Chapter 15
After Leila found out where lan’s college was, she reminded her assistant to book her the earliest flight to Anglerla. However, members of the Sutherland family stopped her before she could board the plane.
Her father slapped her, looking furious. “How long are you going to keep this up, you imbecile? That peasant is nothing but a worthless orphan–how dare you call off your engagement to Connor and the Jensen family over someone like him!
“I didn’t object to your pretending to be poor for the past two years and dating that peasant so you could help Connor get revenge, but that doesn’t mean I’ll allow you to marry him! Even if my son–in–law isn’t from the Jensen family, he has to come from a family of equal standing!”
Leila’s head turned to the side from the force of the slap, and blood trickled down the corner of her lip. Still, she turned back to look at her father stubbornly, “I won’t marry Connor or anyone else. Ian is the only one I love!”
His chest heaved with rage, and he hit her with his walking cane, “Lock this imbecile in our private chapell”
Leila struggled with all her might, but was still no match for the bodyguards. They subdued her and locked her in the Sutherland family’s private chapel after confiscating all her devices. She was left alone except for mealtimes, when someone would bring her food.
She refused to cave despite being treated like this for half a month and even started going on a hunger strike.
Her mother was the first to lose her calm after a three–day hunger strike. She clamored for Leila to be released.
Leila’s father was left with no choice but to let her out, but he wasn’t happy about it. His expression was stormy as he said, “I’ll allow you to go to Anglería to look for that peasant, but you have to promise that you’ll come back if he doesn’t want you anymore. You’ll marry a man of equal standing!”
He slammed his walking cane on the floor in finality.
Leila immediately agreed. The way she saw it, lan had loved her for two years. He’d sold his kidney in exchange for her life–that was how deep his feelings for her ran. He would forgive her as long as she sincerely apologized and told him she’d long since fallen for him.
After being set free from the chapel, she immediately flew abroad, She prepared herself for the prospect of lan ignoring or chasing her away upon their reunion. None of that mattered as long as she could see him. Once he forgave her, she would propose to him and tell the world how much she loved him.
Unexpectedly, their first meeting after a month involved her discovering another woman by his side. They chatted and laughed as they walked, so engrossed that they didn’t even notice her following them.
She trailed them silently like a thief coveting their happiness from the shadows. Longing overwhelmed her as she watched Ian’s familiar figure from behind, and she called his name before she broke down. “Ian, I’ve finally found you.”
“What are you doing here? Aren’t you and Connor already engaged?” He backed away, putting distance between them.
The action made Leila’s heart ache. Still, she knew it was her fault for hurting him. She said, “I’ve called things off with Connor. You’re the one I love.”
She reached out, unable to stop herself from wanting to hold his hand as they’d always done in the past. However, Rosalie, who’d remained silent, protectively pulled her behind him.
She said, “You can say what you need to say, miss, but keep your hands to yourself.”
Leila had disliked Rosalie from the moment she’d laid eyes on her; she’d only stopped herself from doing anything because she didn’t want Ian to have a bad impression of her.
Her expression turned frosty as she snarled, “What happens between my boyfriend and me is none of your business.”
Ian retorted, “We’re over, Leila. We’ve been over for half a month.”
Rosalie pulled him further behind her. “Clinging like this isn’t exactly dignified.”
his face,
He pointed at the scar on his face, which had almost faded completely. “When I first arrived in Angleria, I was covered in wounds, the worst of which was this one on my face. It was ghastly.
“If not for you choosing to save your childhood sweetheart, or if not for me using all my money to treat your so–called cancer, this scar would’ve disappeared ages ago.”
Leila’s anger was instantly extinguished at the mention of his wounds.
He was right. If not for her starting this deception two years ago, if not for her scamming him out of all his money, If not for her choosing to protect someone in a time of danger… Things wouldn’t have ended up the way they were.
Jan pursed his lips when he saw how downtrodden she looked. He knew what Lella was like–she wouldn’t leave unless he made himself clear.
He gestured for Rosalie to leave so that he could speak to Leila. They were just outside his dorm–she wouldn’t do anything out of line.
Rosalie reluctantly left after making sure he’d be safe alone. However, Leila took this as a sign of lan softening. Hope surged in her. Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed in the next second.
Ian said, “I don’t love you anymore, Leila. Leave.”
