After leaving him, he begged me to come back

The year the Fabian family was on the brink of bankruptcy, my father treated marriage as a transaction and married me off to Fabian.

At the time, I did not know that Fabian already had someone in his heart, a childhood sweetheart who had nearly become his wife.

Later, my father was dragged into a workplace sexual harassment scandal, and the company teetered on the edge of collapse.

It was then that Fabian brought Thalia back home, saying he wanted to compensate her with a grand wedding.

I did not cry. I did not make a scene. I simply began packing my luggage in silence.

Fabian stood to the side, watching me with a cold laugh.

Stop playing those childish games of feigned retreat, he said. Do you really think you are still the eldest daughter of the Yvette family?

Fabian did not know that I still had the divorce agreement he had written with his own hand while drunk.

In seven days, my father and I would be leaving the country.

On the day my father was reassigned by the group to an overseas branch, Fabian brought his newly divorced first love back into the house.

Fabian stood at the door of my room, his expression indifferent, his tone as casual as if he were announcing something utterly ordinary.

Next week, I will have Thalia move in.

He paused, then added, I have owed her too much over the years. No matter what you think, you will have to accept it.

My fathers scandal had only just been exposed. He had barely warmed the presidents seat before being forced to step down.

Yet Fabian could not wait even a single extra day.

I looked up at him.

Fabians eyes were as cold as a lake sealed by winter, without the slightest ripple.

After three years of marriage, I had never once entered Fabians heart.

I turned my face away in a hurry, afraid my emotions might slip out of control.

Alright, I said softly.

In any case, I would be leaving soon.

Who Fabian chose to bring home no longer had anything to do with me.

Fabian seemed slightly surprised.

His lips moved, but in the end he said nothing.

He had always been a man of few words with me.

After Fabian left, I opened the safe and pulled out a stack of documents from the very bottom of my jewelry box.

It was the divorce agreement Fabian had written with his own hand three years ago.

It bore his signature, along with his fingerprint pressed beside it.

All that remained was a stamp from the civil affairs office, and Fabian and I would be completely unrelated.

At that business banquet three years ago, I had fallen for Fabian at first sight.

He stood at the center of the crowd, refined features, calm bearing, drawing almost every gaze the moment one looked his way.

Less than three days later, news spread that the Fabian family intended to form a marriage alliance.

I thought it was fate.

It was only later that someone told me Thalia was getting married.

That night, Fabian drank himself into a stupor.

I cooked him some sobering soup and carried it into the study.

Fabian lay slumped over the desk, his eyes red, calling out softly.

Yvette.

My heart warmed, and I hurried toward him.

The next second, Fabian grabbed the glass on the desk and smashed it violently onto the floor.

Shards scattered in all directions.

I stumbled back two steps in shock.

Fabian, who had always been gentle and well mannered, looked like a completely different person at that moment.

He clenched his teeth, his voice filled with barely restrained hatred.

Yvette, this is all because of you.

If you had not set your sights on me, if you had not had a father who was a CEO.

How would I have been forced to marry you? How would I have had to watch Thalia marry someone else with my own eyes?

Only then did I finally understand.

The happy marriage I believed in had been nothing more than a delusion on my part.

It felt as if something were lodged in my chest, unable to rise or sink.

The pressure forced tears to fall one by one.

Fabian staggered to his feet, grabbed a pen, scribbled his signature on the divorce agreement, then pressed down his fingerprint.

He tossed the paper casually in front of me.

I want a divorce.

I am bringing Thalia home.

He was drunk and barely conscious, yet those were the truest words in his heart.

Suppressing my trembling, I said softly, You are drunk. We will talk when you are sober.

With that, I bent down, picked up the paper, and turned to leave.

The moment the door closed, my tears completely lost control.

The night wind was cold, yet it could not blow away the pain in my heart.

The next day, after Fabian sobered up, he returned to his usual polite and restrained self.

He did not mention Thalia.

Nor did he mention the divorce.

It was as if none of it had ever happened.

I pressed the agreement to the very bottom of my dressing table.

I lied to myself, telling myself that Thalias marriage had only just begun, and that Fabian and I might still have a chance.

Reality soon slapped me hard in the face.

