Too Heavy Roses

On the day Sebastian Hale proposed to me, he built me a rose garden made entirely of gold.

A billion dollars, just because I once said roses were beautiful.

I cried from happiness. The moment I threw my arms around him, I realized his gaze had passed over my shoulder.

It landed on a maid standing in the corner.

Her face was covered in scars.

Only later did I learn her name was Naomi Reed.

She was Sebastians childhood sweetheart.

They had loved each other. They had hated each other.

At their worst, she had cut off half of Sebastians finger with her own hands.

And Sebastian had personally destroyed the face she had once been most proud of.

This was their first reunion after seven years apart.

Sebastian recovered quickly.

He looked at Naomi, his voice cold.

My fiances shoes are dirty. Come wipe them.

Naomi lowered her eyes and obediently knelt before me.

Bit by bit, she wiped the dust from my shoes.

In Sebastians eyes churned emotions I could not understand.

He smiled through gritted teeth.

Naomi Reed.

How did you become this pathetic?

At that moment, looking at the loss of control in his eyes, I suddenly felt exhausted.

So painfully exhausted.

I stood there with the blue diamond ring Sebastian had just placed on my finger.

A billion-dollar rose garden.

A priceless engagement ring.

Sebastian Hale, the most arrogant prince in Manhattans old-money circle, had gone down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

Yet in that moment, I felt like a joke displayed on a stage.

Sebastian finally seemed to notice my silence.

He turned to me, and all those dark, turbulent emotions disappeared from his eyes.

Lily, dont look at her.

Shes no one. Dont dirty your eyes.

As he spoke, he tucked a strand of hair blown loose by the night wind behind my ear.

The movement was gentle and practiced.

If I had not seen him lose control a moment ago, I might have believed again that he only had eyes for me.

Sebastian really was good to me.

So good that everyone said I was the woman he held in the palm of his hand.

I casually said I liked roses, and he truly built me an entire garden of gold roses.

I said my hands got cold in winter, so he had a glass conservatory shipped back from Northern Europe, temperature-controlled at seventy-eight degrees, just so I could look at flowers on snowy days.

His love was grand, dramatic, and also meticulous.

But the better he treated me, the harder it became for me to understand what that look in his eyes had meant when he saw Naomi.

Naomi swayed slightly when she stood.

I clearly felt Sebastians fingers tighten around mine.

But he did not step forward.

He only said coldly, What are you pretending for?

When you cut off my finger seven years ago, you had plenty of strength.

Naomi lifted her head. Her face was terrifyingly pale.

She did not argue.

She only said softly, Mr. Hale, may I leave now?

Sebastian laughed.

Leave?

The show is over, so you want to walk away?

The moment his words fell, Naomis eyes suddenly went dark, and she collapsed straight to the ground.

Everyone cried out.

Before I could react, Sebastian had already let go of my hand and rushed over.

He picked Naomi up too quickly.

So quickly that my hand was still suspended in the air.

The blue diamond flashed under the light.

It seemed to remind me that the words he had just said about marrying me had not yet scattered in the wind.

Sebastian carried Naomi out.

Halfway there, he seemed to suddenly remember me and turned back.

Lily, she fainted.

Ill take her to the hospital. Ill be back soon.

The guests still stood in the golden rose garden.

Their whispers pricked my ears like needles.

Some even quietly raised their phones, camera lenses aimed at my pale face.

Sebastians assistant came over, forcing himself to clean up the mess.

Miss Morgan, Mr. Hale said you should rest in your room first.

Well handle the guests tonight.

I did not return to my room.

Silently, I followed.

I wanted to see with my own eyes how far Sebastian would lose control for Naomi.

When I found Sebastian in the hospital corridor, an hour had passed.

As I approached, I heard Naomis weak voice from inside the ward.

Ill pay back the medical bills later.

Sebastian sneered.

Of course you will.

Did you think Id still be like before, feeling sorry for you and paying every bill?

Naomi Reed, your life is worth nothing to me now.

His tone was cruel.

But standing at the door, I only felt a sour ache in my chest.

Because his mouth said he did not care, yet he had personally waited outside the emergency room.

When the doctor came out, Sebastians first question was:

Why did she faint?

The doctor glanced at the test results.

Long-term malnutrition. Severe anemia.

And some old injuries that were never properly treated.

Her family should pay more attention.

Family.

The moment that word fell, Sebastians expression turned icy.

Im not her family.

That was what he said.

But when Sebastian stood, he still instinctively looked toward the ward.

As if afraid she might really die inside.

I suddenly felt tired.

Sebastian saw me and froze.

All that coldness vanished from his face at once.

He walked to me and reached out as if to hold me.

Lily.

I wronged you today.

His voice softened, carrying the guilt and tenderness I knew so well.

I was only afraid she would die at the proposal banquet and ruin your place.

I dont feel anything else for her.

Trust me, okay?

I looked into his eyes.

