Cast Aside by One, Bound to Another

I raised Kael Draven for ten years.

With my own hands, I helped him rise from a poor student to the chief executive of a top corporation.

Just before the New Year, I found out I was pregnant.

I wrapped a bouquet of red roses myself and hid the ultrasound report inside, planning to surprise him that night.

But I never expected to witness him cheating with my own eyes.

The girl curled up in Kaels arms, crying pitifully. I dont want to sneak around in a secret relationship. I want a proper status. That old woman is not worthy of you.

Kael was amused by her innocence. He gently scraped her nose and said indulgently, As you wish, my darling.

The bouquet slipped from my hands and crashed to the floor with a sharp, grating sound.

Kael turned around and saw me, my eyes blurred with tears.

I covered my face and ran away. Tears poured out through my fingers.

When I got back to the apartment, acid rose in my stomach. I bent over the trash can, retching in misery.

Cold spread through my limbs when a pair of black leather shoes came into view.

Kael gently patted my back and skillfully took out my stomach medicine. Your stomach hurts again?

On the table was the candlelight dinner I had carefully prepared. By now, it had gone completely cold.

I avoided Kaels hand and stood up, walking into the bathroom.

On the tiles were childish photo stickerssnapshots of ten years of me and Kael.

He was once shy, then gradually grew mature. I was once youthful, then gradually grew tired.

I turned on the faucet to drown out my fragile sobbing. After a long while, I pulled myself together. The man was busy in the kitchen and the warm, comforting aroma of food filled the room.

Adult infidelity was a silent understandingthere was no need for hysterics.

A steaming bowl of noodles was pushed in front of me.

There was no guilt in his eyes, only the composed calm of someone accustomed to being in control. The air fell into an awkward stalemate.

I instinctively avoided him, stood up and headed back to the bedroom.

Kael reached out first, catching my hand and let out a helpless sigh.

Shes innocent and adorablejust like how you once made me feel. I promise Im just playing around with her. I wont forget the help and kindness youve given me.

At the end of the day, the one who once promised me, red-eyed in the dead of night, that he would love me forever, no longer existed.

The cold war we both tacitly accepted dragged on endlessly.

During that time, the doctor called to inform me that my health was poor and that I likely would not be able to bear the hardship of carrying a child.

Yet when we were younger, Kael had always wanted me to give him a child.

That child might have been the turning point in our relationship.

Restless and agitated, I decided to go to the company to inspect work and, incidentally, look for a chance to talk to Kael.

The moment I stepped inside, the employees who had been chatting animatedly fell silent.

The junior assistant was handing out coffee. When she saw me, she curled her lips into a faintly disdainful smile. Miss Veyran, would you like a cup?

The cup sleeve was glaring to the eyeprinted on it was a photo of her standing shoulder to shoulder with Kael.

My nails dug into my palm. I smiled sweetly and spoke, Sure.

She lifted the last cup of coffee, frowning as if troubled. But Miss Veyran, at your age, you probably are not lacking sleep, right? Maybe you should leave the coffee to the younger people who actually need it.

Suppressed laughter rippled through the room.

Before I could react, Kael appeared and scolded her coldly. Elara, stop messing around.

It sounded like a scolding, but I did not miss the indulgence hidden in Kaels eyes.

She pouted, stuck out her tongue defiantly and trotted behind Kael.

Kael strode toward me and took the bag from my hand. What brings you to the office today?

I casually picked up the coffee on the table and gave it a light shake, putting on an air of indifference. I just came to give notice. Elara has been fired.

Behind me came the girls furious, piercing scream.

The glass shattered at my feet, splintering into pieces and slicing into my ankle.

The sharp pain spread. I bit down hard on the inside of my lip and dialed my personal lawyer. Tom, someone has threatened my personal safety. Come deal with it.

I leaned against the car, irritably pulling out a cigarette. But when I thought of the child in my womb, I stopped.

Kael chased after me and gripped my wrist tightly.

Elara has to support her seriously ill grandmother. She cannot lose this job. She is pitiful enough already.

Pitiful?

I snapped, flinging Kaels hand away as if I had lost all reason.

The grievances I had bottled up for days erupted in an instant.

Just because she is pitiful, she gets to steal someone elses boyfriend? Just because she is pitiful, she can flaunt herself in front of me?

I lifted the hem of my skirt, exposing my bloodied ankle and let out a hoarse laugh. Or is it that you only feel sorry for her?

My hysterical roar echoed through the empty parking garage.

Kael rubbed his aching temples, his gaze dark and still as water. If you refuse to let her go, then I can only protect her in my own way.

He turned and left without a trace of hesitation.

