Regretted Love

To the outside world, I chased Julian for three years and never caught him.
But he and I knew the truth: we were a secret couple for all three of them.
At a party, someone asked me if I planned on staying single forever if I couldn't win Julian over. Even Julian himself laughed along.
Hey, I know a lot of guys. Want me to set you up with someone? Just for fun?
On this very day in my past life, I couldn't take it anymore and revealed our relationship to everyone.
Mia, the new transfer student, burst into tears and ran out of the room.
Julian didn't say anything in public, but in private, he grew colder and colder.
After we married, I was in a car accident during my pregnancy. As I was being wheeled into surgery, he was in the Maldives with Mia, helping her "clear her head."
As my body and my baby's were being sent to the crematorium, he was at a Michelin-starred restaurant, celebrating Mias birthday.
Only then did I finally understand. I was never the one he loved.
Reborn into this life, I just smiled. "No need. Im already engaged."

1
The room fell silent. Almost instinctively, every head turned to look at Julian.
He was lounging on the sofa, but his relaxed posture went rigid for a split second before he let out a derisive snort.
"Good for you. Saves me the trouble of you chasing me around all day. It was getting annoying."
I offered a faint smile and didn't reply.
The atmosphere thickened with awkwardness. The friend who organized the party, trying to salvage the mood, shouted, "Alright, alright, let's keep the game going! It's Julian's turn!
"The dare is pick a girl in the room and kiss her for thirty seconds!"
It was supposed to be a flirty game that would get everyone hooting and hollering.
But the room fell silent once more.
Because there were only two girls present.
Me.
And the transfer student, Mia.
Everyone knew that Mia and I hadn't gotten along since the day she arrived.
The host chuckled nervously. "Hey, Julian, man, maybe you should just take a shot instead..."
"No need."
Julian stubbed out his cigarette. Without a second's hesitation, he turned, cupped the back of Mias head with one hand, and kissed her.
Mia let out a startled little gasp before melting into it, her eyes fluttering shut.
When the kiss ended, Julian leaned back onto the sofa, but his eyes were locked on me.
"It's just a game," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "It's not like I can't handle it."
The people around us erupted in forced laughter, playing along.
My friend sitting next to me shot me a sympathetic glance.
I was about to say something when my phone vibrated in my pocket.
It was a text message.
Are you home yet?
Seeing it, I stood up from the sofa. "I've got to go, guys," I announced to the room.
I didn't waste another second and walked out of the private lounge.

2
I was reborn a month ago.
The first thing I did was break up with Julian. Then, I accepted the engagement my family had arranged with Alan Crane, the scion of a prominent family from Port Sterling.
In my last life, my family had arranged the same engagement, but I was so blindly devoted to Julian that I refused it outright.
But when I died on that operating table, Julian was off traveling the world with Mia.
In the end, it was Alan who arranged for my burial.
I lowered my head and replied to his text.
Not yet. On my way now.
Alans grandfather's birthday was in a few days. Alan and I had scheduled a video call tonight to pick out a gift for him together.
My phone buzzed again, several times in quick succession.
I glanced down. It was Julian.
What's wrong? Couldn't take it, so you ran off?
Weren't you acting all tough a minute ago? Making up that story about being engaged just to piss me off?
My gaze drifted to the message just above his, sent a month ago. The text where I broke up with him. He had never replied.
I lowered my eyes, slipped the phone back into my pocket without answering, and walked on.
A black Maybach was parked by the curb.
Another text from Alan came through.
It's not safe to go home alone at night. I called a car for you.
Sorry, things are busy here in Port Sterling right now. I wish I could have come to get you myself.
I smiled and typed back: It's okay. Take care of your business.

3
The Crane family was incredibly influential.
Alan's grandfather's birthday gala would be a massive affair.
Alan had already prepared a gift for me to give, but I wanted to choose something myself to show my sincerity.
The moment the video call connected, a strikingly handsome face appeared on the screen. He was dressed in black, with a high-bridged nose and deep, dark eyes. The light caught the clean, sharp line of his lips.
Alan's voice was a gentle counterpoint to his cool, composed appearance. For someone who looked so aloof, he spoke with surprising warmth.
I showed him the gifts I'd shortlisted based on his grandfather's tastes, one by one. He was incredibly patient, and we ended up talking for over an hour.
As we were wrapping up, he said, "Stella, I'll have someone pick you up this weekend."
I nodded. "Okay."
After hanging up, I went to wash up for the night.
When I got into bed and picked up my phone, I saw a message from a friend.
Stella, are you okay? I organized the party tonight to try and get you and Julian back on track, but I never expected
I sent her a cheerful sticker to show her I was fine.
After a moment's thought, I typed out another message.
I really am engaged. Julian and I are over for good.
The "typing..." bubble appeared on her end. A long while later, her reply came.
I'm glad you've seen the light.
A small smile tugged at my lips. I closed the chat and started scrolling through my social feed.
The latest post was from Julian.
Introducing my new girlfriend, everyone! Love her so much~
The photo was a selfie of him and Mia.
That tone, the cutesy emoji Julian definitely didn't write that himself.
It was laughable, really. In the three years we were together, Julian never once let me touch his phone, let alone use it to post something.
But now... it wasn't my problem anymore.
I turned off my phone and drifted off to sleep.
I was deep in a dream when a ringing phone jolted me awake.
I squinted, fumbled for the phone, and answered it. Julian's voice slurred through the speaker.
"Stella, I'm drunk. Come get me..."
I was instantly wide awake, cursing my luck. I should have blocked him.
When I didn't say anything, Julian chuckled.
"Still mad? You saw the post, huh?" His voice was laced with amusement, the last word lilting upwards. "It was just a dare from a game, we were messing around. It'll be deleted in three days."
"That has nothing to do with me," I said, my voice cold.
I don't know what nerve my words struck, but his amusement only deepened.
"Alright, stop sulking. Ill buy you those soup dumplings you love from the East End tomorrow morning. Save room, okay? Be good."
That last word made my stomach turn.
I hung up, blocked his number, turned off my phone, and went back to sleep.

