Chapter 13
Two years ago, when Leila had started this deception, she’d wom a mask around Ian every day. She’d carefully maintained the lie.
Even though she wasn’t used to living in a cheap apartment that was smaller than her bathroom back home, she’d still acted like it was her home.
She wasn’t used to the cheap clothes Ian had bought her online, but she’d still acted like she loved them. She also wasn’t used to the cheap food from roadside stalls, but she’d dug in with him each time.
Gradually, she’d gotten used to life being like that–it was without wealth, but it was filled with warmth and liveliness.
The rented apartment was tiny but was more like a home than the icy villa in which she’d grown up. Her clothes weren’t the most comfortable, but they came with
sincere love.
Only then did Leila realize that she’d fallen for Ian after leading a regular life for the past two years. She’d fallen in love with being with him.
However, the relationship had started based on a lie, and that fragile illusion had finally shattered.
Ian hadn’t berated her or thrown a fit. Instead, he’d given her his blessings and a goodbye before severing ties with their time together.
Leila felt like she was wandering through an endless desert. Her water source and oasis were just before her, yet she just couldn’t reach them no matter how fast she
ran.
It was only when she fell to the ground and scrambled to her feet again that she realized the oasis was gone. It had been nothing but an illusion.
She couldn’t take it anymore and fell to the floor. A lone tear fell from the comer of her eye and landed on the floor.
When Leila woke up again, she saw Connor scrolling through his phone beside her. He noticed she was awake and said, “Lili, my parents said that they can act as if nothing happened today if you’re willing to apologize. We can go ahead with the wedding.”
She turned away from him. “You should go, Connor. I’ve already decided to call off the engagement, and I’m not going to change my mind.”
She’d doted on him for the past two decades; he’d never been rejected by her before, let alone twice in the same day!
He stared at her in disbelief. “But why? Haven’t you always wanted to marry me? Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for that peasant!”
Leila’s expression darkened. She wouldn’t allow anyone to insult Ian anymore. “I won’t let you talk about Ian like that, Connor.”
Connor looked into her eyes. When he realized that she was serious, he snorted. “Do you remember how you used to refer to him two years ago, Lili? You called him a cheap ass. Has living like a peasant for two years taught you how to appreciate him?
“Judging from how anguished you are now, Ian has probably found out about you lying to him. Do you think he’ll still be with a woman who lied to him for two years? Think about how you helped me play him like a fool so many times. Stop dreaming, Lili!”
His words stabbed Leila like knives. She would never have agreed to help Connor get revenge on Ian if she’d known she would fall for the latter.
It was too bad there was no predicting the future.
She shut her eyes, her tone downright frosty as she said, “My matters have nothing to do with you. Leave!”
Connor was angry at being chased away again. Over the past 20 years, he’d come to think of Leila as his future wife and belonging. Two years ago, he’d only wanted to make Ian experience the agony of going from heaven to hell; he hadn’t expected Leila to actually fall for him, even wanting to call off their engagement to be
with him.
“You’d better think this through, Leila! I’m not coming back once I step out of this room! Are you sure you want to be with that peasant?” Connor snarled.
His repeated insults of Ian made Leila’s expression turn hideous. She looked at him with an iciness he’d never been on the receiving end of. “Get the fuck out of here!”
Connor stormed off, slamming the door as he left. Just then, Leila’s phone pinged. She checked it to see a message from her assistant, whom she’d asked to find out
where lan was.
“Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Zahn’s college has a graduate exchange program. I’ve looked into it and found that his name is on the list. He should probably have landed in Angleria by now.”
Leila’s gaze darkened. “Find out the college’s address and book me the next flight to Angleria.”
Chapter 14
