Forsaking the Years of Longing

Chapter 19 The next day, at Jasmine's engagement ceremony.

Callan and I entered together, and I instantly felt a piercing, gloomy gaze fixed firmly on me.

I didn't care, but Callan, ever so thoughtful, casually stepped in to block that scorching stare.

He even smirked at me, as if asking for credit. "Some people are so persistent. Like a ghost that refuses to leave." I chuckled.

"A sentiment Mr. Callan should also take to heart."

Callan: ".."

He fell silent, looking a little pitiful.

I wasn't bothered in the slightest.

Jasmine's engagement party was extravagant, with reporters on-site snapping photos and covering the event.

The guests were all elites from the upper circle, putting on impeccable facades as they mingled.

Many approached me, eager to curry favor and flatter me, all because of my "new identity." Finding it tedious, I simply pulled Callan over to shield me from the endless rounds of drinks.

Once I escaped to the balcony, I finally managed to catch my breath.

The brief moment of peace didn't last long before someone ruined it.

"Caroline."

Hearing that familiar voice, I frowned and turned around.

I said nothing, only staring coldly at Jason until he became visibly uncomfortable.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

He broke the silence first, earning nothing but a sneer from me.

"You're the one who came looking for me. Shouldn't I be the one asking you that question?"

Jason's expression shifted before he took a step closer.

"About last night... I was drunk."

I nodded. "Terrible drinking habits. Mr. Parker, you should work on that."

"Caroline, I didn't mean those harsh words. But you were so eager to cut ties with me. How could I not be angry?"

I continued nodding, looking thoroughly uninterested.

"I'm sorry. I really regret it."

"You asked me yesterday if I would still try to win you back and give you a title if you were still the ordinary Caroline. I've thought about it all night,

and I have an answer now: I would."

"You're smart, kind, and beautiful - everything I'd want in a wife.

It was my mistake, prioritizing family background over everything else. I didn't realize until now that I had feelings for you all along. I'm not forcing you to come back to me now Time will prove my sincerity, as long as you're willing to give me a chance to make it up to you."

His words were well-crafted, even moving. I raised an eyebrow.

"And why the sudden change? It's rare to see Mr. Parker show weakness to a woman."

Jason took another step closer. His expression was hard to read, his face as stoic as ever.

"You love me. I love you too. So I have no reason to let you go and watch you be with someone else."

"Is that about me?"

Before I could respond, Callan stepped onto the balcony.

He beat Jason to it, draping his jacket over my shoulders with a practiced ease and then giving Jason a lazy smile.

"Still hung up on your ex, Mr. Parker?

Funny, though. If you're so

concerned about her, why didn't you

bother asking if she was cold,

standing out here in the breeze?"