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In the end, Quentin was dragged out of the hotel by security.
All the Pentagon bigwigs were there that day, making Quentin infamous overnight. By seducing the general’s son’s fiancée at the wedding reception, he had offended both the general’s and the senator’s families. His path to promotion was forever blocked.
All the Pentagon bigwigs were there that day, making Quentin infamous overnight. By seducing the general’s son’s fiancée at the wedding reception, he had offended both the general’s and the senator’s families. His path to promotion was forever blocked.
Sharon cried herself into fainting spells at home, cursing Lauren as a jinx. But after such a scandal, no other girl would be willing to marry Quentin, so they had no choice but to accept the outcome. At least Lauren was a member of the Broadway dance troupe with lifetime tenure.
Sharon cried herself into fainting spells at home, cursing Lauren as a jinx. But after such a scandal, no other girl would be willing to marry Quentin, so they had no choice but to accept the outcome. At least Lauren was a member of the Broadway dance troupe with lifetime tenure.
Sharon cried herself into fainting spells at home, cursing Lauren as a jinx. But after such a scandal, no other girl would be willing
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to marry Quentin, so they had no choice but to accept the outcome. At least Lauren was a member of the Broadway dance troupe with lifetime tenure.
However, the day after being forced to marry Lauren, Quentin
applied for a transfer to work at the Alaska base. I never saw him again after that, though I frequently received his letters and gifts.
However, the day after being forced to marry Lauren, Quentin applied for a transfer to work at the Alaska base. I never saw him again after that, though I frequently received his letters and gifts.
He said if Nathaniel ever treated me poorly, he would be ready to marry me at any time. Quentin also mentioned that he had suffered greatly in Alaska, and if I wished, he would willingly remain stationed in that harsh, frozen land forever.
He said if Nathaniel ever treated me poorly, he would be ready to marry me at any time. Quentin also mentioned that he had suffered greatly in Alaska, and if I wished, he would willingly remain stationed in that harsh, frozen land forever.
The gifts he sent me were all local specialties: canned salmon, king crab legs, and arctic blueberries.
I initially didn’t want to acknowledge him–I wanted to throw away his letters and return the gifts to Sharon. But Nathaniel wouldn’t let me.
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“Why should we make things easy for him? Let him keep sending you gifts! I’ll spoil you twice as much! Lily, I’m not afraid of his challenge!”
Ever since Nathaniel learned about my rebirth, he had loved me even more intensely. I was somewhat worried that he might think I was just looking for someone to depend on. Though that was indeed partly true, I genuinely loved Nathaniel too.
Ever since Nathaniel learned about my rebirth, he had loved me even more intensely. I was somewhat worried that he might think I was just looking for someone to depend on. Though that was indeed partly true, I genuinely loved Nathaniel too.
Ever since Nathaniel learned about my rebirth, he had loved me even more intensely. I was somewhat worried that he might think I was just looking for someone to depend on. Though that was indeed partly true, I genuinely loved Nathaniel too.
I used to think his sweet words were just empty flattery, but love should be expressed. So I started kissing Nathaniel’s cheek every morning, saying, “Darling, I love you so much.”
I used to think his sweet words were just empty flattery, but love should be expressed. So I started kissing Nathaniel’s cheek every morning, saying, “Darling, I love you so much.”
Then we’d have no peace for the entire morning. Out of necessity, I changed my declaration of love to just “good
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morning.”
Then we’d have no peace for the entire morning. Out of necessity, I changed my declaration of love to just “good morning.”
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Later, Quentin’s letters stopped coming. This time, he had truly made the ultimate sacrifice. The day his body was returned to Arlington National Cemetery, Lauren cried herself into near collapse. Her stepmother was still calculating how to divide the death benefits.
Later, Quentin’s letters stopped coming. This time, he had truly made the ultimate sacrifice. The day his body was returned to Arlington National Cemetery, Lauren cried herself into near collapse. Her stepmother was still calculating how to divide the death benefits.
Sharon’s encounter with Lauren’s family was the punishment she deserved. Lauren’s mind was entirely focused on the dance troupe–she never did housework and often stayed out all night. Sharon was getting on in years, and once when she fell at home, there wasn’t even anyone around to help her. By the time she was found, she was already paralyzed on one side.