Thalias marriage was unhappy.

Two months ago, Fabian personally found the most professional lawyers for her and helped her file for divorce.

Worried that Thalia was alone and helpless, Fabian brought her back to Jiangcheng to settle her down.

Now, he even intended to have Thalia move into the Fabian family home.

I was in the middle of sorting through my assets.

When I married, my father had given me a dowry worth eighty million.

Now I had to itemize everything, liquidate it as quickly as possible, and help the company survive the crisis.

When Fabian pushed the door open, I had just put away my phone and stood up.

Thalia wants this room, Fabian said. You move out.

His tone was cold and left no room for refusal.

After we got married, Fabian often worked late into the night.

He said he was afraid of disturbing my rest and had me move out of the master bedroom.

The room I was in now was the closest to Fabians bedroom.

The balcony overflowed with flowers, filled with roses Fabian had planted himself. On one side of the terrace stood the swing from our newlywed days.

Thalia hid slightly behind Fabian, cautiously peeking out.

Her eyes, tinged with admiration, swept back and forth across the room.

I lifted my gaze. This was the first time I had ever refused Fabian.

No, I said. The house is so big. It is not as if there is nowhere else to live. Why must it be this room?

Thalia gently tugged at Fabians sleeve, her expression a little aggrieved.

Fabians face darkened instantly.

Because Thalia likes it. These roses were meant for her from the beginning.

So this place had never belonged to me at all.

Thalia smiled at me.

Her smile was gentle and proper, like the roses in full bloom on the balcony.

I looked at Thalia once.

The next second, Fabian immediately pulled her behind him, his tone cold and forceful.

You will move out today.

Be obedient, and do not make things difficult for everyone.

I lowered my eyes and answered softly, Alright.

My father had already fallen from power, the company was in crisis, and my greatest support was gone.

Fabian no longer needed to be courteous to me.

Before evening, I moved into the most remote guest room.

After that, I gathered all the jewelry and handbags Fabian had given me over the years and went to a luxury resale store.

I used to shop there often.

So the moment Riley saw me, she smiled and led me straight into the VIP room.

I placed the items on the table one by one.

The first thing that caught the eye was the engagement ring.

That year, Fabians company was on the brink of bankruptcy. He had spent almost all his savings to buy me this diamond ring, not particularly large, but once precious.

The second item was a Cartier bracelet Fabian gave me after his company went public.

The third was a Tiffany necklace he bought to apologize after a drunken outburst.

Back then, I loved wearing that necklace to see Fabian.

The crystal pendant shimmered in the sunlight. Fabian would smile, pull me into his arms, and say I was lively and adorable, different from those reserved girls.

Riley widened her eyes and hesitated before asking, These were all gifts from President Shen a few years ago. Are you sure you want to sell them?

Yes.

She carefully inspected everything and finally gave me a price.

I nodded in agreement.

After receiving the transfer, I turned and left.

Outside, it was lively and bustling.

I heard Fabians indulgent voice nearby. Do you like this necklace?

Thalia answered shyly, I do.

Fabian did not hesitate and swiped his card to buy it.

As he paid, Fabian looked up and saw me, a trace of surprise flickering through his gaze.

His eyes fell on my empty finger.

The ring I never took off was gone.

Fabian set down the card, reached out, grabbed my hand, and stared at me. Yvette, where is your ring?

I turned my face away, avoiding his gaze. I am not wearing it.

Fabians expression darkened instantly. His grip tightened, the pain making me frown.

Thalia quickly held his wrist and called softly, Fabian.

Only then did Fabian seem to come back to himself. He loosened his hand, then smiled at Thalia with a hint of distraction. I lost my composure just now.

Under the strange looks of the people around us, I left alone.

Six days before I was to leave the Fabian family.

I was in my room organizing documents by myself.

My mother in law sent someone to summon me, saying she wanted me to move out of the Fabian family as soon as possible.

I used the excuse that I still had matters to handle and declined politely.

Her expression changed at once. In front of the servants, she scolded me sharply.

Married for three years and not a single sign of pregnancy. Am I not allowed to let my son find someone else?

I lowered my head and replied calmly, Of course you can. You only need your son to agree to divorce me first.

