Parting Ways After Love Fades
Chapter 1
Warren Gardner grew up with Shailey Ralston under the same roof. She was once his brother’s flancée and his beloved sister–in–law–to–be.
After his brother’s tragic
passing, she gradually became someone he cherished dearly in his heart. He thought it was only a matter of time before she would marry him–until that day.
Shailey held another man’s hand and told him, I’m getting married. From now on, I’ll only be your sister–in–law!”
“Mr. Keaton, I’ve decided. I’m going to Euriva.”
On the other end of the phone, David Keaton beamed. “You should have made this decision a long time ago! With your talent, you’d have become an internationally renowned
photographer by now.”
Warren chuckled politely. “Thank you for your praise, Mr. Keaton.”
“So, when are you coming?”
Warren thought for a moment before replying, “Probably in half a month. I need to wrap things up over here.”
“That works too. After your brother’s death, your sister–in–law has been looking after you. She’s been really good to you; you should take your time to say a proper goodbye.”
After hanging up, Warren looked ahead at the woman trying on a wedding dress. A man stood beside her, smiling warmly.
He let out a wry laugh.
Yes, Shailey had been exceptionally good to him. She was attentive in every possible way.
Shailey was an orphan. Owing to the childhood engagement, the Gardner family had taken her in after her family’s misfortune.
Unfortunately, his brother passed away at a young age, and the engagement could no longer
be fulfilled.
Over the years, they had grown up together, spending most of their time in each other’s
company.
He used to be teased by his family. They would say things like, “How can a man be so attached to his sister–in–law? If outsiders see this, they’ll misunderstand.”
Shailey would ask, “Misunderstand what?”
“Misunderstand that you two are the actual couple!”
Shalley would smile gently, just like now, and softly replied, “Then let them misunderstand that.”
At that time, Warren was startled and flustered. But when he met her tender, affectionate eyes, his cheeks flushed.
People lived for moments.
For Warren, that moment was the sweetest of his life.
He kept waiting for Shailey to pierce the layer of pretense between them. By then, he would propose and host the grandest wedding to marry her.
But he waited and waited until her gaze shifted to another man.
Jacob Stratton was her secretary.
Shailey had brought several résumés up to Warren once and said, “Warren, help me choose
one.”
He was a bit hesitant. “I’m not good at this. You should let HR handle it.”
But Shailey insisted, “My secretary will likely interact with you often in the future. You should choose someone you like so you’ll feel comfortable dealing with them.”
As such, he personally selected Jacob to be her secretary.
Little did he know, he wasn’t just appointing a secretary–he was unwittingly selecting his own love rival.
“Warren!”
Not far away, Jacob called out to him with excitement. “Come help me. Does this suit match Shailey’s wedding dress? She can’t decide; she thinks anything I wear looks fine.”
Warren sighed. “It’s your suit. If you think it’s fine, it’ll be fine.”
Jacob, ever the good–natured one, said, “Warren, you know I don’t come from an elite background. I fear that my sense of style isn’t sophisticated enough. I don’t want to end up embarrassing your sister–in–law. But you’re different–you’re a top–notch photographer with an impeccable sense of aesthetics!”
“I only know photography and a bit of composition. I’m not good at picking outfits.”
Jacob’s enthusiasm waned slightly, and his tone took on a hint of disappointment. “Warren, are you still hesitant to accept me?”
Warren’s lips parted to argue, but nothing rolled off his tongue.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t accept him.
He just couldn’t wrap his head around it. Why had Shailey, with whom he was once
inseparable, suddenly fallen for someone else?
“shay.” Jacob turned to her. “Can you talk to Warren? I feel like he’s still upset with me about what happened last time.”
She replied, “I’m sure that’s not the case.”
“It’s my
fault for falsely accusing him back then. Why don’t we postpone the wedding for now? We’ll hold it off until he forgives me, then reschedule it.”
Shailey frowned slightly. “We can’t delay the wedding just because he’s unhappy.”
“But he’s your brother–in–law and your closest family. I want his blessing.”
After a moment’s thought, she turned and strode toward Warren.
H
Her tone was somewhat distant as she began, “Are you still upset about what happened last. time?”
Warren looked away. “I’m not.”
“I don’t think you can blame Jacob for misunderstanding when you hugged me out of nowhere. No brother–in–law does that! Warren, you’re a grown–up now. You need to respect boundaries.”
Warren’s eyes reddened as he took in her slightly reproachful expression.
When Shailey still loved him, she clung to him all the time.
Even in public, she would grumble and pull him close if he tried to put some distance between
them.
She followed him on his trips to rural areas for his photography projects.
She accompanied him abroad to Azoria to capture wildlife migrations.
She had told him she’d always stand by his side. No matter where he went, all he had to do was turn around. She promised she’d always be there
The day he won an international photography award, his natural reaction was to give her a hug. He wanted to share the joy with her. But Jacob, who had walked in without knocking,
witnessed their moment.
From that moment onward, Shailey became distant, her warmth replaced by a chilling coldness, and she began to avoid him whenever she could.
Warren took a deep breath and articulated slowly, “I’m sorry, I overstepped my boundaries last time and caused Mr. Stratton to misunderstand. I will be more cautious and make sure it
doesn’t happen again.”
Shailey offered a slight nod. “As long as you know where you went wrong.”
He hummed quietly in response. “You two carry on. I’m not feeling well; I’ll head off for now.”
As he left the bridal shop, tears betrayed him and streamed down his face.
He wiped them away hastily with the back of his hand. Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his phone and booked a flight.
In two weeks, he would board that plane, leaving this place behind forever–leaving Shailey behind forever.
