The Orphan He Never Loved

I was an orphan saved by Ethan Reed.

He cherished me, adored me, made me the most envied girl in the city---yet he never married me.

That day, I overheard him talking to his best friend about me.

His tone was indifferent.

She's just an orphan with no status. How could I possibly marry her?

At his grand wedding to a high-society woman, my uncle arranged for me to marry far away.

I got into the car leaving town.

That day, he abandoned everything and chased after me, just to tell me---he regretted it.

"Clara, I promise you. I'll marry him."

When I calmly made this decision, Clara froze.

She gripped my hand tightly.

"Sophia, are you sure about this?"

I nodded gently.

"It's what I want. I'm not planning to marry Ethan Reed anymore."

I understood why Clara was shocked.

I'd been frail and sickly since childhood.

William and Clara took pity on me and kept me by their side, never pressuring me about marriage.

But now I was almost twenty-five.

In this city, if I couldn't marry my childhood sweetheart Ethan Reed, everyone would see me as a spinster who'd aimed too high and ended up with nothing.

But after how he treated me publicly, not only would no one in the entire city dare marry me---I'd become a laughingstock behind closed doors.

Leaving this city was the only dignified way out.

I lowered my head, accidentally cutting my finger on a piece of fruit.

Blood dripped onto the floor, a dull ache spreading.

Clara sighed.

"If Ethan Reed isn't the right man, then we won't marry him."

My thoughts drifted.

Was Ethan Reed really not the right man?

No.

He just wasn't the right man for me.

That year, my father and brother died on duty.

My mother followed them in grief.

William and Clara took me in.

They never touched my family's death benefits or inheritance---they only hoped to find me a good future.

One day, I went out alone to choose a birthday gift for Clara.

A criminal dragged me into a dead-end alley.

At that critical moment, Ethan Reed happened to be on leave from the military.

He drove past the alley entrance and rescued me from the criminal just in time, subduing him.

"Miss, are you okay?"

I'll never forget that day.

The young man reached out his hand to my terrified self, a smile slowly spreading across his eyes.

Ethan Reed fixed my disheveled hair and personally took me home.

"Sophia, from now on, I'll be by your side. No one will dare bully you again."

He pitied me for losing both parents and being sickly.

From that day on, he often stayed by my side, bringing me all kinds of novel gifts, making me happy.

On my fourteenth birthday, he personally gave me a necklace he designed himself.

The pendant was engraved with both our names.

The seeds of young love quietly sprouted day by day.

I even took it for granted that Ethan Reed was my destined person.

I once tentatively asked him what would happen if I couldn't find the right person when I came of age.

He answered without hesitation.

"So what? I'll just marry you then."

I believed him.

I kept those words in my heart.

Under Ethan Reed's protection, he pampered me into the most enviable girl in the city.

After I came of age, I had plenty of suitors, but William politely declined them all.

At a family banquet, William turned away those who came asking about me.

"My Sophia is still young and doesn't understand anything. Please forgive us."

Ethan Reed, usually casual and easygoing, laughed heartily.

"Not at all. Didn't Sophia just make that kind of joke in front of me the other day?"

The whole table fell silent.

I gripped my fork tightly, my face burning.

That time when we were alone together, I'd blurted out something flirtatious without thinking.

That kind of private joke was now being aired publicly at the dinner table.

A girl from a scholarly family leaving such a frivolous impression---everyone assumed Ethan Reed would definitely marry me.

Gradually no one came asking anymore.

Even William almost tacitly approved of this marriage, allowing him in and out of the house like family.

I kept waiting.

The first year, he was new to the military.

He promised to propose to my parents once he achieved something.

The second year, he became an officer.

He promised to give me the best of everything once he was stable.

The third year, he received his military rank.

He said when he returned, he'd marry me as his only wife.

By the sixth year, that young man who once fixed my hair had grown into a valiant, distinguished soldier.

He was stationed at the border year-round on missions.

Each time he returned, he'd come see me first.

But after returning from the border that time, there was no word from him for ages.

I waited joyfully for him to fulfill his promise, but he never came.

Until Isabella Sullivan appeared.

On a bridge by the lake on a drizzly day, I witnessed Ethan Reed personally fastening a pendant to her bag.

The next moment, he took the woman's hand of his own accord.

My mind went hot.

I rushed forward without thinking.

"What are you doing?"

I angrily snatched the object from his hand.

The pendant fell to the ground.

In an instant, it shattered to pieces.

Isabella Sullivan looked shocked, staring at the fragments on the ground with heartache.

"Sophia, I know you're upset. I wouldn't have minded if you wanted this pendant for yourself, but why did you have to smash it?"

On the crowded bridge, many people stopped to watch.

Ethan Reed's face instantly stiffened.

"Ethan Reed, you said you'd marry me."

