True Love was an old jewelry store.
Rose remembered a visit downtown soon after she lived with the Roach family as a child, where she leaned over the window of True Love’s flagship store to look at a set of diamond wedding accessories.
Judson, who was a few years older than her, came and took her by the hand and dragged her away.
“What’s so attractive?” He was impatient.
“Judson, buy them for someday!” At that time, she was naïve and bold,
“OK.” He didn’t look back, but she could see the tips of his slightly red ears.
Later, every time Rose passed True Love’s flagship store, she would involuntarily smile with happiness.
Even as he grew colder and more disgusted with her, she would always remember the “OK” he had said that day and the tips of his reddish ears.
It never occurred to her that the woman who walked into the store with him one day wouldn’t be her.
The phone’s ringtone sounded suddenly.
Rose said sorry at once and took away the phone.
“It’s been half an hour already.” There was a chilling coldness in his voice.
Rose said, “I seè.”
“What are you doing?” Judson almost gritted his teeth.
She went to a quiet place to make sure no one else could hear her on the phone.
“I’m reliving your touching romance.
He was silent for a second. “Do you know what you’re talking about, Rose?”
Rose was certain that she provoked Judson.
A day earlier, she might have been afraid and frightened, but now, her heart was deserted.
Her heart was like a wasteland after a fall of snow, where the cold stirred. Yet the sun never failed to shine.
“If there’s nothing else. I’m hanging up. By the way, congratulations, Mr. Roger, on no longer having to suffer and finding your true love today.”
She hung up and blocked Judson’s number directly.
She pondered for a while and figured that it was not enough. She turned off her phone.
***
By the time she walked out of Flourish Media’s building, the sky was faintly bright.
“Have a good rest after you go back, but don’t turn off your phone. I want to reach you at any time.”
After a night of hard work together, everyone more or less recognized Rose’s competency.
Lakisha was serious about training rookies and reminded Rose especially, “I don’t think Lillian’s relationship will have a big twist. these upcoming days, yet you still have to be cautious of accidents…”
There wouldn’t be any accident.
Rose thought, “With the Roach family’s approval, Judson and Lillian can get married at once.
“I have to be grateful for everything I learned last night.
“It completely cuts off the remaining unwillingness and concern deep down inside me.”
A silver–gray Maserati parked on the side of the road drove silently toward her.
“Where are you staying now?” The window was lowered, and Darrin’s handsome face was revealed.
“The hotel … for now.” Rose replied.
“Get in, and I’ll give you a lift.” Darrin’s voice was gentle, but there was a touch of firmness.
Rose hesitated for a moment, and at the same time, crowds of people who had been working late came out of the building.
She was worried about being seen by others, so she got in hastily.
“Being in this line of work is hard. We often have to work day and night.” He handed a can of drink to Rose.
She took it and was surprised to find it was warm milk.
“It’s nothing. I’ve experienced it before,” Rose smiled.
“You’re right. You are the most gifted journalist I have ever met,” Darrin smiled. “In Aurrerland seven years ago, we…”
“Darrin!” Rose interrupted him suddenly.
He seemed dejected for a moment.
“He never knew, did he?” Darrin gradually clenched the steering wheel with his fingers. “The sacrifice you made…”
“It’s all over now,” she whispered. “Thank you for keeping my secret, Darrin.”
She had told herself long ago that love was not kindness, nor charity, nor coercion.
Pure emotion always ended well without the help of external catalysts.
She didn’t blame anyone for getting to where she was with Judson.
There was silence in the car.
She turned on her phone and saw dozens of missed calls.
The calls were all blocked.
There was a text as well. Though the sender was without a remark, Rose was familiar with the number.
“You better never answer the phone again, Rose.”
It was from Judson.
She thought about it and then blocked his messages, too.
Instead of asking where she was staying, Darrin sent her straight to a five–star hotel.
She took a look at the hotel and smiled, “Darrin, this is too high class. Let’s go to another one.”
She couldn’t afford a hotel like this right now.
“You’ll be reimbursed. Get down.” His gentle voice was still mixed with dominance.
He helped her check–in, gave her the room card, and waved. “You may go up. Get some rest. You have two days off.”
He turned around and pulled a long face.
Rose had no luggage.
She left the Roach’s place empty–handed. He knew her, and he knew that she wouldn’t take a penny.
He thought, “Good for you, Judson, for being a complete heartless jerk!”
***
Rose used the key card to find the room, only to realize that Darrin got her a luxurious suite with a river view.
Currently, the golden light was shining on the river, and the light flowed down the window lattice to her feet.
She pressed the button, and the curtains closed automatically. When the last ray of sunshine disappeared from her eyes, she finally removed all her disguises. Sadness filled her eyes.
The day before yesterday, while Rose was visiting Jenifer in the hospital, Lillian came to Imperial Garden, broke into Rose’s room
without her permission, and took the most valuable butterfly brooch from Rose’s jewelry box.
Perhaps Lillian was too bold, anyway, she left all kinds of traces, and Rose knew it at once after she came back.
She heard that Lillian had been to the Roawards Group to find Judson, so she hurried over.
She and Lillian quarreled outside Judson’s office. In a fit of pique, she slapped Lillian, and the latter fell to the ground.
At the same time, Judson walked out.
Lillian cried and pulled him, saying, “Judson, Rose claimed that I stole her jewelry, but I didn’t. She didn’t believe me… You saw that she slapped me…”
Rose bit her lip. “Judson, it’s the butterfly brooch…”
“I don’t give a damn about any brooch.” Judson looked at Rose coldly. “Even if someone does steal from you, still, it’s not a reason to get physical. Rose, you are so spoiled.”
Recalling, Rose realized that she was indeed spoiled.
The Roach family’s indulgence gave her infinite confidence, and the importance of that brooch also made her very impulsive.
She was impulsive and retorted, “I slapped her already. What do you want?”
If Lillian didn’t give her the brooch back, she would hit Lillian every time they met!
Judson looked at Rose for a moment with a chill in his eyes. “I’ll give you a chance to apologize to her. Otherwise, forget about being the daughter–in–law of the Roach family
Rose was instantly desperate. She heard herself asking Judson. “What if I say no?”
“You can try to break off the marriage.” There was no warmth in his eyes.
“Apologize or break up? It’s up to you.“
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