Chapter 4
After stepping out of the taxi, I walked into the airport.
I unlocked my phone and saw a message from Isabelle. She told me that Professor Harrington was willing to hold my previous position for me.
I let out a sigh of relief and immediately replied that I would report in tomorrow.
After everything, I had come full circle. It all felt like a futile dream.
No one would have expected things to turn out like this.
After all, from the moment Hugo fell for me at 15, he had never hidden his feelings.
Everyone around us could see how madly in love he was, often saying, “Hugo is rich, good–looking, and completely devoted to you. Why not just say yes?”
But back then, I was completely clueless. I was nothing but a bookworm.
I had set ambitious goals for myself, and I was determined not to let anything stand in my way.
No one could stop my progress, and certainly, no one could make me give up my future.
So, I treated Hugo as if he were invisible.
Whenever he tried to chat with me or shower me with attention, I let his words drift in one ear and out the other.
When he gave me roses and chocolates, I tossed him straight into the trash without a second thought.
Our classmates often said I was too cold–hearted toward him.
I remained focused, securing admission to a prestigious university and later earning the opportunity to study abroad.
Even after I left the country, Hugo never gave up–instead, he pursued me even more persistently.
Every week, he flew across the world just to visit me.
He even crashed one of our university events, standing on stage in front of everyone as he said, “I love you.”
This was the first time I felt something stir inside me.
In the midst of the crowd’s cheers and excitement, my gaze met his fervent eyes.
It was as if something inside me snapped–like I was finally glimpsing the true face of love.
From that moment on, I could no longer see him as just another passerby.
Little by little, I found myself falling for him.
Later, when he got into an accident while trying to protect me, I experienced true fear for the first time.
So, I accepted his love. I devoted myself to him wholeheartedly.
I even gave up my research career overseas just because he once complained, “Flying to see you takes half a day every time–it’s a huge waste of time.”
I resigned, ended the long–distance relationship, and returned home for his sake.
But Hugo had never told me that all these years, there had been someone like Sophia by his side.
People said she was just my substitute but if you truly loved someone, how could there ever be a need for a substitute?
1/2
Chapter 4
Maybe Hugo never really loved me–he only loved the way I ignored him.
Now that I had finally figured it out, there was no need to dwell on it anymore.
I turned off my phone, boarded my flight, and left for the place I had once abandoned.
+15 Bonus
Meanwhile, at the wedding, Hugo was slipping a ring onto Sophia’s finger, gazing at her with deep affection.
The moment was interrupted when the bodyguard barged in, momentarily silencing the crowd.
Hugo frowned in annoyance. “Why are you interrupting? Can’t you see the ceremony is in progress?”
Wiping the sweat off his forehead, the bodyguard handed over an envelope. “Mr. Laurent, it’s about Ms. Blake. She left a farewell letter at the entrance, and she’s likely already gone. She has booked an international flight–it’s about to take off. Shouldn’t you go after her?”
For years, Hugo had always been attentive when it came to Katherine.
Everyone around him had grown accustomed to reporting even the smallest things related to her.
But this time, Hugo didn’t move. His eyes lingered on the envelope for a moment before he furrowed his brows.
Then, he said coldly, “Get out. This is my wedding with Sophia–I don’t want to hear anything about Katherine.”
The bodyguard hesitated briefly before quickly apologizing and retreating.
Yet, Hugo’s gaze remained locked on that letter.
For a moment, it looked like he was about to chase after Katherine.
But in the end, he restrained herself.
Sophia suddenly spoke up, her voice tinged with mockery.
“Katherine is really something. To pull a stunt like this on our wedding day? I know she has never liked me, but using such a dramatic trick to disrupt our wedding–it’s a bit much, don’t you think?
“She even bribed a bodyguard just to deliver a letter. That’s some serious effort.”
She turned to Hugo and smiled. “Don’t you agree, Hugo?”
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