When the Lovesick Fool Moved On

My sister and I fought over Preston for over a decade.

But Preston still preferred my talented, accomplished sister.

I threw myself into learning every art form imaginable, desperate for just one glance from him.

At twenty-five, I graduated from Oxford with a degree in Finance.

But when I came home, Preston still pushed my hand away.

"I only love Jade. Stop wasting your energy."

I stood frozen.

My best friend pulled out tissues to wipe my tears.

I dodged them, confused.

"Why do I find him so boring now? He's just good-looking. I can't even understand why I liked him in the first place. Have I fallen out of love?"

My friend smiled.

"You've moved forward, while he's still stuck in the same place."

My sister Jade and I got out of the car at the same time.

Without warning, Jade stumbled sideways.

Preston rushed forward without hesitation to catch her.

Jade leaned into his arms, silently flashing me a mocking smile.

Everyone around us lowered their heads, smirking.

Because they knew what came nextI would yank Jade away, scream at her for faking, accuse her of stealing Preston's love.

Then Preston would scold me for being immature, making me cry.

That was the usual script.

But after waiting a moment, I still hadn't moved.

Over the years, I'd nearly driven myself insane trying to get Preston to notice me.

I'd studied, started businesses, built social media platforms.

After experiencing corporate tactics and even meeting people in politics

Jade's little stumble seemed ridiculous.

"Good thing you didn't fall."

I said calmly, handing the gifts to a servant.

"My parents asked me to bring these for your parents."

Jade's expression soured.

Preston frowned at me.

Inside the house, I discovered there were only four chairs in the dining room.

Preston's father, Preston's mother, Prestonthat was already three chairs.

Jade suddenly laughed.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I forgot to mention you were coming. They didn't prepare a seat for you."

"Why are you explaining?"

Preston looked at me coldly.

"It wasn't intentional. Just go get yourself a chair. No need to make things difficult for her."

Always like this.

Preston always stood unconditionally on Jade's side.

But strangely, I truly felt nothing about it anymore.

I couldn't even understand why I'd fought so bitterly with my sister over him.

"Mr. Gallagher, I haven't said anything yet."

Preston froze.

In the past, I would have been red-eyed and screaming by now.

"You're upset."

Jade stepped forward with tears in her eyes, grabbing my hand. "Let me grab you a chair. No need to be upset."

She moved to get one, but Preston grabbed her arm.

He looked down at me.

"This is the Gallagher house, not a place for you to throw your weight around.

"If you're not willing, then don't eat."

Some servants couldn't help but laugh out loud.

I heard someone whisper, "WatchMiss Smith will definitely fetch that chair herself."

"Of course! She'll do anything to sit closer to our young master."

"No need."

I smiled lightly.

"I only came to deliver gifts from my parents anyway, not specifically for dinner.

"I happen to have other plans. Enjoy your meal."

Preston looked at me with unfamiliar eyes.

I ignored him, turned around, and walked away.

Jade buried herself in Preston's arms, eyes red.

"What's so urgent?

"Does she just hate me that much? Is that why she won't stay?"

Preston watched me get in the car and drive away, frowning slightly.

"Don't take it to heart.

"After a few years at Oxford, her attention-seeking tactics have certainly become more sophisticated."

Jade bit her lip.

"True. She's learned to play hard to get. I'm scared that one day you might..."

Preston touched her head.

"I told you, I only like you."

Actually, I really did have plans.

My classmate and I had started an internet company together.

There was a lot to handle.

I had a dinner meeting with a client.

My business partner sent me a message.

Heard you're back in the country. Got a big surprise for you.

I replied casually.

If I'd known what that surprise was then, I would have made her cancel it.

I hadn't planned to have any more contact with Preston.

But an elder in the family was celebrating a birthday.

As old family friends, we would still appear at the same birthday party.

But when I arrived with my gift, I realized it wasn't a birthday party at all.

It was a proposal.

Preston knelt on one knee.

When he saw me arrive, a mocking smile curved his lips.

He gently slipped the diamond ring onto Jade's finger.

"Wonderful!"

My parents started clapping enthusiastically.

I looked at them in confusion.

"Isn't today Grandpa's birthday?"

I frowned. "Are you all that eager to get them engaged? I genuinely thought..."

My father coughed. "We kept it from you because we were afraid you'd ruin it."

"You don't know? Preston just became the Regional Director for Nexus Group."

Nexus?!

I froze.

That... that's the company my classmate and I started together!

"A son-in-law like Preston is rare. Of course we had to lock down the engagement quickly.

"We know you like Preston, but feelings can't be forced. After all these years, he still doesn't like you. Stop clinging to him, okay?"

I stayed silent.

I texted my partner.

Please don't tell me the surprise is Preston?!

She sent back a tongue-out emoji.

We all know you like him! I arranged the regional personnel myself. As director, he reports directly to you. Now you can be inseparable from him.

I pressed my hand to my forehead.

"Look! Isn't that Preston's lapdog, that Smith girl!"

"Damn! It's her! She actually dared to come!"

"Look at how miserable she looks! I almost feel sorry for her."

The gossip was giving me a headache.

I went to a room to discuss this with my partner.

After explaining that I no longer liked him, I opened the door.

A hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

Yanking me into the stairwell.

"Preston!"

My wrist hurt.

He shoved me aside.

"You saw what happened today."

His voice was cold.

I rubbed my aching wrist and frowned at him.

"I'm engaged to Jade now. You should find someone to marry too."

"Marry?" I laughed coldly. "That's not in my plans right now."

