Chapter 2
It had been years. If Margaret hadn’t gotten pregnant by now, Valerie might have started to suspect that there was something wrong with Terrence’s ability to conceive.
But Valerie didn’t break up with him. Instead, just a few days ago, she had brought up the idea of getting married.
Perhaps it was because she wasn’t ready to let go.
When she was eighteen, standing at the entrance of her university, she had seen Terrence for the first time. She had instantly fallen for him.
Everyone called Terrence the prince of the Crawford family—aloof, unattainable, the stuff of dreams.
But Valerie was stubborn. Fueled by a heart full of passion, she pursued him relentlessly, like a moth drawn to the flame.
It took three years of unwavering pursuit, but she finally succeeded.
Yet, when she got what she wanted, she wasn’t happy.
The moment she’d won his heart, Terrence had received a phone call from Margaret.
Then, without a word, he had left Valerie standing alone in the cold wind.
It was at that moment that she realized—Terrence would always have an unforgettable connection to Margaret.
Valerie sighed heavily, then dialed a number again.
This time, it wasn’t Terrence’s number.
The phone rang once, then connected. Before the woman on the other end could speak, Valerie’s voice cut through the line, calm and flat.
“I accept the arranged marriage.”
On the other end was her mother, Jazlynn Hatfield. She sounded surprised, a bit taken aback.
“You’ve thought this through?”
Valerie didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
There was a pause before Jazlynn asked, “When will you be back?”
“The 20th of this month,” Valerie replied.
With that, she ended the call, then got into her car and headed home.
Terrence had hurt her again.
But this time, she promised herself it would be the last. She was truly exhausted.
Once at home, she showered, then lay down on her bed.
She could leave Terrence—she knew she could.
But after seven years, she was far too attached to him.
In the next two weeks, she would have to work quickly to free herself from him.
That night, as she lay asleep, Valerie felt the bed shift beside her, followed by the cold embrace of a familiar presence.
