Chapter 33: Nash Bought Her That Night
Nash paused, his gaze intense and regretful, as he spoke softly, “I’m sorry, Caroline. I failed you.”
Caroline’s response was measured, her tone calm and indifferent. “You’re being too dramatic, Mr. Newton. You have your bright, open path ahead, and I have my own path too. We each go our own way, unconnected and separate, because we were never meant to walk the same path.”
Her voice held no emotion, no bitterness—just a quiet acceptance. It was as if everything had already been resolved in her heart. The past, the hurts, the abandonment—she had long since let it all go. The pieces of her story, once sharp and jagged, were now worn smooth by time and experience.
Perhaps… she was simply destined to face a lonely path in life. She had never known family, growing up in an orphanage after being abandoned. When she finally met Nash, it felt like a rare and precious light had pierced through her darkness. But that light had dimmed and faded, leaving her alone once again.
Nash had been the class president at college, and Caroline, the academic committee member. The entire campus could see how much he liked her—how he pursued her with open sincerity and unwavering passion. But Caroline never accepted his advances. She had always known how great the gap was between them. Nash was the privileged young master of the Newton family, and she was merely the adopted daughter of the Brooks family. She didn’t think she was worthy of him.
For four years, Nash had never stopped pursuing her, remaining steadfast despite all the reasons she gave him to walk away. And just when Caroline was finally starting to consider the possibility of a future with him, just as she had begun to feel the stirrings of something more, the headlines exploded with news of Nash’s engagement.
“A perfect match.” “An ideal couple.” “A powerful union.”
The words burned into her heart.
Nash’s voice broke her out of her reverie. “Caroline…” His voice faltered, as though he wanted to explain, but couldn’t find the words. Instead, he simply asked, “How have you been?”
Caroline felt a brief surprise at his question. Did he not know that the Brooks family had married her off to David to ward off bad luck? She chose not to bring it up. It wasn’t worth explaining.
She smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ve been great. Really great.”
Nash’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the job applications on the table. “Don’t pretend,” he said gently. “How’s the job hunt going?”
Caroline crossed her arms and met his gaze, defiant as always. “Fantastic. Couldn’t be better.”
Nash didn’t push further. Instead, he spoke with sincerity. “If you’re willing, you can work at my company. Don’t let my presence deter you. I know you’d be an excellent employee and could become a renowned formulator in the industry.”
Caroline stood up, her back straight, her posture firm. “Thank you for the offer, Mr. Newton, but I’ll pass,” she said without sparing him another glance. She turned to leave, determined not to be swept up by his pity or his charity.
What, did she need Nash’s help now? She’d rather wash dishes, wait tables, or hand out flyers than accept his offer.
Why were men so heartless?
Nash, who had once professed his love for her, had now become another distant figure in her life. And David? He was even worse. The man who had married her, only to torment her daily, making her life a misery.
Caroline couldn’t help but wonder what she had done in her past life to deserve such a fate. Had she blown up the Milky Way or something?
“Caroline!” Nash called after her, his voice tinged with frustration and helplessness. “I really want to help you. That’s all.”
Caroline didn’t stop. She climbed onto a bus that had just pulled up, leaving Nash behind, standing there helplessly.
As she gazed out the window at the bustling street, Nash’s voice echoed in her mind. “But Caroline… You were sold by the Brooks family in the underground market. They put a price on your first time. Your life has been so hard.”
The words hit her like a cold gust of wind. Nash had discovered the information when the Brooks family’s transaction details were leaked. He hadn’t known it was Caroline at first, but when he confirmed her identity, he couldn’t stand by. He had paid the price… and bought her.
But what did that really mean? What had that transaction truly changed?