Sharon’s encounter with Lauren’s family was the punishment she deserved. Lauren’s mind was entirely focused on the dance troupe—she never did housework and often stayed out all night. Sharon was getting on in years, and once when she fell at home, there wasn’t even anyone around to help her. By the time she
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was found, she was already paralyzed on one side.
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Sharon’s encounter with Lauren’s family was the punishment she deserved. Lauren’s mind was entirely focused on the dance troupe–she never did housework and often stayed out all night. Sharon was getting on in years, and once when she fell at home, there wasn’t even anyone around to help her. By the time she was found, she was already paralyzed on one side.
Lauren had to quit her job to care for Sharon, losing her career. She did all this for Quentin’s sake. She always believed Quentin would eventually come around, but Quentin was dead.
Lauren had to quit her job to care for Sharon, losing her career. She did all this for Quentin’s sake. She always believed Quentin would eventually come around, but Quentin was dead.
Lauren’s stepmother had long been urging Lauren to divorce quickly and marry a Wall Street banker in his fifties. When I told Nathaniel about this before bed, he quietly informed me that he knew the banker–the man was already married. Lauren’s parents wanted her to become the banker’s mistress.
Lauren’s stepmother had long been urging Lauren to divorce quickly and marry a Wall Street banker in his fifties. When I told Nathaniel about this before bed, he quietly informed me that he knew the banker–the man was already married. Lauren’s parents wanted her to become the banker’s mistress.
Lauren’s stepmother had long been urging Lauren to divorce
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quickly and marry a Wall Street banker in his fifties. When I told Nathaniel about this before bed, he quietly informed me that he knew the banker–the man was already married. Lauren’s parents wanted her to become the banker’s mistress.
I couldn’t help but marvel at how despicable Lauren’s parents were. But Lauren didn’t care at all, preparing joyfully to meet the banker.
I couldn’t help but marvel at how despicable Lauren’s parents were. But Lauren didn’t care at all, preparing joyfully to meet the banker.
Before leaving, she caused a huge scene at Quentin’s house, which triggered Sharon’s fatal heart attack on the spot.
Before leaving, she caused a huge scene at Quentin’s house, which triggered Sharon’s fatal heart attack on the spot.
Five years later, when Nathaniel took me to a charity gala, I encountered Lauren again. She was pregnant, gaunt and haggard, yet still as spiteful and vain as ever. I exchanged a few perfunctory words with her before quickly escaping.
Five years later, when Nathaniel took me to a charity gala, I encountered Lauren again. She was pregnant, gaunt and haggard, yet still as spiteful and vain as ever. I exchanged a few perfunctory words with her before quickly escaping.
After Nathaniel retired from the military and went into
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business, I learned to accompany him to social functions. I had become quite adept at handling such occasions.
After Nathaniel retired from the military and went into business, I learned to accompany him to social functions. I had become quite adept at handling such occasions.
That night at home, Nathaniel insisted on applying scar cream to my wrists. The scars there had indeed faded considerably.
That night at home, Nathaniel insisted on applying scar cream to my wrists. The scars there had indeed faded considerably.
Over these years, Nathaniel had become increasingly mature, no longer the idle playboy he once was. He treasured me like a precious gem and was devoted and filial to Tom.
Over these years, Nathaniel had become increasingly mature, no longer the idle playboy he once was. He treasured me like a precious gem and was devoted and filial to Tom.
Life and death are natural parts of existence–Tom might have a relapse in five or ten years and eventually leave me. But I know there will always be someone holding my hand tightly, that I won’t be walking this path alone. That’s enough.
Life and death are natural parts of existence–Tom might have a relapse in five or ten years and eventually leave me. But I know there will always be someone holding my hand tightly, that I won’t be walking this path alone. That’s enough.
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Life and death are natural parts of existence–Tom might have a relapse in five or ten years and eventually leave me. But I know there will always be someone holding my hand tightly, that I won’t be walking this path alone. That’s enough.
Life and death are natural parts of existence–Tom might have a relapse in five or ten years and eventually leave me. But I know there will always be someone holding my hand tightly, that I won’t be walking this path alone. That’s enough.