Fabian marrying his first love had nothing to do with me.

After all, the divorce agreement had been signed long ago.

All that remained was to collect the divorce certificate.

I had no interest in arguing further and brushed off the conversation.

On my way back to the room, I saw Fabian again.

He was wearing a white shirt, tall and straight, accompanying Thalia for afternoon tea on the terrace.

Thalia wore the newly bought diamond necklace, smiling as she poured coffee for Fabian.

As she bent down, the necklace reflected dazzling light under the sun.

Hot coffee was poured into fine bone china cups. Their gazes intertwined through the rising steam.

Fabian always said he was busy with work.

He had never once done something like this with me.

I turned away in a hurry and went back to my room.

Yet my thoughts refused to settle.

I flipped through several pages of documents in my hands, but not a single word registered.

That one glance of infatuation in my youth had trapped me for three full years.

Only now did I finally see clearly.

To Fabian, I had only ever been a performance played for appearances.

To Thalia, he gave his genuine heart.

I stared at the documents for a long time, until my secretary Xiaoxue knocked on the door and brought in the asset inventory list.

Madam, everything has been checked, she said. Aside from the portion invested in the company, a few pieces of jewelry are missing.

I looked up sharply. Which ones?

My dowry from my parents had been extensive. Even I could not remember it all clearly.

Xiaoxue hesitated before answering, A diamond necklace, and a wedding dress.

The diamond necklace.

I suddenly remembered seeing it around Thalias neck just moments ago.

I stormed straight into Thalias room.

She was standing in front of a full length mirror, trying on the wedding dress.

It was the one my mother had personally designed for me, the only one of its kind in the world.

There were only six days left until Thalia and Fabians wedding.

So rushed.

Only then did I realize that Fabian had long arranged all of this in secret.

What I had not expected was that Thalia would dare to put on that dress.

Anger made my entire body tremble. I stepped forward and grabbed the hem of the gown.

The delicate lace tore apart. Pearls scattered across the floor, rolling away with crisp sounds.

I pulled hard at the skirt until the fabric gave off a harsh ripping sound.

Thalia curled up in pain, forced to bend over, her voice shaking. I was wrong. I will take it off right now.

I clenched the wedding dress tightly and stared at Thalia with cold eyes.

She lost her balance in front of the mirror and fell heavily to the floor.

The gown was in complete disarray. A large section of the skirt was torn open, pearls and lace strewn everywhere.

Thalia sat on the floor in a miserable state, tears filling her eyes as she looked at me, her tone aggrieved and fragile.

Miss Jiang, if you wanted me to take it off, you could have just said so. Why did you have to use force?

My face was cold as I nudged her lightly with the tip of my shoe.

You stole my wedding dress and still dare to talk back?

Thalia lowered her head and simply cried, like a little white flower wronged beyond measure.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded behind us.

Fabian rushed in, pushed me aside, and pulled Thalia into his arms.

I stumbled back two steps and instinctively grabbed the dressing table beside me, barely managing to steady myself.

The wedding dress slipped from my hands and fell to the floor, already ruined beyond repair.

Fabian looked at me, his eyes filled with disgust and unfamiliarity, as if I were someone he had never known.

Yvette, I already told you. I only wanted to make up for past regrets. Why must you make things difficult for her?

A ball of fire lodged in my chest, leaving me unable to speak for a long while.

Only after some time did I force out a sentence with difficulty.

That was the wedding dress my mother designed by hand.

Fabians voice was icy. It is just a piece of clothing. What difference does it make to lend it to her for a few days?

You would rather tear it apart than let someone borrow it?

Do you still think you are the eldest daughter of the Yvette family? Know when to stop.

I stood there, unmoving.

It was clearly the season of blooming spring, yet I felt cold all over.

Fabian always knew exactly where to strike to hurt me most.

That wedding dress could never be worn again.

Thalia leaned against Fabian, frowned slightly, and glanced at the ruined dress on the floor, a trace of disdain flashing through her eyes.

Fabian immediately softened his tone to comfort her.

Do not worry. I will order a new one right away. It will definitely be ready in time for the wedding.

