But I knew, this was the work of Declan’s competitors.
Leaving the police station, Jasper looked at me and said, “You can.”
“What?” I asked, confused.
He explained, “What you asked me earlier today, you can.”
I finally understood he meant letting me stay with him.
“My mom and I live at home, but she’s gone back to the old house. I usually stay at the auto repair shop, so you can stay freely.”
I was about to agree.
Declan interrupted, “Willa, your parents already know about the kidnapping. They should be off the plane by now, heading home. Are you sure you don’t want to go back?”
I couldn’t help feeling a bit bitter inside.
Declan, an outsider, knows more about my parents than I do.
D
4:23 PM
<
Since I can remember, they’ve always been busy. Too busy to remember my birthday, too busy to attend parent–teacher meetings.
I even deliberately got bad grades or hurt myself just to see them. Because only then would they briefly appear, granting me a small bit of
attention.
Eventually, I stopped hoping, started celebrating my own birthdays, and hired a flower–selling lady to attend parent–teacher meetings for me, because she was kind and pretty.
I grew up lonely until I met Declan.
At the school basketball court, he casually blocked a ball that was about to hit me.
The boy in the sunlight, strikingly handsome, with a few beads of sweat glittering as they slid down his forehead.
He smirked slightly, with a hint of arrogance, and said, “Be careful, classmate.”
His cool voice struck me, and I was smitten at first sight.
I was timid back then, muttering a “thank you” before running off.
After that, I started paying attention to him, knowingly or unknowingly. I found out he had a childhood sweetheart.
But their relationship seemed to stop at puppy love.
My teenage crush was quiet, but it grew silently in my heart.
I knew I wouldn’t have much say in my future marriage.
So when I found out the arranged marriage was with Declan, I was thrilled for a long time.
My parents liked Declan, often keeping in touch with him instead of me.
In my past life, when I wanted a divorce from Declan, they refused outright.
“Declan is capable and can tolerate your bad habits. Why can’t you cherish him instead of worrying us?”
I knew that after our marriage, the Lin family and the Shen family’s interests were tied together, making divorce difficult.
So I endured year after year, until I developed depression and started self–harming, forcing Declan to agree to a divorce.
Reborn, I want to live for myself this time.
That’s why I don’t want to go home.
But suddenly, ! remembered there’s one thing I need to take care of, so I have to go back home.
Before leaving, I took Jasper’s phone from his pocket, entered my number, and called it.
Only after hearing it ring did I return the phone to him.
“Save my number. I’ll find you in a few days.”
Then I caught a cab and left without giving Declan a single glance.
Back home, I found my parents waiting in the living room.
Before I could speak, they started scolding me.
“Declan told us about today. Can you stop being so willful?”
“Those were kidnappers. You could have been killed! And you had Declan save someone else first?”
Mom sighed heavily.
“How can we trust you with the company?”
4:23 PM
<
They didn’t trust me, so they handed the company to Declan in my past life.
Then they pursued their dreams, free of worries.
Dad, who was sitting on the couch, suddenly spoke, “Let’s get the wedding done soon.”
“I don’t agree.”
I said firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
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Before I could say a word, I was hit with a barrage of criticisms.
“Declan told us about what happened today. Can you stop being so reckless?”
“Those were kidnappers! You could have been killed. How could you let Declan save someone else first?”
Mom sighed deeply.
“How can we trust you with the company if you act like this?”
They didn’t trust me, so in a past life, they gave the company to Declan. This allowed them to chase their youthful dreams without worry.
Dad, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa, suddenly spoke, “Let’s arrange the marriage soon.”
“I disagree.”
I replied firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
“I came back to tell you that I’m going to Declan’s family tomorrow to call off this
engagement.
“Whether you agree or not, this time I’m making my own decision.
“And don’t try to use the company as leverage. Give it to whoever you want. I don’t care. I never wanted it anyway.”
Having lived another life, I already know the trends for the next seven years. I won’t end up destitute.
