In Her Pond: The CEO’s Obsession

Hubert Parker and I had been together since our teenage years.

We went from innocent first love to planning a lifetime together.

But a week before our wedding, he died in a sudden accident.

I cried until I nearly passed out, only to see strange messages flashing before my eyes.

[Can someone please tell the poor female lead he’s not really dead?]

[Hubert’s secret lover ran away after hearing about his wedding. He faked his death that very night and flew overseas to chase her. The female lead’s crying by his grave while the mistress is crying in his bed. This is killing me!]

[What a pity. When he finally came back, she knew nothing and still married him with a smile…]

Half a month later, news spread across Ashford that I was engaged to the heir of one of the city’s most powerful families.

One of Hubert’s closest friends confronted me in disbelief.

“It hasn’t even been that long since Hubert passed, and you’ve already found someone new?”

“He’s gone. I can’t spend the rest of my life in mourning, can I?”

When lines of text started flashing before my eyes, I thought it was just grief making me hallucinate.

But the messages didn’t stop—

[If the female lead goes up to the rooftop now, she’ll realize the male lead isn’t dead at all.]

[She’s barely eaten in two days because of him. How’s she supposed to climb to the rooftop in that state?]

Dragging my lead-heavy legs, I forced myself up the stairs toward the rooftop.

There was only a short flight left when I heard a voice I knew better than anyone—light, teasing, and familiar.

“My funeral’s not even over yet?”

The voice came from the phone of Hubert’s close friend, Ryan Wood.

“Not yet, man.”

“Where’s Rose? She hasn’t figured anything out, has she?”

Ryan replied, “No way. She’s been running herself ragged the past two days. Nearly fainted yesterday from crying too hard. She’s probably still in her room sobbing right now.”

Hubert’s tone was casual. “Make sure you keep comforting her for me.”

Another friend beside him, Sean Smith, chimed in, half-joking, “But seriously, Hubert, you’ve really fallen for that little sugar baby of yours, haven’t you?

“Faking your death and flying all the way to Westin just to chase her. You even made us play along too.”

The messages were right.

I gripped the railing so tightly my knuckles turned white.

Every cell in my body trembled.

I heard Hubert say, “Whether I’ve fallen for her or not isn’t your concern. Just help me keep it from Rose.”

Ryan asked, “So, are you still going through with the wedding?”

“Of course. Once I’m back, everything goes on as planned. But before that, can’t you let me go a little crazy for love?”

“Well, that’s fair.”

“After marriage, I’ll only be allowed to orbit around one person. Might as well enjoy this while I can, haha.”

The three of them laughed in silent understanding.