Chapter 1434

[ 658 words ]

“Joel, when did you get back?” Lorelei asked in astonishment.

Joel, Tanner, and Harold had all attended the same middle and high schools.

The Garner and Bellamy families were close, and he had a decent relationship with Tanner.

However, his dynamic with Harold couldn’t exactly be called terrible, but it was absolutely nowhere near good.

Harold, in particular, harbored an inexplicable hostility toward him.

Whenever they crossed paths, Harold was downright abrasive, his expression cold enough to freeze water.

Naturally, Joel never gave him the time of day either.

Because of this, the occasions where they actually appeared in the same room were exceedingly rare.

“A couple of days ago.”

Joel sat across from her, a gentle smile gracing his handsome features, his voice impossibly soft. “You’re married now. You look much more mature than before. You aren’t that little girl who used to beam at me and beg me to buy her ice cream anymore.”

“Yeah.”

Lorelei smiled and nodded, her voice dropping lower. “I got married three years ago. You were studying abroad at the time, and I didn’t want to distract you, so I didn’t send you a message.”

More importantly—

Her wedding had been born from a scandal. The fewer people who knew, the better.

It had been an incredibly stripped-down affair.

“Is that so?”

Hearing her reasoning, a complicated look flickered across Joel’s face, his tone laced with melancholy. “Lori, you should have told me.”

If he had known, he absolutely would have flown back.

There were so many things he hadn’t had the chance to say to her, so many

feelings he hadn’t shown her. She deserved to know.

Especially after finding out just how absurd the circumstances of her marriage had been.

It filled him with endless, agonizing regret.

He had assumed that since she liked Harold so much, she had finally gotten what she wanted and would live a happy life.

Because of that, once he found out she was married, he blocked all domestic news related to the two of them.

Until two weeks ago.

He accidentally overheard that her marriage was miserable, and that there were recent rumors of an impending divorce.

He immediately wrapped up his work and flew back.

Whether it was divine mercy or just a late arrival to the game.

This time, he wasn’t going to miss his chance.

“Hm?”

Lorelei met his gaze, a hint of

confusion in her eyes before sheet

curled her lips into a smile What, are you disappointed you didn’t get to hand over a wedding gift?”

“Yeah.” Joel swallowed the words he truly wanted to say, his expression slightly strained. “I wanted to congratulate you in person.”

Unfortunately.

By the time he found out about the wedding, half a month had already passed, and the ink was dry.

She always thought she hid it so well, believing no one could tell she had a crush on Harold.

But he had seen right through it.

“Lori, how have you been?” Joel asked softly. “Does Harold treat you well?”

Lorelei froze for a split second before swiftly masking the sorrow on her face, offering a bright, radiant smile. “I’m doing great. He’s just a bit busy with work right now so f not around. Otherwise, I would have brought him along to grab a bite with you.”

Great?

Joel furrowed his brow, a coldness settling in his eyes.

Having known her for years, he could easily distinguish her truths from her lies.

She looked utterly exhausted, and even her smile seemed forced.

She wasn’t doing well at all.

“Lori, I don’t want you to force yourself to endure things.” Joel

instinctively wanted to reach out and stroke her hair like he used to, but remembering she was now a married woman, he fought down the urge. “No matter what happens, I’m always in your corner. I’ll be your strongest supporter.”

And…

I will always be right here waiting, if you ever decide to look back.

“Thank you, Joel.” Deeply moved, she fought back the stinging sensation in her chest. “I’ll handle these things on my own.”

Her reputation was already tarnished; she didn’t want to drag anyone else into the

mess.

Once she tracked down Harold and finalized the divorce details…

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