11
The cold metal of the microphone bit into my palm, sending a faint sting through my hand.”
But in the end, I gripped it tighter and spoke with firm resolve.
“Freya and I divorced a year ago. Therefore, all the rumors circulating online about Harper are false.“”
I paused, about to continue, but in that instant, a vision flickered in my mind–the wedding.
To be specific, it was the moment I’d stood before Freya, looking into her eyes. I had promised to protect her for a lifetime- never to betray her.”
Every word I had spoken back then now pierced into my chest like a volley of fine arrows.”
“Rodney? Rodney? What are you doing?“”
Yes… what was I doing?!
Lifting my gaze, I met Harper’s eyes–bright, expectant, fixed on me.”
She had dressed with meticulous care for this day.”
Her beauty was undeniable, alluring in a way that drew attention.”
And yet, to me, it felt a touch excessive.
Without meaning to, another face surfaced in my mind–lightly powdered, understated… yet unforgettable.
Still lost in the haze of memory, I didn’t notice how long I’d stayed silent until Harper’s anxiety began to show.
She called my name again, this time louder.[
Heads turned.
Cameras tilted toward me.\
‘A wave of attention crashed down from all sides, the scrutiny making my skin prickle.
But there was no retreat now.
Forcing myself to lift the microphone again, I curved my lips into a smile.
“Harper is my wife. I divorced Freya a year ago. Harper and I have a very good relationship. Those so–called photographs that were taken earlier are nothing more than fabricated rumors,” I said in one breath.
Scanning the cameras with my eyes, I added, “Please, everyone, direct your attention toward the company’s current projects. That will be all from me today.“[
With that, I took Harper’s hand.[
Her lips curled into a perfectly timed blush of shyness.
Under countless watchful eyes, I leaned stiffly toward her and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
For a fleeting moment, I felt something vanish.”
And then, unbidden, another memory surged forward–my first intimate time with Freya.”
It had been in the third month of our marriage.”
That night, she had taken the initiative, leaning toward me and brushing a kiss against my lips.\
In that heartbeat, my pulse had lost its rhythm.
Yet I had refused to believe it–refused to believe I could fall for someone so quickly.
It wasn’t until three years later that we had truly opened our hearts to one another.”
The recollection constricted my chest.
Around us, the press captured every word, every frame, their shutters clicking in rapid bursts.”
By the end of today’s press conference, Harper and I’s so–called “fairy–tale romance” would be splashed across the entire States.
“Such is the power of a man’s first love. Freya once saved L. Corp. in its time of crisis. But she was still cast aside in the end. Poor Freya.“[
Amid the tide of congratulatory voices, my ears locked onto that single remark.N
My body went rigid.”
Without a word, I tightened my grip on Harper’s hand and began steering her toward the exit.
Just then, the LED screen behind us suddenly came alive.
And the sound of ragged breathing echoed through the speakers.N