I bent down, picked up the tattered wedding dress, and left in silence.

It felt as if someone were gripping my chest tightly, the pain so intense I could barely breathe.

Just endure a few more days. Once the procedures are done, I will leave.

I converted most of my dowry jewelry and properties into cash and stored it away properly.

Fabian ignored me the entire day and only appeared in the evening.

He told me that my father had been reassigned to an overseas branch and would be leaving in three days. My mother would accompany him.

Fabian stood at the doorway, backlit, his handsome face half hidden in shadow.

Yvette, if you had not married me, you would already be a fallen heiress by now.

I have said it before. What I have with Thalia is only a formality, a way to make up for past regrets.

Your position as Mrs Fabian will not be shaken.

I remained silent.

Had I not fallen for Fabian at first sight back then, had my family formed a marriage alliance with another Jiangcheng elite family instead, I would not have ended up in such a situation, forced to endure these humiliations.

Seeing that I did not speak, Fabian pulled a diamond ring from his pocket and threw it heavily onto the dressing table.

You lied to me and secretly sold it.

He bit down hard on the word lied, his anger unmistakable.

I replied calmly, If I no longer want it and sold it, what is the problem?

Fabian frowned deeply. The secretary said you have been selling off a lot of your dowry lately.

He stared at me, his gaze sharp and oppressive.

You do not wear jewelry and you do not attend social events. What do you need so much money for?

I met Fabians gaze steadily. My father has been transferred. The overseas journey is long, and many things require arrangements.

That was not entirely untrue.

Fabian threw the items I had sold onto the dressing table one by one. Jewelry clashed against each other, producing crisp sounds.

His expression darkened. Everything I gave you, you sold it all.

Yvette, are you trying to spite me?

I lowered my head and organized the necklaces, placing them into the jewelry box one by one.

With a soft click, the lid closed.

I could take them abroad and sell them later. Fabian would not be able to control things that far away.

I said softly, No.

I was not acting out of spite.

The things Fabian gave me had long since lost their meaning.

Fabian sneered. Thalia is the one I was meant to spend my life with. You are not qualified to be jealous of her.

I replied numbly, I know. Then let us divorce.

Fabians true love was Thalia. They were the ones meant for each other.

He had said this far too many times already. I was tired of hearing it.

The room fell into a deathly silence.

I continued what I was doing, folding the evening gowns one by one.

Once I went abroad, these luxurious clothes would no longer be of any use.

Seeing how unusually quiet I was today, Fabians tone softened slightly. Leave these things to the servants.

I gave a perfunctory tug at my lips and answered casually, Alright.

There were only two days left until Fabian and Thalias wedding.

The villa was filled with festive decorations. Even the area outside my secluded room had not been spared.

I could see them the moment I pushed the window open.

On the red banners were words written in Fabians own hand.

To hold your hand and grow old together.

To gain one true heart and never part until white hair.

Three years ago, when Fabian and I got married, there had been nothing like this.

I stood quietly by the window.

Thalia appeared at the far end of the corridor.

She looked especially happy today, her brows curved with delight, her steps light as she walked toward me.

The hem of her white wedding dress floated like clouds.

Thalia stopped at my door, her tone gentle and innocent.

Miss Jiang, what kind of necklace do you think I should choose for the wedding day?

Thalia was wearing the wedding dress she had just tried on. Her hair had not yet been styled, making her look like an innocent young girl.

I said calmly, This is not your first wedding. Shouldnt you have experience already? Why come to ask me?

Thalia froze at once. Her face drained of all color.

Her lips moved, but not a single word came out.

Fabian appeared at the corner of the corridor at some point, his gaze cold as ice.

Yvette, you are a woman too. Why must you use her past to provoke her?

It was Thalia who wanted to improve your relationship. That is why she came to ask you.

Thalia had clearly come to show off, yet Fabian could not see it.

In Fabians eyes, there was only ever Thalia.

I stood at the doorway, looking down at her.

Wear whatever necklace you like.

I have answered you. You can leave now.

Thalias eyes reddened. She took two steps back and leaned weakly into Fabians arms, looking helpless and fragile.

Fabian frowned, his tone low and hard, like a warning.

Yvette, I can make sure your family company never has a chance to recover.

