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Chapter 19
Kieran sat in his study, rain streaking down the windows outside.]]
The TV was on, CNBC running a special feature:
[Rising designer Lora wins Milan International Design Gold Award, her ‘Starlight‘ brand valued at over one billion dollars][]
On screen, Lorraine stood at the podium in a sharp white suit, smiling.[]
Her eyes sparkled like stars, every gesture radiating confidence and poise.[]
When a reporter asked about her secret to success, she leaned into the microphone and said softly: “First, you have to learn to love yourself.“]
Kieran’s fingers unconsciously tightened, his hands trembling uncontrollably.[]
“It’s reported that Ms. Lora recently established the ‘Lorraine Foundation,‘ dedicated to supporting disadvantaged women’s entrepreneurship. To date, she’s helped over 300 women achieve financial independence…”
The TV audio gradually faded into background noise.[]
Kieran stood up, stumbling toward that long–sealed room–Lorraine’s former bedroom.]
As he pushed open the door, a faint jasmine scent hit him, as if she’d been there just yesterday.[]
Her half–used hand cream still sat on the vanity, and a few forgotten loungewear pieces hung in the closet.[]
Kieran found himself picking up a cream–colored cashmere sweater, the fabric still carrying traces of her perfume.[]
He suddenly remembered that winter three years ago when he’d worked until dawn and came home to find Lorraine asleep on the couch wearing this exact sweater, waiting for him.[]
When she saw him, she’d rubbed her eyes and stumbled to the kitchen to heat up soup, accidentally burning her hand…]]
Moments like that happened all the time during their marriage, but he’d been completely fucking blind to it…]
“BANG!”
The sound of the front door slamming brought him back to reality.
The butler stood in the doorway, looking uncomfortable: “Sir, the bank representatives are here again. They said if the loan isn’t repaid by next week, they’ll start the foreclosure process…“]
Kieran waved him off dismissively.
After the butler left, he collapsed onto Lorraine’s vanity stool, staring at his reflection–hollow eyes, disheveled stubble, zero trace of the hotshot CEO he used to be.
His phone buzzed with a text from Director Carter.]
“Kieran, I watched you grow up, so I’m giving you a heads up out of respect for our history. The board voted to remove you as chairman next week. Take care of yourself.“[]
Kieran let out a bitter laugh, his gaze falling on a piece of paper peeking out from the vanity drawer.[]
He pulled it open to find a journal.]
Lorraine’s elegant handwriting filled every page, documenting his every detail:[]
“March 15th – Kieran’s stomach acting up, remember to make soup daily“]
Chapter 19
“May 20th – Allergy season starting, stock his car with Benadryl“]
“July 8th – Wedding anniversary, finally got those cufflinks he liked“]]
The final entry was from a week before their divorce:
“Tomorrow is Kieran’s birthday. The watch I ordered for him finally arrived. Gotta get Black Forest cake–he hates super sweet stuff, and he’s allergic to peanuts. I hope after I’m gone, whoever plans his birthdays will remember…“]
Kieran’s vision suddenly blurred.]
He remembered that birthday, how he’d thrown the watch Lorraine gave him straight into the trash without a second thought, all to please Aurora. []]
Now he realized that watch was the exact limited edition he’d casually mentioned liking…]
Applause suddenly erupted from the TV.
Kieran looked up to see Lorraine being interviewed by international media.[]
A reporter asked: “Ms. Lora, you were previously married. Did that experience affect your career?“]]
Lorraine smiled slightly on camera: “I think it did impact me. That marriage taught me the most important lesson of all–never sacrifice yourself for anyone else.”
Kieran abruptly turned off the TV.
In the silent room, only the sound of rain hammering the windows remained.]]
He stared at his reflection, suddenly remembering Lorraine’s silhouette the day she left–straight spine, resolute steps, not a trace of hesitation.[]
When exactly had she made up her mind to leave?]
Was it when he’d donated bone marrow without hesitation? When he’d ditched her time and again for Aurora? When his mother had tormented and punished her?
Outside, the rain was getting heavier.]
The Harper mansion’s electrical system suddenly tripped, plunging the entire room into darkness.
But Kieran just sat there numbly at Lorraine’s vanity, only realizing when he raised his hand that his face was wet with tears.]
He finally understood that the cruelest punishment in the world wasn’t bankruptcy or betrayal–it was waking up to find that the person who once loved you more than life itself had become someone you could never reach.
But he didn’t want to give up.
She’d loved him so fucking much once–how could she just throw him away over stupid shit like this?[]
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