My voice trembled, gradually taking on a tearful tone.

"That you'd only be good to me."

But Ethan Reed looked at me with unfamiliar eyes, frowning.

"What man would dare want a woman as tactless as you!"

I stood frozen, watching helplessly as he left with Isabella Sullivan in his arms.

The crowd murmured among themselves.

"Didn't Ethan Reed say he'd marry Sophia? How can he humiliate her publicly like this?"

"What else? Ethan Reed has a bright future. Sophia was obviously the one throwing herself at him this whole time."

"Tsk tsk, but Sophia's nearly an old maid now. If Ethan Reed doesn't want her, probably only divorced men would marry her."

In that moment, my whole body trembled.

The buzzing murmurs around me felt like sharp knives stabbing into my heart, one after another.

I ran home crying.

I fell while running and scraped my arm.

That Ethan Reed who once said he'd always protect me had become the very person who hurt me.

When my best friend found me at the alley entrance that day, she said I looked completely lost, unsteady on my feet, and it terrified her.

She cried tears of heartache.

"Ethan Reed used to care about you so much... how did it come to this?"

But I was like a walking corpse then---where would my soul be?

I had a high fever and fell seriously ill.

When I woke up, the first thing I did was ask through blurred, teary eyes:

"Did he come?"

While I was unconscious, Ethan Reed had come once but was turned away at the door.

He only said he'd wronged me and would come apologize properly once I recovered.

My best friend hesitated a long time before telling me.

It turned out he'd already sought his superior's approval and would soon marry the daughter of a high-ranking official---Isabella Sullivan.

They'd known each other since university.

Even their professors praised their relationship.

Word had spread throughout the social circle.

No one envied me anymore.

Everyone praised what a perfect match they were.

As for me, there was only pity or mockery---just a pathetic fool who'd loved in vain.

During that time, one of William's old friends from out of town came to visit and heard about my situation.

That friend was well-off.

His son Ryan Ford was young and accomplished, having taken over the family business with considerable assets in this area.

William told me privately that Ryan Ford had seen my photo and felt we'd get along well.

If I didn't mind, we could get to know each other.

If we got along, we could date.

If not, no pressure.

William sighed.

"Sophia, if you're unwilling, next month you'll probably have to marry just anyone. I'm afraid you'll end up with the wrong person."

I clenched my hands slightly.

I'd thought about leaving this city, but going to a strange place alone to start over---I didn't know if I could even stand on my own feet.

Besides, William's family had sheltered me as I grew up.

I couldn't let them keep worrying about me.

"I'll follow William's decision."

And so, with the arrangement of both families, Ryan Ford made a special trip from out of town to meet me.

We met a few times.

He didn't talk much, but he was sincere and dependable in his actions.

He said there was no rush---to take my time considering.

I didn't need long to agree.

Not because I particularly liked him, but because I was tired.

I didn't want to wait anymore.

On the day I was leaving, I looked at the roomful of jewelry, clothes, and ornate wedding garments, yet felt nothing.

I'd imagined countless times what I'd look like in a wedding dress, marrying Ethan Reed.

Only now did I understand it had all been a foolish dream.

Leaving here, perhaps this heartbreak would finally end.

On this day, Ethan Reed brought Isabella Sullivan to apologize in person, bringing many expensive gifts.

William coldly refused and had someone throw those gifts out.

"Ethan Reed, are you bullying Sophia because she's alone in the world? Or do you think there's no one behind her?"

Ethan Reed lowered his head.

"I apologize."

Then, in front of everyone, he said to me directly:

"Sophia, we've been childhood friends for years. When we were young and naive, we mistakenly thought we could promise each other forever. Now I understand it was just sibling affection."

"From now on, I'll still treat you as a sister. Let's end those childhood promises here."

I stopped William, who was about to lose his temper.

I walked step by step to Ethan Reed, without the tears everyone expected.

Instead, I took a glass of wine for myself and handed him one.

It was fruit wine we'd brewed together before.

That time he said we'd drink it together when he returned.

I never thought I'd wait years.

"Ethan Reed, after we drink this wine, our promise is canceled. Our childhood friendship ends here too. I wish you success in all things and happiness."

His expression was complex.

He took the wine glass and drained it, saying quietly:

"Thank you. I hope Sophia also finds the right person soon and a better future."

Perhaps he was thanking me for not clinging to him, thanking me for letting him go.

Back in my room, my best friend couldn't help but tear up.

"Sophia, how can you accept Ethan Reed's change of heart so easily? You loved him so much..."

Because I'd been obsessed too, had fantasies too.

In the end, I knew his heart had changed.

Since I knew the outcome, better to let go with pain and keep what dignity remained.

"I'm the one who doesn't want him anymore."

I looked toward the falling yellow leaves outside the window, my vision gradually blurring.

