After Ninety-Nine Rejections

In the third year of chasing the famously untouchable Hayden Lane, I still hadn't managed to marry him.

The Lane family had an old rule. Any woman who wanted to marry into the family had to personally draw a fortune stick and receive a supreme blessing.

I tried ninety-nine times.

Every single time, the result was the worst possible omen.

Before my hundredth draw, I personally saw Hayden replacing every fortune stick inside the cylinder.

"No matter how many times she tries, she can only draw the worst omen."

At that moment, I finally understood that he truly didn't love me.

But that was fine. I didn't want to marry him anymore either.

I tossed the fortune cylinder aside and turned away. Then I called my parents.

"I accept the marriage alliance with the York family."

As I left the temple, I ran into Hayden Lane again.

His gaze lingered on my swollen, red eyelids for a brief moment before he calmly looked away.

It was Samuel Langley beside him who broke the awkward silence.

"Ms. Johnson, are you heading back?"

My throat was hoarse from crying. Speaking hurt, so I simply nodded.

Then I walked to the ticket counter, planning to take the cable car down the mountain.

Samuel's puzzled voice came from behind me.

"Ms. Johnson, you're taking the cable car down? You're not walking?"

I turned around and met the confusion in both Samuel's and Hayden's eyes. A bitter feeling rose in my chest.

For three years, ninety-nine visits to draw a fortune stick. Every time, I had climbed the mountain on my knees. Then I limped all the way back down. All of it was to show heaven how sincere I was.

I thought if I was sincere enough, I would eventually receive a supreme blessing.

But no matter how sincere I was, I could never receive the blessing Hayden had no intention of giving me.

If that was the case, why should I keep suffering like this?

I scanned the code and bought my ticket.

"I'm tired. I don't feel like walking," I said casually.

My hoarse voice had barely faded when Samuel lifted the car keys in his hand.

"Perfect timing. Hayden and I are heading down the mountain too. Want a ride with us?"

Before I could refuse, Hayden coldly said, "We're picking someone up. There's no time to drop her off."

As he brushed past me, he suddenly paused. He glanced at my pale face, then spoke anyway.

"If you know you're tired, stop climbing up on your knees next time."

He had always been a cold person. Even his voice carried a low, distant tone.

Back then, no matter how harsh his words were, I still thought his voice sounded nice. I used to think that if he ever spoke to me with care, or breathed my name in passion, it would sound even better.

Now that I thought about it, it would probably be nothing special.

After I got down