Fated love: the unwanted bride

She chose a spot very close to the window, so close that she could clearly see the withered leaves floating on the ground.

Outside, raindrops pelted the ground and the cars. Pedestrians were rushing by swiftly.

Some people, without umbrellas, were incessantly running in the rain, while others were taking shelter in the doorways of shops on the roadside.

The crowd in the seafood restaurant gradually dispersed, making it increasingly desolate.

With a loud “rumble”, thunder roared in the sky.

Jasmine Yale hurriedly put down her cup and covered her ears.

She was afraid of thunder.

Her heart skipped a beat, throwing her off rhythm.

Long, long ago, the rolling thunder would give her an excuse to scamper into Sylvan Cheney’s room.

Initially, it was out of genuine fear, but after a short while in Sylvan Cheney’s room, she would no longer be afraid.

Even when the fear faded, she didn’t want to leave.

Eventually, she would monopolize Sylvan Cheney’s bed, leaving him to spend the night on the sofa.

She would sleep soundly and comfortably, while Sylvan Cheney’s tall figure would have to squeeze onto the diminutive sofa.

Even though she always felt guilty, every time there was thunder, she would forget and habitually run back to Sylvan Cheney’s room.

As she grew older, Tomer would criticize her privately.

“Miss Yale, it’s inappropriate for a man and woman to be so intimate. At your age, it’s not proper to always run to Mr. Cheney’s room without reason.”

“Miss Yale, you are as yet unmarried. If word spreads, it could tarnish your reputation.”

“Miss Yale, Mr. Cheney is devoted to someone else. Your persistent actions put him in a difficult position.”

She thought no one knew that she would always run to Sylvan Cheney’s room…

When Tomer mentioned it, her face turned red.

From then on, she never dared to run to Sylvan Cheney’s room.

During thunderstorms, she would huddle beneath her blankets, trembling alone.

Without him by her side during those stormy nights, she would lay awake in fear.

Eventually, Sylvan Cheney found out about it, so while she no longer ran to his room during thunderstorms, he would come to hers.

Tomer didn’t dare criticize Sylvan Cheney, so he stayed silent.

She remembered, when he entered her room, he’d instinctively sit on the sofa.

She tightened her grip on the blankets, “Mr. Cheney, it may cause misunderstandings if you continue like this.”

“Why do we need to explain ourselves?”

“Well… People may think there’s something going on between us.”

“Is there a problem with what they think?”

“No… that’s not…it’s not about whether there’s a problem or not…” Jasmine Yale stuttered.

Jasmine Yale always felt that Sylvan Cheney thought differently from her.

Of course, if he were like her, he wouldn’t be Mr. Cheney anymore.

Was she too foolish, or was Sylvan Cheney too clever?!

With her ears covered, the sound of thunder seemed to recede.

When she looked up again, another bolt of lightning tore through the pitch-black sky.

Jasmine Yale, frightened, hurriedly closed her eyes and covered her ears.

Boom…

The roar of the thunder was incessant.

The rain became heavier and heavier. From her position, she could hear the sound of rainwater splashing onto the ground, which was now flooded.

On such a stormy night, why did she think of Sylvan Cheney?

Was it because of deeply ingrained habits, or lingering affection?

It took her three years to forget him, but over twelve years, he had etched countless habits into her life.

The rain seemed unlikely to stop any time soon.

Jasmine Yale simply poured herself another drink and continued to peel shrimp while sipping her liquor.

The shrimp were so spicy that tears trickled down her face.

“Jasmine?”

Jasmine Yale, engrossed in peeling a shrimp, was startled by the sound. She jumped.

Turning her head, she saw a young man standing by the table.

She rubbed her eyes, finally getting a clear look.

“Senior Colin?”

“Yes, nice to see you recognize me.” Hans Colin nodded.

Jasmine Yale looked at her oily hands, laughing awkwardly, “Long time no see.”

“Are you alone?” Hans Colin gave her a warm smile.

“My friend had an emergency and left, so…I’m here alone.”

“Would you mind if I joined you?”