At the banquet, William sighed deeply.

"No matter what, I watched you and Sophia grow up together. This is the last drink. Once you're married, don't keep in contact anymore."

"Thank you, William, for understanding."

Ethan Reed brought me a food box.

He wanted to open it himself, but after hesitating, he stopped.

Isabella Sullivan beside him took it over.

"I remember you loves cake. I had Isabella Sullivan make some specially for you."

He used to know I loved all kinds of pastries.

He'd always find different shops and bring them to me like treasures.

I never told him that eating too many gave me toothaches.

I'd secretly endure it, carefully storing those sweet-as-honey pastries in a box.

With that storage, I'd hidden away the only sweetness of half my life.

Isabella Sullivan picked up a piece and held it to me, her smile meaningful.

"Sophia ate pastries from Ethan Reed for so many years. You won't be able to anymore, so you should get used to new flavors. Try my cooking."

I couldn't refuse.

I politely took it and bit down.

But the filling was unbearably sour and bitter, hard to swallow.

I knew she was making a point.

"Is it good?"

Isabella Sullivan asked with a smile.

I forced down the sourness in my throat and shook my head gently.

"Sweets hurt the stomach. I was ignorant and greedy as a child. I stopped liking them long ago."

Hearing me say this, Isabella Sullivan affectionately took my hand.

"Sophia's reached marriageable age. When there's time, I'll take you to parties to look around. Pick any excellent young man you like, so you won't be so narrow-minded, fixating on just one person."

Ethan Reed only glanced at me indifferently.

"No rush. Sophia deserves better. Take your time choosing."

After several rounds of drinks, I sat restlessly and quietly left the table.

The last pool of lotus flowers in the back garden had withered.

Autumn rain on faded lotuses looked especially desolate and beautiful.

In the past, every autumn, the dead leaves would all be pulled out.

Once when Ethan Reed came, he stopped this, smiling and saying to me:

"Why pull them all out so cleanly?"

I remembered every word he said.

From then on, the lotus flowers in my pool bloomed every year and faded in autumn.

I never let anyone remove them.

This time, my best friend asked me, "Sophia, should we keep these dead leaves?"

I shook my head.

"No need to keep them anymore."

After all, the person who listened to the rain and admired the lotuses with me was already gone.

As I stared lost in thought, Isabella Sullivan had quietly walked up behind me.

"Is Sophia using the scenery to express her feelings and ease her grievances?"

"But I must remind you---Ethan doesn't love you at all."

"In this world, only feelings cannot be forced."

I looked at her smugness and shook my head gently.

"I have no intention of competing with you. Ethan Reed and I have nothing to do with each other anymore."

Isabella Sullivan's smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Really? But only by making him detest you will you truly be free."

She suddenly leaned close to my ear and whispered:

"That day you broke my love token. Today I'll show you the price you have to pay."

Isabella Sullivan grabbed my wrist and used my strength to push hard.

The pool water in early autumn carried threads of cold air.

Isabella Sullivan fell in with a splash.

I stood there at a loss.

At that moment, Ethan Reed happened to come out from the front hall and saw this scene.

He jumped in without hesitation, desperately pulling Isabella Sullivan out.

He lifted his dripping face, furious.

"Sophia, haven't you made enough of a scene?"

"Even if I weren't marrying Isabella, I could never marry you. Stop having foolish fantasies!"

As clever as he was, how could he not distinguish Isabella Sullivan's clumsy trick?

But no matter how I tried to explain, he only believed what he wanted to believe.

My best friend's voice changed pitch in her anxiety:

"Isabella Sullivan was the one who went crazy and jumped in the water herself! Why are you blaming our Sophia?"

Ethan Reed only said coldly:

"You're her best friend. Of course you'd speak for her."

He ordered someone to call a doctor.

When he lowered his head and pressed his forehead tightly against Isabella Sullivan's, everything went quiet.

The thread I'd held onto for so long quietly snapped.

I thought when I saw all this with my own eyes, it wouldn't hurt anymore.

In reality, it wasn't up to me at all.

The pain was still sharp.

When everyone rushed anxiously to check on Isabella Sullivan, I gripped my best friend's hand.

"Sophia, how can they all not believe you?"

"It doesn't matter anymore. Did you pack up all my things?"

My best friend nodded vigorously.

I took all the things Ethan Reed had given me, sprinkled them with powder, and personally burned them in the back garden.

In the flickering firelight, I watched the flames devour the paper kites and paintings, smiling with relief.

Ethan Reed, I don't have to love you anymore.

By coincidence, Ethan Reed and Isabella Sullivan's wedding was also set for the third of next month.

The entire city was lively with celebration.

On their wedding day, I got into Ryan Ford's car that came to pick me up and quietly left the city.

I looked at the streets behind me, red silk everywhere, and rolled down the window.