Forsaking the Years of Longing

I had always thought of Jasmine as a love-struck heiress who valued romance above all else. While she was playful, her ultimate pursuit always seemed to be pure love. Perhaps she hadn't met the right person before, but now, her words were eye-opening. Compared to the countless nights I spent tormented by Jason, Jasmine seemed far more clear-headed than I had ever been.

Chapter 16 I was somewhat impressed.

"Jason is definitely going to show up at the engagement party. I don't think you'll want to see him, so..."

I cut Jasmine off. "Don't worry. I'll be there."

"It's time to truly move on from the past. Besides, I have a few business partners to meet in Seattle -I need to expand my ventures."

Hearing this, Jasmine finally looked relieved.

When I arrived at the airport, it was Callan who came to pick me up. He calmly took my suitcase as though our previous conversation had never happened.

I exchanged a few casual pleasantries with him, like we were just old friends.

But then, halfway through, Jason suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

His eyes were red as he stormed over, trying to snatch the suitcase from Callan, looking both angry and confused.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back to Seattle?"

He directed the question at me, his tone accusatory.

"Mr. Parker, how many times do I have to remind you? We have nothing to do with each other anymore. Why should I inform you of my whereabouts or plans? Who do you think you are?" Callan chuckled lightly from the side, nodded at me, and headed off to start the car.

But Jason continued blocking my way, his eyes scanning me up and down before letting out a bitter laugh.

"You've been lying to me all these years."

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"Why didn't you tell me your father is Zachary Howard? Why did you deceive me for five years? And why did you just break up with me like it was nothing?"

His emotions grew increasingly agitated, his eyes reddening further, adding a misplaced hint of vulnerability to his otherwise handsome face. The contrast felt jarring.

For a moment, I couldn't reconcile this version of Jason with the one I knew.

I stepped back, frowning, and gave him a cold, disapproving look.

"So? What exactly are you trying to say?"

My indifferent response seemed to bring him back to his senses.

He froze for a moment, realizing how much of a fool he'd just made of himself.

He didn't say another word.

By then, Callan had pulled the car up and honked twice.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving, Mr. Parker."

With that, I brushed past Jason, got into the passenger seat of Callan's car, and shut the door.

Through the rearview mirror, I saw Jason turn around, his gaze heavy and unreadable as he watched us drive off.

But I no longer deceived myself into thinking he wanted to reconcile.

Callan was tactful, saying nothing

the entire ride, though he

v

occasionally glanced at me, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

QUMS

When we arrived at my old penthouse, he didn't leave right away.

"For Jasmine's engagement party, if you don't already have a date, may I have the honor?"