I looked at Fabians face, bitterness flooding my heart.

The corners of my lips stiffened. I suddenly laughed until tears came out.

Fabian, you already signed the divorce agreement.

Fabian let out a cold laugh. If the wedding were not so close, I would go get the divorce certificate with you right now.

Cruel words had always come easily to him. He never held back.

I leaned against the doorframe and watched them leave in silence.

Thalia held Fabians arm obediently, happiness impossible to hide on her face.

The crystal chandeliers in the corridor cast soft light on their profiles.

They truly looked like a perfect match.

I took a deep breath, steadied myself, then said to the servant beside me, Prepare the car. I am going to the civil affairs office tomorrow.

Back in my room, I took the divorce agreement out of the drawer, signed my name, and pressed my fingerprint.

The movements were swift, without the slightest hesitation.

With both signatures complete, the procedures were finished quickly.

Now that the Yvette family had fallen, it was only reasonable for Fabian to want to sever ties with me.

The staff at the civil affairs office did not ask a single unnecessary question.

I also transferred my household registration back to my parents family.

By the time I finished everything and returned to the villa, it was nearly noon.

Tomorrow was the wedding. The entire villa was bustling with activity.

No one had the energy to pay me any attention anymore.

I returned to my room and organized the things I would take with me.

Two suitcases were packed quickly. I had someone send them out of the villa first, then sent a message to my parents.

The flight was early tomorrow morning.

The room was cleaned spotless, as if no one had ever lived there.

That evening, Fabians assistant delivered a set of formal attire.

With his head lowered, the assistant said, This was sent by President Shen. He personally selected the fabric two months ago.

He said Madam could wear it to the wedding tomorrow.

The custom silk shimmered softly under the warm yellow light.

The servant took the outfit, but the assistant remained standing at the doorway.

President Shen asked me to pass on a message, he added. What he said yesterday was spoken in anger. He hopes you will not take it to heart.

The words Fabian spoke were like water already poured out.

And my wounds were still aching faintly.

I was silent for a moment, then simply nodded to show that I had heard him.

The assistant raised his head cautiously and asked in a low voice, Madam, is there anything you would like me to pass on to President Shen?

The night wind was cold, stinging my eyes.

I spoke slowly. No. You should head back and report.

He responded softly and left quickly.

That night, I barely slept at all.

On the day of the wedding, I woke up very early.

As dawn broke, I changed into a simple, understated dress, put on my sunglasses, and went out.

The butler still recognized me and casually asked, Miss Jiang, where are you going? The wedding will start in about an hour.

Thalia was about to become Mrs Shen.

As for Fabian and me, our marriage had already come to an end, the dust fully settled.

To draw a clear distinction, Fabian now deliberately addressed me by my full name.

I smiled faintly. To the airport. I am picking up my parents. No need to tell Fabian.

The butler nodded. Understood.

I got into the car, which headed toward the airport.

All the guests attending the wedding were heading to the Shen family villa, moving in the opposite direction from me.

I lowered the sun visor and stared blankly at the tip of my shoes.

Three years ago, I married Fabian and lived through a period of mutual courtesy and restraint.

Back then, I had been far too naive.

I believed Thalia had already married someone else. Since Fabian chose me, I thought the marriage could remain stable.

I believed that sincerity would always be met with sincerity.

Until a year ago, when Thalia suddenly reconnected with Fabian.

After marrying me, Fabian led the Shen Group through continuous growth, its market value multiplying several times over.

I loved Fabian, and my father spared no effort in supporting him.

With his career thriving and his future bright, Fabian was even more high spirited than when he first succeeded in business.

Yet Fabians white moonlight had not lived well.

After marriage, Thalias husband kept a lover on the side. She lived every day in pain and torment.

At only twenty five, Thalia was already mentally exhausted, growing thinner by the day.

In the end, she could no longer bear it and confided in her childhood sweetheart.

Message after message filled with affection, call after call choked with tears, slowly drew two hearts that had once been apart back together.

Fate was cruelly ironic. Thalia had always been meant to be Fabians wife.

They should have gone from school uniforms to wedding gowns together.

