. So intimate that you’d think they were a couple. Then what about me? What did that make me? That girl’s name was Rosie. She was a college student—young, energetic, beautiful, and full of youth all wrapped into one. No wonder Blake liked her so much. Rosie sent me another message. [Did you see? Blake still likes me best. He even said that villa on South Street is really nice and wants to buy it for me.] [You’ve lost your youth. You’re old and ugly, and you have no sense of romance. What do you have to compete with me? You should just let go now!] Her tone carried that cocky confidence of youth. Why do people have such boldness? It’s because those who are favored always think they have someone backing them up. I just never expected that despite believing Blake and I loved each other deeply, we couldn’t withstand the test of time. I learned about this girl a year ago. That was the first time she contacted me. The first message Rosie sent me read: [Hello Mrs. Porter, my name is Rosie. I’m Blake’s new girlfriend. I know you must be shocked, but this is the truth. I’m beautiful and young, and I provide emotional value to Blake. If you truly love him, you should learn to let go and let him be with me.] I thought it was just a young girl with a crush and didn’t take it seriously. After all, Blake and I had been together since college. Back then he was just a poor guy, a scholarship student who couldn’t even afford tuition. The first time I learned about his situation, I had my father sponsor Blake. After Blake found out I had helped him, he started trying to repay me, always wanting to do things for me. Later, we naturally got together. After we got together, he cherished me so much that even if I wanted the moon from the sky, he’d be willing to pluck it down for me. I remember one time when I had a fever at night during winter, and I suddenly wanted cherries. He braved the freezing wind and snow, running to three fruit stores before finding one that was still open. When he came back holding those cherries like flowers, I couldn’t help but cry. I was certain he was the only man I could marry in this lifetime. Perhaps I was too easily moved back then, or maybe the cold air radiating from his body made his heart seem especially warm, beating especially intensely. After that, he pampered me even more like a little princess. He never let me step foot in the kitchen or do any dirty or tiring work. I’m rather particular about cleanliness and don’t like using the washing machine for my clothes. Blake, worried I wouldn’t be satisfied, hand-washed all my clothes himself until I was pleased. Blake always handled matters concerning me personally and wouldn’t let the housekeepers touch anything. I knew he treated me well, so I also gave him my all. After graduation, my father gave him a high-level position at the company, and after we got married, he even handed over the company’s internal and external affairs to Blake to manage. In these years of our marriage, he held me in the palm of his hand like a little princess. So how could I believe all of this was fake?
I wasn’t surprised when Rosie first messaged me, because many socialites had also messaged me asking me to voluntarily give up Blake. He was handsome and talented. Even without my father’s support, Blake’s abilities would have allowed him to make a name for himself in New York. A man like that, married young—how many socialites in the circle felt it was such a shame. So many people liked Blake, but I never took any of them seriously, because his eyes were full of only me. I’ve been frail since childhood, always looking sickly. That time I went to the hospital with a fever, the doctor said my constitution was too weak, and if I got married, I couldn’t have children for at least five years. I looked at Blake fearfully. Back then so many girls were chasing him, and now that he had the ability, there was no need for him to tie himself to me. I gave him an out. “You can choose divorce. I won’t blame you.” “What nonsense are you talking about? It’s okay, I’ll help you slowly nurse your health back. Not having children is fine too. At worst we can adopt a child.” He said it so sincerely, and he did everything he promised. From the beginning of our marriage, he prepared some kind of surprise for me every month, and all these years he never seemed to tire of it. So with him treating me so well, how could I not think those women were just jealous and threatening me? Until Rosie appeared. She showed me the necklaces Blake gave her, evening gowns, and later luxury goods and a car. Blake was really thoughtful—everything he could give, he gave to Rosie. We had agreed after marriage that no matter how late it was, we’d always come home for dinner. But starting last year, Blake rarely ate at home, and eventually he’d come home very late. Yesterday was my birthday, and he didn’t even come home. Only because yesterday also happened to be Rosie’s birthday. When I saw her message, I finally couldn’t control my temper and smashed the cake he bought me. Blake—he said he’d love me forever. If Rosie hadn’t sent me an audio recording, I might still be unwilling to believe that Blake was no longer the person he used to be. “Blake, today is your wife’s birthday. Aren’t you going home to be with her? Won’t she be angry?” Blake laughed lightly, his tone full of disdain. “Tori? I do love her, but she’s just so boring. She seems well-mannered and polite, but she’s actually old-fashioned and rigid, lacking so much interest. Not like you, Rosie—lively and adorable.” That was Blake’s voice. I couldn’t be mistaken. Rosie acted coy in the man’s arms, saying “how awful,” but her face showed no sign of actually finding it awful. This was all sent to me by Rosie. I knew she wanted to upset me, but Blake was the one who gave her the ammunition to hurt me. Looking at the mess in the room, for a moment I felt relieved. Blake—did I really have to have him? The love from before was real, and the betrayal now was equally real. I dialed a number. “Liam, are you busy?” Liam was pleasantly surprised to receive my call. “Tori, it’s been so long since you contacted me. I thought you’d forgotten all about me.” I smiled apologetically. Blake had no sense of security. Although he never said it, I still cut off contact with all my male friends. Looking back now, I was really foolish.