There was apology there. Concern. Care for me.

All real.

But the panic in him when he picked Naomi up was real too.

I asked softly, Sebastian, do you hate her?

He was silent for a few seconds.

Then he smiled.

Yes.

I hate her so much I want her kneeling before me for the rest of her life, never able to lift her head again.

Lily, the person I love is you.

I will marry you.

He held my hand, his thumb rubbing over the ring.

The dignity you lost tonight, Ill repay tenfold.

Tomorrow, Ill have every media outlet pull their drafts.

Anyone who dares say one word will disappear from this circle.

When he said these things, his tone was calm, powerful, certain.

The same way he had defended me countless times before.

But just then, something shattered inside the ward.

Naomis panicked voice rang out.

Dont touch that!

Sebastian turned back almost instinctively.

A young nurse ran out of the ward holding a photo wrinkled with blood.

Im sorry. I was just trying to help organize the patients bag.

She reacted too strongly.

The photo fell to the floor.

It slid right to Sebastians and my feet.

In the picture was a little boy, about five or six years old.

His brows and eyes looked exactly like Sebastians.

Sebastian stared at that photo, his eyes turning red in an instant.

Whose child is he?

At last, a little moisture appeared in Naomis eyes.

Sebastian Hale, dont you hate me?

Dont you hate me so much you want me kneeling before you forever?

Now that you know theres a child, why are you pretending to be so devoted?

Sebastian shoved her hard against the wall.

Why didnt you just die?

Naomi Reed, why didnt you die out there back then?

Why did you have to come back and disturb my life now?

The moment those words fell, I stood in the corridor, my fingertips turning cold bit by bit.

So in Sebastians heart, everything between us could be disturbed so easily by Naomis name.

Naomi looked up at him and suddenly smiled.

Then why were your hands shaking when you saw me?

When you carried me to the hospital, why did you run so fast?

Do you dare say youre really over me?

Sebastians expression turned terrifying.

Shut up!

Naomi suddenly rose on her toes and kissed him.

In that instant, Sebastian went completely stiff.

I stood there and clearly saw his hand lift.

As if he meant to push her away.

But in the end, he did not move.

Naomi slowly opened her eyes and looked past Sebastians shoulder at me.

There was a nearly cruel challenge in her gaze.

My stomach churned.

I no longer had the courage to look for even one more second.

I fled the hospital in a mess.

When I got home, I started packing.

My friend Paige stayed beside me, so anxious her eyes were red.

Lily, are you really leaving?

I placed my clothes into the suitcase one by one, my voice calm.

Yes. Im tired.

Paige wanted to say something else.

Then her phone suddenly buzzed.

She looked down, and her expression changed instantly.

On the screen was a video someone had sent from a bar.

In the video, Sebastian sat in the innermost booth, eyes heavy with alcohol.

A friend beside him sighed.

Sebastian, what the hell are you doing?

You spent half a year preparing that gold rose garden.

You clearly treasure Lily like shes your life.

But tonight, in front of everyone, you abandoned her and carried Naomi away.

Sebastian said nothing, only poured drink after drink down his throat.

Are you still not over Naomi?

Sebastian suddenly sneered.

Not over her?

She cut off half my finger with her own hands.

I ruined that face of hers myself.

I want her to rot in the mud.

His friend was silent for a few seconds.

But when she kissed you, you didnt push her away.

Sebastian slammed his glass onto the table.

I slapped her.

I told her to get out.

I told her the woman I love now is Lily.

His voice suddenly lowered.

I love Lily.

I love her beyond saving.

She wanted roses, so I built her a garden of gold.

Shes afraid of pain, and I cant even bear to see her frown.

She is the woman Im going to marry in this life.

His friend looked at him.

Then what about Naomi?

Sebastian lowered his head and laughed like a madman.

I dont know.

The moment I see her, I lose control for no damn reason.

When she kneels, I get angry.

When she obeys, I get angry.

When she doesnt hate me, I get even angrier.

I clearly want her to hurt, but when she really fainted, I was afraid shed die.

At this point, he suddenly covered his face.

Am I insane?

His friend tested, Then what if Naomi has a new boyfriend too?

Sebastian lifted his head, his eyes blood-red.

Ill kill that man.

The video fell silent there.

I sat on the edge of the bed and suddenly smiled.

But as I smiled, my eyes grew hot.

So this was what Sebastian called hate.

Maybe it was true that he loved me.

It was true that he spent a billion on me, defended my dignity, and paved a glittering future for me.

But all Naomi had to do was stand there.

And he would lose control.

He could say he loved me beyond saving.

And at the same time, the thought of another woman having a new life could make him want to kill.

I suddenly felt a deep sourness.

Not jealousy.

Not anger.

Just bitterness.

Like I had finally understood that no matter how much I was loved, I could never defeat the violent old wound between them.

But Sebastian and I had also had three sweet years together.

I closed the video and continued packing.