That broad back gradually faded from sight. I shed all my defenses, hugged my arms and crouched down.

Back then, Kael had been pitiful tooI was the one who took him in.

His job was easy. After work, he would wash clothes and cook at home, taking care of my daily needs.

He would ache for me when overtime left my eyes bloodshot and he would ache for me when I drank with clients until my stomach bled.

He was even more heartbroken for me having no one to rely on, not daring to take sick leave even when ill, afraid of missing any chance for promotion or a raise.

Perhaps Kael had already forgotten that his original reason for clawing his way upward was simply to become my solid support, to build me a safe and steady harbor from the storm.

I pulled open the car door and stepped on the accelerator, driving straight to the hospital.

While waiting in line in the corridor, the couple across from me burst into tears of joy after learning they were pregnant.

The man held the womans hand tightly, tearfully promising he would be a good father.

The scene was warm and deeply moving.

I touched my lower abdomen, my heart wavering ever so slightly.

Was I too uncompromising, causing me and Kael to argue again and again?

If he knew we had a baby, would he come to his senses and become a responsible father?

A notification chime sounded, shattering all my beautiful illusions.

Elara had not been fired.

Kael hired her as his personal secretary, directly under his own authority.

The previously quiet company group chat suddenly came alive. Many people were celebrating her.

[Elara has really turned things around. With Mr. Draven backing her, she can practically run wild in the company.]

[Mr. Draven was known for his fairnessbut breaking the rules just to protect Elara? That was the mark of a true man.]

[Who knows, maybe Elara will be our direct superior in the future. Respectfully, Mrs. Thalor.]

***

My heart slowly sank to the bottom.

Kael, who had always disliked participating in company chatter, even showed up and sent a generous bonus to celebrate.

My phone vibrated wildly, the screen flashing a familiar number. I pressed the answer.

Lyra, Kael used the credit from that last major case to plead with the chairmanthat is how he managed to keep Elara. Your termination approval has already been returned to your inbox.

I responded faintly, Mm.

The last time he took on a difficult yet high-profile project, I worked day and night for half a month straight, barely sleeping, nearly suffering a heart attack.

I had exhausted myself just to help him chew through that hard bone.

Back then, we had agreed to trade that achievement for a week off to fly to Briavelle together and unwind.

My blood and sweat had merely become his stepping stone.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. This time, I did not hesitate. I walked into the operating room.

At the same time, I submitted an application for a transfer to Urgina headquarters.

When I pushed the door open at home, the air was filled with an unfamiliar perfume.

Elara was lounging on the leather sofa, her face covered with the high-end facial mask Kael had once given to me.

Seeing me return, she lifted her chin arrogantly, deliberately showing off the diamond ring on her ring finger.

Kael gave it to me. Pretty, isnt it? He even said that once he secures the position of president, he will kick you out and marry me.

A dull ache weighed down my lower abdomen and warmth trickled between my legs.

The bathroom door was pushed open, steam spilling out.

Kael came out bare-chested, several vivid red scratch marks streaking across his chest.

In the trash can lay a used condom.

Everything was telling me the same thingKael had cherished another woman in our home.

Blood dripped onto the floor with soft splats.

Elara covered her nose in disgust and hurried to Kaels side. Kael, do women become unhygienic once they get old? The whole place reeks of blood. It is making me want to throw up.

She put on a show of dry heaving.

Kael frowned deeply and casually made a phone call.

The cleaning staff arrived quickly, scrubbing the house spotless, inside and out. Except for the blood between my legs, which kept flowing without end.

The Kael from before had been meticulous to the extreme. He could remember my menstrual cycle down to the exact day.

When I was younger, I neglected my health, which led to irregular periods.

Kael insisted on boiling traditional medicine for me for two whole years and he could even recite the dates by heart.

All he needed was one glance at the menstrual record posted beside the refrigerator to notice that something was wrong.

The cleaner stared at the blood beneath me and tried to ask me anxiously, out of concern.

Miss, are you feeling unwell?

Kael glanced at me, his lips moving slightly.

Before he could speak, Elara weakly collapsed into his arms. Kael, you were too harsh just now. My back is sore and my waist achesI cannot even stand. Hurry and carry me to the bedroom.

Kael withdrew his gaze. As he brushed past me, he spoke with evident displeasure. At your age, you really should pay more attention to personal hygiene. You should go stay somewhere else tonight.

He handed me a room key card.

Suddenly, I remembered how I first met Kael under a bridge.

His shirt had been soaked through by the rain, his body covered in mud.

Back then, I had handed him a room key just like this, telling him to go to the hotel suite I usually stayed in and take a hot shower first.