Because of his guilt toward Thalia, Fabian redirected his resentment onto me.

From that moment on, he secretly supported Thalia while gradually distancing himself from me.

Any realization that came now was already too late.

An hour later, I boarded the flight overseas.

My parents knew that I had divorced Fabian.

They only sighed, regretting that they had misjudged him back then and let me endure so much pain.

I pressed my lips together, not daring to say a word.

It was my own foolishness.

One mistake after another.

After more than ten hours in the air, we finally arrived at my parents residence abroad.

I had worried that I might not adapt to the new environment.

Yet aside from falling ill for a few days due to jet lag, I adjusted quickly.

My mother filled the yard with flowers and plants and even planted several fruit trees.

The climate here was mild, everything growing freely and unrestrained.

My fathers position had been marginalized, and most of his previous savings were frozen.

But here, I felt lighter and more at ease.

I could eat fruits rarely seen back home and see landscapes I had never encountered before.

With sunshine and sea breeze filling each day, my heart gradually opened.

I began to love this life.

Those past memories were quietly smoothed away by time.

Every detail of my life with Fabian gradually blurred.

The occasional tenderness. Brief moments of warmth.

Long and silent nights. Waiting without an answer.

Everything drifted away with the wind, as if from another lifetime.

After returning from the wedding of my fathers friends son, my mother suddenly grabbed my hand, frowned slightly, and asked, I noticed you were spacing out just now. Were you thinking about Fabian again?

I froze for a moment, then answered honestly, I was thinking about how the steamed fish at the banquet was made. It tasted different from yours.

My mother could not help but laugh. Tomorrow I will have your father ask about it.

I wrapped my arm around hers and leaned in, rubbing against her like a spoiled child.

The house was warm and peaceful.

Before the wedding began.

Fabian stood outside Yvettes room for a long time.

He wanted to explain that this wedding was only meant to make up for the regrets of his youth with Thalia.

Just compensation. Nothing more.

The divorce he mentioned that day had been spoken in the heat of the moment. It had never been his true intention.

Fabian only wanted Yvette to understand that at that moment, she could rely only on him.

At some point, he had begun using the sharpest words to hurt her again and again.

Now, regret surged over him like a tide.

He regretted the cruel words that slipped out so easily, regretted pushing Yvette farther away each time.

There was no response from inside the room. Fabian turned to the butler and asked, Where is Madam?

The butler thought he was referring to Thalia and replied, Madam is getting her makeup done.

Fabian answered, Alright.

Yesterday, Fabian had asked someone to deliver a set of formal attire to Yvette.

It was custom made two months earlier.

Whenever he saw something delicate and beautiful, Fabian would instinctively want to buy it for Yvette.

The pale pink color suited her well.

He could even picture her wearing it, the corners of his mouth lifting unconsciously.

But until the wedding began, Yvette never appeared.

Fabians heart jolted. He asked again, Where is Madam?

The butler lowered his head, his voice trembling. Madam went to the airport early this morning to see Chairman Jiang off.

The wedding time arrived.

Fabian no longer cared about Thalia behind him. He turned and rushed into the guest room of the villa, pushed the door open, and went inside.

The room was so neat it made his heart panic, as if no one had ever lived there.

Only the pale pink dress lay quietly in place, untouched and brand new.

Fabians heart plunged into an abyss. A tearing pain spread through his chest.

Yvette was truly leaving.

Fabian rushed into the garage, grabbed a sports car at random, and sped away in full view of the stunned guests.

Thalia stumbled after him, her wedding dress dragging along the ground, tears blurring her makeup.

Fabian, please do not go

Fabian was the groom, the protagonist of this wedding.

How could the protagonist be absent from his own ceremony.

This wedding was something Fabian had longed for over so many years.

Yet Thalia could only watch as the car disappeared from sight.

Her body gave way, and she collapsed onto the steps.

Separated by thousands of miles, perhaps she would never see her again.

Fabian covered his face with both hands. Tears slipped through his fingers, the suppressed sobs breaking the heart.

Chaos erupted around him.

The assistant rushed over. President Shen, what happened?

Fabian could not say a single word.

Above the villa, fireworks prepared a day in advance bloomed across the clear blue sky.