Paige asked quietly, Lily, are you okay?

I smiled.

Im fine.

At least I found out now, not after the wedding.

The video had not finished.

In the last few seconds, Sebastian suddenly stood, his voice hoarse.

Im done drinking.

Im going back to coax Lily to sleep.

Shes timid. She cant sleep without me.

I watched him stagger out of the bar on the screen.

And suddenly remembered so many nights.

I would wake from nightmares, and Sebastian would pull me into his arms, patting my back again and again.

Lily, dont be scared.

Im here.

Back then, I thought he would always be there.

Now I knew that his being there could vanish at any moment, as long as Naomi appeared.

I zipped up the suitcase.

Paige, take me to the airport.

Before leaving, I looked one last time at the gold rose garden outside the window.

Moonlight fell on the golden petals.

It was beautiful like an expensive illusion.

I did not look again.

When Sebastian rushed back, the bedroom was empty.

On the nightstand, only the blue diamond ring he had placed on my finger remained.

Beneath it was a note I had left.

There was only one sentence.

Sebastian, the rose garden is too heavy.

I dont want it.

And I dont want you either.

On the way to the airport, Paige held my hand the entire time.

Lily, once youre abroad, dont look back.

I watched the night scenery retreat beyond the car window and hummed softly.

Sebastians calls came in again and again.

I did not answer.

But when the car reached the mountain road, a black van suddenly cut across in front of us.

The next second, the car door was yanked open from outside.

A sharp chemical smell covered my mouth and nose.

When I woke again, the sound of roaring wind filled my ears.

I was tied up at the edge of a cliff.

Not far from me, Naomi was tied up too.

There was no panic on her face.

Instead, she looked at me calmly, with a faint mocking smile in her eyes.

Want to see who Sebastian really chooses?

Havent you always believed he loves you?

A billion-dollar rose garden. A blue diamond ring. The fiance of Manhattans crown prince.

Can any of those compare to this face he destroyed?

The wind stung my eyes.

I looked at Naomi and suddenly asked, So you deliberately let him see the child too?

Naomi smiled and did not deny it.

Before long, the sound of a car came from afar.

When Sebastian arrived, his tie was crooked, and his coat was half-thrown on.

The moment he got out of the car, his gaze crossed over me first.

It landed on Naomi.

With just that one look, I suddenly laughed.

So when a heart truly dies, it no longer hurts.

It only thinks, of course.

Sebastian quickly looked toward me, his voice tight.

Lily!

He took one step forward, and the kidnapper immediately pressed a knife to the rope.

Mr. Hale, dont move.

You can only choose one.

Sebastians expression changed.

Ill pay you. Whatever amount you want.

The kidnapper laughed.

We dont need money.

Today, we only want to see Mr. Hale choose.

The wind at the cliff edge was fierce.

Sebastian stood there, his eyes violently unsettled.

He looked at me, then at Naomi.

I saw him struggle.

I saw him hesitate.

I saw his throat move again and again.

Naomi suddenly began to cry.

Sebastian

The water below is so fast. I cant swim.

Ill die.

Sebastians face changed sharply.

Naomi continued, Do you remember?

Back then, when I nearly drowned, you pulled me out with your own hands.

You said that even if one day you hated me, you still wouldnt let me die in water.

Her tears rolled down along her scars.

We also have a child.

The child I gave you.

Hes already spent five years without his father.

Can you really bear to make him lose his mother now too?

Sebastian closed his eyes.

In that moment, I finally knew the answer.

He turned to look at me.

His eyes were full of pain and apology.

Lily.

My chest was terrifyingly calm.

Sebastians voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible.

You can swim.

You won swimming competitions when you were little.

Ill save Naomi first.

Ill come back for you right away.

I looked at him and suddenly remembered what he said on the day he proposed.

Lily, from now on, whatever you want, Ill give it to you.

It turned out all I wanted was to be chosen firmly, just once.

And he could not give me that.

I smiled faintly.

Sebastian.

From today on, you never have to choose me again.

His face went white.

Lily

But Naomi suddenly laughed.

The sound was not loud, but Sebastian froze.

She lifted her head, tears still hanging on her face, yet there was not a trace of fear in her eyes.

Sebastian.

The kidnappers are mine.

I only wanted you to see clearly.

To see who is really in your heart.

Look. You still chose me.

Sebastian looked as if he had been struck by lightning.

Are you insane?

Naomi looked at him, her voice light as a sigh.

Yes.

I went insane seven years ago when you ruined my face.

Sebastian Hale, if I cant live well, neither can you.

Sebastian lunged forward.

Let Lily go!

But it was too late.

Naomi suddenly leaned toward me.

Her movement looked panicked, but her shoulder struck my arm with perfect accuracy.

My feet were already at the cliffs edge.

That hit made me lose my balance.

Wind rushed past my ears.

As I fell, I saw Sebastian throw himself toward the cliff edge like a madman.

Lily!