Chapter 1
When I told Samuel Quinn I wanted a breakup, he had just sent me the wedding plan he'd carefully crafted for us.
His helpless chuckle came through the phone. "Is it still about that dream? Julia, that's not fair to me."
My reply was crisp and icy. "Tell your parents we're over, and I'll tell mine"
I hung up on every call he made after that, packed my bags, and walked out.
But Samuel, who was supposed to be on a business trip, blocked my way.
He said, "Julia, we've known each other for 20 years. Don't you know what kind of person I am?
"It was just a dream. I didn't actually cheat on you. And I've already cut off all contact with other women, so you'd feel better.
"What more do you want?"
I instinctively stepped back from him. "Nothing. I just want to break up."
Because that wasn't a dream at all.
It was a future I could never change.
*****
Samuel finally frowned. "Does it have to be this way?"
After all, this was the third time I'd brought up breaking up with him this month.
The first time, he canceled all his work and spent a whole week with me.
The second time, he deleted every female contact from his phone, leaving only his mom.
And today, he was supposed to be in Milanis, closing a multi-billion-dollar deal.
"You're going to be late," I kindly reminded him.
But he gripped my suitcase and refused to let go. "Have you fallen for someone else?"
I froze for a second, then nodded. "Yes, I don't love—"
But before I could finish, Samuel suddenly leaned in and kissed me.
I struggled to break free and gave him a slap without thinking.
His face turned aside from the slap, but a smile still tugged at his lips. "Your body can't fake it. You still have feelings for me..."
But that smile quickly stiffened. "What's wrong, Julia?"
"Roses... You touched roses..." I clutched my throat, struggling to breathe.
His face went pale, but he didn't dare touch me again. He told his assistant to carry me to the car and take me to the hospital.
When I woke up, Samuel was sitting by my bedside, looking like a kid who'd just been caught doing something wrong. "I'm sorry, Julia..."
"I lost the baby, didn't I?" I asked.
He froze, momentarily at a loss.
I shut my eyes, exhausted. "Please, let me go, Samuel."
"Julia, I didn't mean it." He gripped my hand anxiously. "I'm not lying. There really was an emergency at work last night, and that's why I missed our anniversary.
"Then my mom suddenly called me back to the family home, and I guess her scent rubbed off on me.
"I usually make sure to change my clothes. But this morning, when you said you wanted to break up, I panicked..."
"Work?" I shoved my phone right in his face.
On the screen was a fresh airport selfie from last night.
A woman was holding a massive bouquet of red roses.
Beside her, only a glimpse of the man's wrist was visible, but it was just enough to catch the watch I had custom-made for Samuel.
I shot back, "So, the Quinn family's darling third son in Harbor City, doing airport pickups on the side. Does your family know about that?
"And you said you'd cut off all contact with other women. Funny, when did your adopted sister become a guy?
"Or did you turn into a woman yourself?"
Samuel's expression soured at that. "Vera is my sister. Can you stop being so hard on her?"
"Sister?" I found it laughable. "What kind of sister sneaks into bed in a tank top in the middle of the night and lies down between her brother and his girlfriend?
"What kind of sister, after learning her brother's girlfriend is seriously allergic to roses, suddenly goes overboard with rose-scented products?
"And what brother and sister take photos together wearing a wedding veil and a suit?"
With each accusation, Samuel's face turned a shade paler. "But..."
"But she's still just a kid, right? Samuel, she's 24. And when she was 16, she spiked my drink, sent me to a guy's room, and even set me up to be caught cheating—"
"Enough. How long will you keep digging up old dirt? It was never confirmed Vera did it. And eight years abroad for a kid over one of your suspicions, isn't that enough?"
His voice was all concern for Vera Quinn and frustration at how she'd been treated.
I suddenly laughed. "This is the ninth time. Samuel, we've known each other for 20 years. You've gotten mad at me ten times, and nine of those were all because of Vera."
Samuel stared back at me, speechless.
His lips parted, like he wanted to say something.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
"I have to head to Milanis now. Let's both cool off for a bit. When I get back, I'll bring you Harris' newest piece," he said.
With that, he grabbed his coat and walked out.
Watching his rigid back, I replied flatly, "No need. I never liked Harris. I've always liked Rick."