"Mom, don't teach other people's children to be cheap women," Nathan said in a disapproving tone. But his mother responded to his words with another lengthy speech about women, about obedience to God, parents, and infidelity. "What's wrong with being cheap anyway? After all, it's not you who's at a loss." Indeed, it wasn't her who would suffer the consequences, but Haisley's future husband. He would be left with the pieces in the end. Then his mother proceeded to talk to Loretta, but with sensitive content that left the girl flustered. And Nathan knew, whatever Loretta's response, his mother would counter it with other statements. Fortunately, his father intervened in the conversation, preventing the sensitive discussion from continuing further. In the end, Nathan escorted Loretta back to her apartment. Loretta remained silent throughout the journey, just like when they were heading to the airport. But this time, Nathan knew that the girl seemed sadder than before. "Is there somet

His mother looked him up and down mockingly and then nodded her head toward the wall clock. "It's already eight, Nath. I thought you've vanished and hidden in your kingdom," she said mockingly. Why did his mother always behave so cynically and mock him? What had he done to her, really? Nathan walked to the dining table and chose to sit there, directly facing his mother. Gilbert sat across from his father, leaving two empty seats. One on Gilbert's left, which was also his mother's right side. One on Gilbert's right, which was Nathan's left side. The sound of the doorbell caught everyone's attention. Aunt Jody offered to open the door without being asked. Meanwhile, Haisley was still engrossed in her cooking, the smell of which reached the table. "Good morning," Loretta's cheerful greeting surprised everyone. Nathan, who was facing away from the entrance, had to turn his body first. "I hope I'm not too late for breakfast. I made breakfast for all of us," she said cheerfully. She car

Mrs. Monica looked at her youngest son with a stunned expression, as did Haisley. She didn't want to believe Gilbert's 'assumptions' and avoid building her hopes on uncertain grounds. It was just Gilbert's 'speculation.' In reality, Nathan had decided to marry Loretta, which meant he didn't want her. Because if Nathan did want her, he wouldn't rashly choose to marry a woman he didn't desire. If he truly loved her, he would choose Haisley over his business. Shouldn't love work that way? Or perhaps Nathan relied more on his rationality than his emotions? Yes, of course, marrying Haisley would offer Nathan no benefits compared to marrying Loretta, who could provide him with everything. Haisley sank back into despair. What she heard from Gilbert did momentarily lift her spirits, but the harsh reality swiftly brought her crashing down, not just back to earth, but into a seemingly bottomless pit. For Nathan, she indeed seemed unimportant, not worth fighting for. And that certainty fur

A week had passed since Haisley's conversation with Gilbert in the car. She still hadn't told her family about her plan to return to America because Haisley herself was now on the brink of confusion. Should she go back to her hometown and waste the golden opportunity to continue her education at a prestigious university just because of a broken heart? Or should she endure in a foreign land, far from the family she loved, with the possibility of getting hurt again someday?Haisley wanted to be wiser and more mature. She didn't want to rush into decisions and end up with regrets. She had worked for three years to get to this position. Just because of Nathaniel, she felt like the world's biggest fool.Haisley took a deep breath. She was now sitting in the campus courtyard with friends she had recently met. Studying abroad turned out to be not as terrifying as she had imagined. Because, as it turned out, she had made good friends. Although sometimes they had different opinions, their high

Nathan was quite surprised. Seeing Haisley's smile directed at Loretta somehow made his heart beat faster. The girl looked beautiful, although her appearance couldn't be considered extraordinary. But Haisley clearly looked beautiful. Even the bangs that were usually teased now made her appearance more graceful than ever. Nathan enjoyed the beautiful sight in front of him. Beautifully arched eyebrows, a small and sharp nose, Haisley's rosy cheeks were now etched in his eyes. Not to mention her lips, which were reddish and seemed sweet enough to kiss. Unconsciously, Nathan licked his lips. "I thought you wouldn't come," he said coldly, trying to hide his other desires that seemed to rebel against his body. "Gilbert invited me specifically. I wouldn't disrespect that," her cold reply, directed straight at him, made Nathan grind his teeth. Nathan was about to respond, but then his sister and her dance partner appeared. "Haisley, give it a try, you'll like it," Reia said, panting. Of