Chapter 12
Lucian ended the call and casually turned off his cell phone.
His lips gently pressed against Isabella’s slightly swollen ones. “Hey, sweetheart, time to wake up.“}]
I often wondered what it would be like to run into Dorian again.”
Coming from a wealthy family, he always carried himself with a certain pride.”
Our breakup had been amicable, so if we ever did cross paths, I figured he’d either ignore me or we’d exchange polite nods and a simple, “Hi, how are you?“}
After all, my family and relatives were all back in Dunway, and Dorian and I shared some mutual friends. It seemed impossible that we’d never cross paths again.
But I never imagined I’d see him, the once untouchable golden boy, looking so utterly lost and disheveled.>>
That day, I was in a particularly good mood, having had a restful sleep. I was wearing a new blush–pink cashmere dress and had done my makeup beautifully. I felt like a ripe, juicy peach, full of sweetness.”
I was walking arm–in–arm with Lucian, laughing as we exited the revolving doors, when I saw Dorian stepping out of a car.”
I froze for a moment, my steps halting. Lucian’s warm fingers gently clasped mine.”
Dorian’s shirt was a bit wrinkled, and he hadn’t bothered with a tie. His face showed undeniable fatigue, his brows furrowed, eyes bloodshot.
People bustled around us, and a nearby fountain played cheerful tunes. The scene felt like a slow–motion moment in a movie. Except I wasn’t a spectator, I was one of the unsuspecting protagonists.
Perhaps it was Dorian’s unexpected appearance that caught me off guard. Lucian instinctively moved to shield me.
But Dorian’s expression was calm. He called my name with the same tenderness he had when we were deeply in love. “Bella.”
I stood still. The lively music continued to play in the background, yet a strange sadness crept into my heart.”
Maybe it was for Isabella, who had heard those harsh words that night. Or for Isabella, who was abruptly told about the breakup. Or perhaps for Isabella, who naively loved for seven years but moved on in just seven days.
“Bella, I came to take you back to Dunway.“}
Dorian never once looked at Lucian. His gaze rested on me, softer than I could recall in a long time.}
He stopped about three feet in front of me. “Bella, let’s go back and get married. We can be happy, can’t we?“}
He sounded so sincere that I almost believed it was just my imagination that he had promised someone else a future not long ago. But it’s too late, Dorian. A broken heart can’t be mended.}
And the new heart that grew in the swamp of despair now beats for someone else.}
I shook my head softly. “Dorian, you should leave.”}
“Bella, I never loved Amelia. We broke up in less than three days.“}
“I had your wedding dress repaired by a master tailor.”
“And our wedding bands, I’ve kept them safe.“}
“Bella, I even had a diamond ring custom–made. I’m serious.”
Dorian’s eyes reddened further, his voice trembling slightly. He presented the exquisite ring box to me like a treasure, eyes filled with hope and caution.}
Looking at him, I couldn’t deny the pang of pain in my heart. But that was all it was–a mere pang.”
Chaplet 13