4
The next morning, I walked into the classroom.
Mia was at her desk, eating breakfast. When she saw me, she gave me a sly little smile and then turned to Julian, who was sleeping with his head on his desk.
"Julian, thank you so much for going all the way to the East End to get me soup dumplings this morning. They're delicious."
Julian lifted his head, his eyes still heavy with sleep. "If you like them, then..."
His words caught in his throat when he saw me. He stopped mid-sentence.
I walked past them without a glance, took my seat, and opened my book.
Later, between classes, Julian cornered me on my way to the restroom.
"Stella, Mia was feeling sick this morning, so..."
"Oh."
I cut him off with a nod, not waiting for him to finish his excuse, and tried to step around him.
He frowned and grabbed my wrist. "Stella, don't be so petty. If you saw a classmate who wasn't feeling well, you'd do the same thing I did."
I yanked my arm free, a sneer on my face.
This had happened so many times before. Mia always had some excuse to take what Julian had promised me. She was the innocent, gentle one. Every time, she would apologize with tears in her eyes, "Stella, I'm so sorry, it's all my fault..."
And I, by comparison, was the unreasonable one with the bad temper who always made a scene.
Julian rubbed his brow. "Okay, stop being angry. I'll take you out of town this weekend. We can get dinner, see a movie."
This was his go-to move whenever we had a big fight. He wouldn't apologize or solve the problem. He'd just offer a movie or a dinner, a cheap way to smooth things over and move on.
I ignored him and walked away.

5
The next morning, a car from the Crane family was already waiting downstairs when I woke up.
I was a little surprised. They had been waiting quietly, with no intention of waking me.
Just as I was about to say something, I received another text from Julian.
It was from a new number.
Stella, something came up this weekend, so I can't take you to the movies. Be good, take care of yourself, and make sure you eat properly. If I find out you've been skipping meals, you know I'll have to spank you!
And unblock your husband!
The message made me gag. I nearly threw up.
What a way to start the morning. More of his filth.
I really needed to get a new number.

6
Three hours later, our flight landed in Port Sterling.
The moment I stepped into the terminal, Alans mother, Eleanor, rushed over to greet me. She and my mom had been best friends since childhood. Later, one stayed in our hometown while the other married into the Crane family in Port Sterling. Though they lived far apart, their bond never weakened.
Eleanor excitedly linked her arm with mine, looking around.
"Where did that rascal Alan run off to?"
The butler standing beside her replied, "Mr. Crane was waiting for Miss Stella, but his father just called him away on urgent business."
The butlers formal address made me blush a little.
"That boy," Eleanor sighed. "Always busy, busy, busy. Stella, dear, let me show you around first."
"I..."
It was all happening so fast.
I glanced at my phone. Alan had just sent me a message.
Wait for me. I'll be there soon.
I replied: Okay.
Eleanor held my hand as she introduced me to the guests arriving for the party.
To everyone she met, she would say:
"This is my daughter-in-law, my little Stella. Isn't she just gorgeous?"
"Oh, Mrs. Lee, isn't your son still single this year? Well, look here, this is my daughter-in-law. We'll be sure to invite you to the wedding!"
"My goodness, Mrs. Wang..."
After a few rounds of this, I was feeling completely overwhelmed.
Thankfully, there were so many guests today that Eleanor was quite busy. Before leaving me, she asked the butler to stay with me.
"Miss Stella, the garden has been planted with many of your favorite flowers. Perhaps you'd like to take a look."
My eyes widened in surprise. "My favorites?"
The butler smiled and nodded. "Yes. Mr. Crane began preparing a month ago. We are now all quite familiar with your preferences."
To say I was shocked would be an understatement.
Beneath the shock, there was another, indescribable feeling stirring within me. I barely knew anything about Alan, yet he had gone to such lengths to learn every little thing about me.
"Thank you, Mr. Samuels. I think I will go have a look."
I walked out into the garden. Just as the butler had said, it was filled with all my favorite flowers.
I was admiring the blossoms when a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Stella Jiang, what are you doing here?!"
I looked up to see Mia standing there, her face a mask of shock. And next to her was Julianthe same Julian who had texted me to say he had an "urgent matter" to attend to this weekend.

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