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen? You haven’t contacted any of us since you got married.” I lowered my head somewhat ashamed. “Liam, I wanted to ask if your project training still has openings. I can pay double the price to join.” “Talking about money hurts our friendship. As long as you’re willing to come back, our doors are always open. You’re welcome to return anytime.” Before graduation, Liam was researching a new energy project. He invited me to participate, and I agreed. But after graduation I had to prepare for my wedding with Blake, so I had no choice but to withdraw from the project research. Later, Blake told me he didn’t like me being too close with Liam—it made him feel insecure. When Liam asked me to come back, I politely declined. Contacting Liam again, I felt really embarrassed. My face turned completely red. But I had to fight for myself somehow. Blake couldn’t bear to let me do anything, so at home I was pampered into a spoiled little princess. Every day all I did was shop and play. Blake never said a word against it. As a result, now I couldn’t do anything. With just a bit of my previous knowledge, I thought the only chance I had to learn was to rebuild my foundation with Liam. Liam agreed, but this project required going abroad for training for a period of time. Perfect. During this cooling-off period, going abroad would be good. I wouldn’t have to face Blake. After hanging up the phone, I returned to the bedroom. I’d been tossing and turning all night and was exhausted. I needed to get some good sleep before planning my next steps. I had barely fallen asleep when I felt warmth on my cheek. Blake had come home and kissed my cheek lightly. Unlike before, now I only found his kiss disgusting. “Tori, you’re awake. I brought you a birthday cake.” He was as considerate and thoughtful as always. Completely different from last night’s disdainful tone. I looked at the birthday cake through sleepy eyes and laughed coldly. Did I still need it? He looked at me apologetically. “I’m sorry, Tori. The company had something urgent come up last night. By the time I finished it was already dawn. I was afraid of disturbing your sleep if I came home, so I didn’t. But I’m making it up to you today, aren’t I?” Making it up to me? This late? Did I still need it? “I don’t want to eat it. It looks disgusting. Just throw it away.” My expression was weary. I planned to go back to sleep. But Blake panicked. “Honey, I’m sorry. Last night was an accident. I promise it won’t happen again. From now on, no matter how late I work, I’ll come home, okay?” I imperceptibly dodged away from him. I said softly, “I’m a bit tired and want to sleep. You go do what you need to do.” I didn’t need his fake concern. It was all an act. Blake said quietly, “Then rest well. I won’t go out today. I’ll stay home and keep you company.” I ignored him. Only after the door closed did I open my eyes. A friend sent me a photo. [Tori, that bastard Blake even buys flowers on a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Who is he sending that other bouquet to?] I knew who it was for. For that girl who was taunting me through messages. I slept until noon. When I came out, I saw Blake arranging flowers. “Tori, you’re awake.” I looked at that bouquet, remembering the photo my friend sent me—clearly one large and one small, buy one get one free. So I was the freebie. This was the eighth year of our marriage, and Blake had finally bought me a bouquet of roses after such a long time—and it was the free one.
He hugged me with a smile. “Tori, I got these especially for you!” But looking at the bright red roses, I only found them glaring. The image of those two bouquets of roses, one large and one small, was still vivid in my mind. Did Blake even have a heart? He once told me: “Honey, no matter what happens in the future, I will only love you. So don’t listen to what others say. You just need to believe in me.” I believed him. That’s why I didn’t care when so many people provoked me. But Blake, you asked me to believe what you said. When you said I was boring, did you ever think I might hear it? I pretended not to know that those roses were from a buy-one-get-one-free promotion, and that the bouquet he actually bought had already been sent to the villa in the suburbs. Rosie—that girl as passionate as roses. Perhaps the two of them were more compatible. Perhaps I really should exit Blake’s world. I took the flowers and placed them in a vase. “If you like them, I’ll buy them for you every day from now on.” I looked at his affectionate eyes. What great acting. But had he fooled himself? Buy me flowers every day—wouldn’t that just be taking advantage of the daily buy-one-get-one-free promotion? “No need. I don’t like roses at all, especially red roses. The red is too glaring.” Only he and Rosie liked roses. Blake didn’t catch my underlying meaning. He thought I was simply still angry. He hugged me from behind. “Honey, I know you’re still mad about last night, but don’t be angry anymore, okay? How about this—I’ll take you to the jewelry store. You really liked that necklace, didn’t you? Let’s go buy it, okay?” The necklace? I thought of the necklace worth five hundred thousand dollars that I mentioned to him half a month ago. It wasn’t necessary to buy, but Blake was paying, so why not take it? I went with him to the luxury store. The sales associate was introducing their accessories. Actually, I wasn’t very interested, especially being out with Blake made me even less enthusiastic. But my gaze fell on a ring gathering dust in the corner. The diamond wasn’t large, and it was the simplest style. Placed there, you could barely notice its existence. But I remembered—this was the same style as the first diamond ring Blake gave me. Back then he didn’t have money. He spent all his first year’s internship salary on that ring and knelt down to propose to me. He said, “Tori, I’ll treat you well for the rest of my life. Although I can’t afford to buy you the best right now, one day I’ll make you the most dazzling princess!” I believed him. “Miss, this style is an eight-year-old design. It doesn’t suit your temperament at all. How about you look at this ‘Bathing in Love’ style instead?” The sales associate brought out a ring with a large, brilliant diamond, and the heart shape in the center was especially eye-catching. “I think this one looks nice. Wrap it up for me.” A girl’s voice came from behind. The moment I met her eyes, I instinctively looked at Blake’s expression. Because this girl was none other than Rosie. I had to pretend I didn’t know anything and see how he’d perform. Rosie walked over, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation, but surprisingly she didn’t acknowledge Blake. “Wrap this ring up for me. I like it.” The sales associate looked troubled. “This lady saw the style first. We can only let you try it on if she confirms she’s not buying it. I’m sorry, Miss Zhou. This is our store’s limited edition. There’s only one!” Hearing it was limited edition, Rosie became even more persistent. And Blake beside me was obviously getting flustered.
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “358675”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #擦边Steamy
Leave a Reply