Under my guidance and protection, that once-fragile, helpless boy had grown into someone capable of standing on his own.

Even to the point of standing shoulder to shoulder with me.

My hands and feet turned ice-cold as I took the room card Kael handed over. He looked surprised.

So, Lyra, you agree to move out and stay elsewhere?

I looked at with bleak eyes and said nothing.

I merely numbly packed my luggage, slammed the door and left.

My chest ached in dense, crushing waves. Sitting in the car, I could no longer hold my emotions back and broke down into uncontrollable sobs.

The next day, when I returned to the company, everyone looked at me with barely concealed mockery.

In the pantry, was surrounded like the center of attention, a cluster of young girls fawning over her.

Elara, was it Mr. Draven who pursued you? When you become the presidents wife, do not forget to promote us.

Elara shot a smug glance toward me outside the door, her chin lifted high like a proud peacock.

Of course Kael was the one who chased after me first. After all, I am young and prettyunlike some people, old and faded and still shamelessly trailing after someone elses boyfriend.

I let out a scornful laugh and turned away, unconcerned.

At the corner, however, I ran straight into Kael.

He grabbed my wrist, his Adams apple bobbing as he swallowed. Lyra, why are you not angry?

I pried his fingers off mine one by one, a mocking smile curling at my lips.

Do you want me to act like a shrewscreaming hysterically? Or rush over and slap her a few times?

He frowned deeply and let out a helpless sigh.

He took out an exquisite velvet box, his tone apologetic. Lyra, I told youshe is just someone I am playing around with.

He opened the box, revealing a dazzling diamond ring inside. The wedding preparations are already underway. Once we get married, I will cut her off completely.

So he could see it after all that I loved him, that I wanted to marry him.

But such meaningless attempts at holding on were useless now.

I did not stop. I lifted my foot and walked straight past Kael.

Behind me came the mans unmistakably angry warning. Lyra, this is your own choice.

That very night, Kael treated the entire company to dinner and proposed to in public.

At the table were all Elaras favorite dishes.

Elara blinked her bright, starry eyes and leaned against Kaels shoulder, her face full of bliss.

Everyone else took photos and posted them to their social feeds, the captions filled with congratulations for this so-called golden couple.

The spiciness made my stomach ache. I rose apologetically, about to leave.

But Elara swayed her wineglass and blocked my path. Miss Veyran, are you not going to toast me? Or do you harbor resentment towards me?

She hooked an arm around Kaels neck and acted coquettish.

Kael lifted his gaze, a half-smile playing on his lips. Miss Veyran, do us the honor of a drink.

The tone left no room for refusal.

Just last week, my gastritis had flared up again. It was Kael who took me to the hospital and stayed by my side for three days without leaving.

The doctor had specifically warned me to avoid spicy, irritating food for a month. And with the abortion I had just undergone yesterday, my body could not possibly handle this glass of alcohol.

I smiled faintly and kept walking.

Kael sprang up quickly, interlacing his fingers with Elaras to block the doorway.

He filled a tall wineglass to the brim and forcefully pressed it into my hand.

Today is a good day for Elara and me. How could you not drink a glass, Miss Veyran?

As the standoff dragged on, someone let out a soft cry. It is snowing.

White snow filled the sky, just like the day Kael confessed to me.

He had said that as long as he was there, no one would ever be allowed to bully me again.

Yet in the end, it was only him, relying on my wholehearted love, to hurt me without restraint.

I took it and drained the full glass of wine. The sharp burn brought tears streaming down my face. The alcohol scorched my throat and I coughed in misery.

Elara nodded in satisfaction and pulled Kael toward the floor-to-ceiling window, acting sweetly.

In the thick night outside, countless drones had gathered at some point, releasing a romantic rain of rose petals.

Red and white intertwined as the drones formed glowing words in the sky:

Kael and Elara, together till old age.

I hoarsely read the sentence aloud, then burst into laughter and hurried away.

Behind me came hurried footsteps, Kael calling my name again and againbut then it stopped abruptly.

Before the taxi arrived, I still softened and turned back for one last look.

In the rain of rose petals, Kael kissed Elara passionately.

What was I even hoping for?

Sitting in the taxi, I watched the scenery outside the window blur and change.

Every first-snow night in the past, Kael would always pick a sentimental romance film. Crying my eyes out, he would pull me into his arms and promise he would never let go of my hand.

But this year, Kael broke his word.

Tears welled up and spilled over. I tried to dab them away, but the tissues quickly became soaked.

My phone chimed. A message from Kael popped up.

I ignored it, shut the phone off and boarded the plane without looking back.

Kael, I will not give you another chance to ever find me again.