Chapter 1
“Lina, are you really thinking of quitting now when your career is taking off?” Tammy asked in surprise from the other end of the phone.
Lina paused briefly before responding confidently, “Yes, I’m sure. I’ll be holding a press conference in a week, and that’s also when my flight overseas leaves. Could you help me with the arrangements on the international front?”
Tammy didn’t press further. She understood that once Lina made up her mind, there was no changing it.
After ending the call, an Instagram notification appeared, “Eric Absom, CEO of the Absom Group, spent 50 million to buy a rare diamond.”
In the accompanying video, Eric grinned as he participated in an interview.
“Mr. Absom, what motivated you to spend 50 million on this diamond? Although diamonds are valuable, such a small gem doesn’t seem to justify that price.”
The comment section below quickly erupted with admiration for Eric’s devotion to his wife.
“This man truly knows how to love–Mrs. Absom is so lucky! I heard that even though the diamond is small, it holds great significance. It was personally crafted by the King for his wife. He only ever loved one woman, so this diamond not only is of excellent quality but also symbolizes unwavering love.”
“No surprise! Eric and the renowned author Lina are famous for their
05:38 C
Chapter 1
288 Vouchers
deep connection. Eric was even willing to forfeit his inheritance rights just to marry Lina back then.”
“Plus, they’ve been married for five years, and even though Lina hasn’t gotten pregnant yet, and the Absom family has a limited lineage, they’ve never been involved in any scandals. Eric continues to cherish Lina as if she’s everything to him–what a fairy–tale romance that many people admire!”
***
Lina smiled wryly, her finger pausing on Eric’s image. He was just as handsome and charming as he had been during their college days.
Back then, Lina had made a name for herself at Harvard University after her article was published in the school journal. With her striking appearance, she naturally attracted many admirers. Among them, Eric was the most persistent. Lina’s aloof and detached demeanor often deterred others, but Eric pursued her for four entire years.
Despite Lina’s cold remarks and others‘ sarcastic comments, Eric remained focused on being with her. During a fire in the dormitory building, Eric dashed into the flames like a madman to save Lina, who was barely conscious. He nearly lost his life, spending two long months in the hospital before recovering. That event marked the beginning of Lina’s emotional openness to him.
When Lina finally agreed to be with him, she said, “Eric, I’ve been abandoned many times in my life. If you ever betray me, I will leave you without hesitation, because I refuse to be abandoned again.”
“Eric, I’ve been left behind by others for half my life. If you ever betray me, I won’t hesitate to leave, because I refuse to be abandoned again.”
Lina’s early years were harsh. When she was just five, her father left
18 48%
05:38
Chapter 1
288 Wouchers
her and her mother for another woman. The following year, her mother, overwhelmed by the loss, drowned herself in a river. Lina’s grandmother, her sole remaining family member, was diagnosed with cancer before Lina began college and chose to end her life to avoid becoming a burden. Throughout her life, Lina had faced nothing but loss and separation, learning that she could only depend on herself.
That day, with tears in his eyes, Eric embraced her tightly.
“Don’t worry, Lina. I promise you’ll never have to make that choice.”
Despite opposition from his family, Eric married Lina right after they graduated. He treated her with the care of a father, and over the next five years, his love for her only deepened, making him the perfect partner–loving and wealthy–in the eyes of others.
However, while promises are easy to make, they are hard to keep. Eric was no exception. A month ago, Lina uncovered his affair. For the past six months, he had significantly increased his overtime and business trips. It turned out that every moment he wasn’t with her, he was with another woman.
Lina set her phone aside and started to pack her belongings. Material things didn’t mean much to her–aside from a few cherished books and simple clothing, she owned little else.
Unable to take the books with her, she found a cardboard box, packed them, and got ready to donate them to a charity. She then wrote “Divorce Agreement” on a sheet of paper. The decision had been made as soon as she discovered Eric’s unfaithfulness. Initially, she was stunned, but soon all she could think about was how to leave. This time, she wouldn’t be the one left behind–though choosing to walk away gave her no pleasure.
When Eric came back, he was smiling brightly. Lina rarely expressed
42 04%
0539
Chapter 1
288 Vouchers
her preferences, but she had instantly liked this ancient diamond, so he had spared no expense to purchase it for her.
“Honey, come take a look—is this the one you wanted?” he asked, wrapping an arm around her waist and presenting a small box like it
was a treasure.
He still looked at Lina with the same intensity as ever, but who would have guessed that a man who seemed to cherish her in such high regard could be so deceitful?
Lina caught a whiff of perfume on him that wasn’t hers and gently distanced herself. He had left wearing a tie, but now he returned in just a shirt. Lina resisted the temptation to question where he’d been or what he’d done–she simply didn’t care anymore.
She picked up the diamond pendant. She had been enchanted by its story involving a King and his wife, but now, envisioning Eric with someone else, her heart felt as though it was being squeezed tightly, crushed repeatedly, and torn apart. Gazing at the diamond again, all she could sense was irony.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you like it?” Eric asked, puzzled by Lina’s reaction.
“No, I love it,” Lina replied, forcing a smile that trembled with effort.
Once Eric heard her say she loved it, he relaxed and offered to put the pendant on her. But Lina declined. Such a valuable item should belong to those who truly love each other–and they didn’t.
“Something this expensive? I’d be too scared to wear it.”
She nonchalantly placed the small box in a cabinet, only to be drawn back into Eric’s embrace.
66.86%
05.38
Chapter 1
11
“Lina, nothing in this world is more precious to me than you. You deserve all the best things.”
Eric’s cologne made her feel a bit queasy. Had he murmured those sweet words to another woman too?
Lina shoved him away and turned around to regain her composure. When she faced him again, she noticed Eric scowling at the stacks of books.
“Are you putting these away? Won’t you read them anymore?”
Lina had always treasured these books–many were rare editions that Eric had painstakingly found for her. Even though she was hesitant to give them away, she realized that if she could let go of the person she cared for the most, what else was truly irreplaceable?
“I’ve read them all. I’m planning to donate them to children in the mountains.”
She subtly tightened her fists. “Eric, can’t you see? I’m letting go of you just as I’m letting go of these books.”
67 601
