Chapter 1
The day Felix got engaged, he went out of his way to send some troublemakers after me. By the time I was done at the police station and got home, night had fallen.
As I arrived, I overheard someone asking Felix where I'd been. Felix laughed and said, "Afraid she'd cause a scene, I kept her at the police station for the day. By the time she gets back, it'll all be settled."
Standing outside the door, I forced a bitter smile and shook my head. I blocked Felix on every platform, turned around, and boarded a plane to another country.
That night, I heard Felix lost it when he couldn't find me. Usually composed, he went crazy, whispering with bloodshot eyes, "She's probably upset, throwing a tantrum. She'll come back once she cools down, she has to."
But he didn't know, I wasn't running away in anger—I genuinely wanted nothing more to do with him.
---
After dealing with the police, it was already dark.
On Felix's engagement day, I was so shaken that I got into a car accident while taking a turn. The other driver was difficult, dragging the ordeal out.
Felix's phone was unreachable the whole time.
His social media was flooded with pictures of him and his fiancée. Each image was a stab to my heart.
I was at my breaking point, my bottled-up grievances and anger demanding release, so I hailed a cab to his place.
The door was slightly open, voices spilled out.
Felix sometimes invited friends over for coffee or to watch sports.
I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but when they started talking about me, I froze.
"We all thought you'd end up with Juniper. You grew up with her, she's truly beautiful, but she's quite the firecracker," Gideon said.
"She's been spoiled, always causing a stir," Felix's friend Jesus added.
Felix slouched on the couch, glancing at his watch, an impatient frown creasing his handsome face.
Calculating the time, she’d be arriving soon to confront him. Just thinking about it was tiring.
"It's odd, with you getting engaged to Clover, surely Juniper would cause a scene? But she's been missing all day, where did she go?" Gideon asked.
Felix laughed, "To dodge her drama, I sent her to the police station for a coffee break. By the time she comes back, everything will be settled."
"Smart move, Felix is the only one who can manage Juniper," Jesus praised.
"Felix, have you considered that your engagement to Clover might have truly broken Juniper's heart, making her leave for good?" Gideon asked.
Felix recalled her tearful face, a wave of irritation hitting him.
Then he sneered, completely indifferent, "That's exactly what I hope for."
Hope for it? Seven years of effort and that's my reward.
I withdrew my hand from the door, turned around, and left.
Early autumn hadn't chilled the air yet, but I felt cold to the bone.
Years of back and forth with Felix, fighting and arguing, I was the only one left by his side.
I thought we'd make it through.
But he plotted to keep me at the police station just to get engaged to someone else.
How pathetic am I to let him treat me like this over and over?
The sky began to drizzle, the forecast predicting a temperature drop later with possible early frost.
Once frost starts in this coastal city, it doesn’t stop.
I used to dread winter; Felix would wrap me in his open coat, always kept a blanket in his car just for me.
Now, those moments I mistook for happiness won't reach the finish line.
The rain beat down, strands of hair sticking to my forehead, my steps slowing slightly.
I shook my head and forced a bitter smile.
How did life end up like this?
Gone was the spirit from before.
All those disputes over love felt like a joke now.
I tightened my damp coat around me, and a thought settled deep in my mind.
I'm going somewhere warm.
Where there’s no winter, no frost.
And no Felix.
Chapter 2
I blocked all of Felix Kennedy's contacts, including those of his friends. Then, a message came from an unknown number: Clover Graham, Felix's fiancée.
[Felix is engaged to me now. You can't imagine how much he cares for me, so you should just back off and maintain your dignity.]
[Felix couldn't stand you. Every time after seeing you, he'd buy me a gift as if to cleanse himself. Whatever you've got, I've got it too, and plenty more that you don't.]
[Stop bothering him, or I'll let everyone know you're trying to lure my fiancé away.]
Clover, Felix's perpetually-erring assistant. Delicate and fragile, her eyes would redden at the slightest harsh word, like a scared kitten. Does Felix realize how audacious she is? She's caused me trouble both openly and behind the scenes—accidentally spilled wine on my designer dress and intentionally broke my diamond necklace. I used to think she was a master manipulator, but Felix was full of sympathy for her.
Whenever I spoke harshly, Felix would jump to her defense. What a waste of all those clothes and jewelry. I complained, but Felix merely shrugged and said, "You have plenty of those things. Clover's new here. Don't be too hard on her."
Even if I have more, if someone else ruins them, they should pay for it. So I hired a lawyer to recover every penny from Clover. Then I tossed my phone card into the trash. Those two deserve each other; may they stay together forever.
My parents came upstairs, concern etched on their faces as they saw me packing.
"Juniper, are you sure about this decision? That Kennedy boy really pushed his luck. We should go demand an explanation from his family!"
Both families accepted my relationship with Felix, given our similar backgrounds and our history as childhood friends. We were as close as anyone could be.
"Mom, Dad, if you want me to retain any self-respect, don't go. Isn't it good that I'm heading abroad to help Marcos with his business? You've always wanted me to gain experience anyway."
My parents were caught off guard. After all, I used to be so infatuated, trailing Felix since high school.
"Are you sure this isn't just a reaction to spite?" Mom asked gently.
I embraced them tightly, resolute as I answered, "I was naive before, but that's in the past."
Just like with my brother, my parents had big hopes for me. I'd been too immature, stubbornly believing Felix was my entire world.
"Alright, alright. Our family's kids are determined and capable. Follow your path, and if things don't pan out, Dad's got your back."
I nodded, my voice thick with emotion. I turned and boarded the plane, ready to begin a new chapter abroad. Everything back home was now a memory.
You may also like