"Are you really going to keep throwing yourself at me?"

I paused.

Finally understandinghe'd misunderstood.

"What I meant was, I'm not getting married because my career is in an upward phase."

Preston stared at me for a moment.

Then suddenly laughed.

"Don't you think that excuse is pathetic?"

I froze.

"Nexus's CEO is also a woman about your age.

"Even she's thinking about marriage. What are you pretending for?"

I couldn't find words to argue.

Everyone knew I'd been love-obsessed.

Which meant now that I'd woken up, no one believed it.

Even my business partner was the same.

"Listen to me."

He leaned closer.

"I didn't like you before, and after getting engaged, I definitely won't like you.

"Throwing yourself at me will only make me despise you more. Unless..."

He narrowed his eyes. "You think you can be my mistress?"

I suddenly understood my past self even less.

The man before me

Shallow, arrogant, classless.

Why had I fought with Jade over him until we were both exhausted?

With a cold laugh, I pushed past him and walked away.

My partner wanted to come apologize.

At the party, I quietly sipped orange juice.

A whistle.

Seven or eight men sat down around me.

Surrounding me.

"Well if it isn't the little princess! You actually came to Preston's engagement party."

"We were all wondering if the princess would be too heartbroken to show up."

"Looks like the princess is still in love."

A hand grabbed my shoulder strap.

I frowned and slapped it away hard.

"Whoa, a few years abroad and you've got a temper!"

"Not like when you used to beg us to put in a good word for you, huh?"

When I was obsessed with Preston, I didn't just fawn over himI fawned over his friends too.

Jade was talented and accomplished. I couldn't compete, so I pinned my hopes on these buddies helping me look good to Preston.

I remembered all of Preston's hobbies.

I remembered these friends' hobbies even better.

Every year I'd send expensive gifts, begging them to help me make a good impression on Preston.

Thinking back now, I understood myself less and less.

I'd been too sheltered.

"Hey, Preston's engaged now. You've got no chance. It's true you can't compete with your sister's position in his heart.

"That's reality."

"But it's not completely hopeless."

The man leaned closer, the smell of alcohol and cigarettes invading my space.

"Spend one night with us, and we'll put in a good word for you.

"So you can sleep with Preston later. How about it?"

I tried to dodge.

But someone grabbed my chin. "Don't be shy. We'll keep it secret."

"Hey? Preston?"

Someone spotted Preston passing by.

"Preston!"

I jumped up, but was yanked back onto the couch.

Preston had heard everything.

"Preston! Make your friends leave!"

His friends' faces showed a flash of nervousness.

They exchanged glances.

But Preston just put his arm around Jade's waist.

No expression on his face.

He turned and left.

The man pulled me into his arms, gripping my chin.

"Still don't get it?

"To Preston, your sister comes before us, before dogs, before you."

My expression turned cold.

"So be a good girl. Please us, and we'll convince Preston to let you be a good dog by his side."

"Yeah, don't worry. We'll keep the princess's secret."

The wine glass in my hand tightened.

I shattered it with my grip.

They stared at the broken glass in my hand.

Stunned.

"Who do you think you're messing with?"

One punch landed hard on the temple of the man holding me.

To outdo Jade, I hadn't just pursued higher education and credentials.

I'd also trained in sports.

Boxing was one of my skills.

Blood sprayed from his nose.

A bottle smashed into my head.

I felt dizzy.

But years of physical training helped me grit my teeth and stay standing.

I grabbed the attacker's throat and slammed his head into the table.

"Want to destroy me?"

I looked down at them. "You're not ready for that."

A hand came out of nowhere and struck my face.

I stumbled back two steps, catching myself on the couch.

Preston frowned.

"I just got engaged to Jade and you're throwing a tantrum!"

My parents rushed out at the commotion.

Seeing the men on the floor groaning in pain, my mother pushed me hard in fury.

"What are you trying to do! Just because Jade and Preston got engaged today, you're going to wreck the party!

"It's Grandpa's birthday! Can't you be mature for once!"

The guests hadn't heard what those men said earlier.

They frowned at me. "You're twenty-five years old. Can you grow up? Preston doesn't like youmaking a scene won't change that!"

Jade's eyes reddened.

"If you really can't handle it, take the ring. Just don't make things difficult for us."

She actually started pulling off her ring.

But Preston grabbed her hand.

"You're that desperate to be with me?

"Make Jade happy first, then I might consider you."

"Preston?"

Jade turned to look at him.

Preston smiled lightly.

"Since she won't leave us alone, might as well use it to our advantage.

"But if she wants me to accept her, she'll have to serve you, the legitimate wife, to your satisfaction first."

Delight flashed in Jade's eyes.

Preston looked at me.

"Do you understand?"

I touched the cheek Preston had just slapped.

Said nothing.

Just stepped forward.

And returned the slap.

My mother grabbed me.

"What are you doing!"

Jade cried out. "Hit me instead! Don't touch him!"

"Hit you?"

I laughed. "A minor character like you isn't worth my effort."

Preston, I looked at him. "As CEO of Nexus, I'm terminating your employment. You don't need to report for work."

"Nexus?"

He froze.

Then sneered. "A lovesick fool like you could work at Nexus?"

Jade looked at me with pity.

"Are you so upset you've lost your mind? It's my fault. Preston and I should have kept the engagement secret. I shouldn't have provoked you."

My mother looked at me with disapproval.

"Nexus is a publicly traded company. If you're going to lie, at least make it believable!"