Lauren Shaw told Claire Xu everything that had happened at Yvonne Sung’s house today. As expected, venting her frustrations really helped. After letting it all out, she felt much better inside.
But after hearing all this, Claire Xu couldn’t sit still.
Because just now, she’d seen a video on her social feed—Yvonne Sung drinking at a bar.
She had never thought much of Yvonne Sung, but since Lauren Shaw liked him, her words never counted for much. She figured Lauren Shaw would have to run into a wall herself before realizing the truth.
Their wedding was at the end of the month, yet he couldn’t even keep boundaries at a time like this.
Still, some things, Lauren Shaw would have to see with her own eyes.
At Royal No. 8 private room.
Lauren Shaw stood outside the door of the private room, hesitating to go in. The noise inside was nonstop, lively voices carrying through the door.
A server emerged, leaving the door ajar, just enough for Lauren Shaw to glimpse the scene inside.
Yvonne Sung sat sprawled on the sofa, Yana Quinn right beside him.
Someone nearby was egging them on.
“Yuche, are you and Yana Quinn getting back together now?”
“They really are the perfect pair—a talented man and a beautiful woman. I still remember back in college, you two were everyone’s favorite couple.”
“Oh, come on, stop teasing them,” Hugo Pierce cut in, exaggerating the word ‘friends.’ “Yuche’s getting married at the end of the month. He and Yana Quinn can only be friends now.”
Yana Quinn’s expression shifted subtly. She excused herself, saying she needed the restroom, and headed for the door.
Yvonne Sung grabbed his glass and took a long, hard drink.
Lauren Shaw moved to a quieter corner, pushing aside the ache in her heart, and called Yvonne Sung.
No matter how many times she called, he wouldn’t pick up.
Hugo Pierce noticed Yvonne Sung’s phone ringing and tried to nudge him along. “Yuche, listen to me—Lauren Shaw’s a good girl. Treating her like this isn’t cool.”
Maybe Hugo Pierce’s words got through, because this time Yvonne Sung answered. “What is it?”
His tone was still cold and indifferent, making Lauren Shaw’s heart sink even further.
“It’s nothing. I just wanted to ask what you’re up to.”
On her way here, Lauren Shaw had run through countless outcomes in her mind. She’d imagined Yvonne Sung giving her an explanation, maybe apologizing, comforting her. But none of that would ever happen—or rather, none of it would ever happen for her.
His gentleness was never hers to begin with.
Yvonne Sung sounded even frostier. “Lauren Shaw, we’re not married yet—is it really any of your business what I do? Maybe you’re being a bit controlling?”
“I’m not trying to control you. I just want to have a proper talk.” Lauren Shaw continued to humble herself.
“About what? Are you worried Yana Quinn is a threat to your position? Don’t worry, our wedding will go ahead as planned. She poses no threat at all.”
Lauren Shaw was at a loss for words, but she still couldn’t let it go.
What kind of man lets his ex-girlfriend move back into his house?
Was she really making a mountain out of a molehill?
After a few seconds of silence, Lauren Shaw could tell from the sudden quiet around Yvonne Sung that he’d stepped out of the private room.
“Yana Quinn just got back from overseas. She’s been struggling with depression, and after falling out with her parents, she has no one to turn to here in Ancheng. I can’t just abandon her.”
“So, what—you’re planning to take care of her for the rest of your life?”
“That’s right.”
Hearing this, Lauren Shaw could hardly believe it.
The call ended abruptly, his words echoing in her mind.
Was she really destined to settle for such a half-baked love?
She stood there for a long time, until voices drifted around the corner.
“Yuche, is this really how it’s going to be between us?” Yana Quinn’s voice, tinged with tears, floated over.
“You once promised—you said in this life, you’d marry no one but me. Do you remember?”
Yvonne Sung said nothing.
Yana Quinn, unwilling to let go, threw herself into his arms.
Crying, she pleaded, “I know it was wrong for me to leave for abroad, but at the time I had no choice. There wasn’t any other way. Now that I’ve come back to you, I’ve cut all ties with my parents. Other than you, I have nothing left.”
Yvonne Sung gently patted her back. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you down.”
Lauren Shaw didn’t interrupt. She simply took out her phone and snapped a photo of the two before quietly leaving.
On her way home, she sent the photo to Claire Xu.
Claire Xu: [Are you kidding me? These two are shameless. I’m furious!]
[Qingqing, I don’t want to get married anymore.] Lauren Shaw felt as if she’d finally made up her mind.
Claire Xu: [Thank goodness! Babe, you’ve finally come to your senses.]
Finally, she was no longer a slave to love.
Lauren Shaw resolved to go home and tell her parents she wanted to call off the engagement.
At the Li home.
It was late, but Li’s mother was still up watching her drama, while Li’s father remained in his study dealing with paperwork.
Seeing her come home, her mother was momentarily surprised, then delighted. “Back so late—did you miss your mom?”
Li’s mother had two daughters. The elder one was married, while the younger—that was Lauren Shaw—had moved out after graduating college, only coming home every once in a while.
Lauren Shaw leaned against her mother’s shoulder, answering with a muffled ‘mm.’
“Come stay at home more often, sweetheart. A lively house is a happy one,” her mother said softly, worried over how thin Lauren Shaw seemed. “You haven’t been eating properly again, have you?”
Li’s mother asked the maid to prepare some food.
“No need, Mom, I’ve already eaten.” For some reason, tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
Her father emerged from the study, sat down next to her, and asked how everything was going.
“Your wedding with Yuche is at the end of the month—is there anything else you need to prepare?”
Hearing her parents discussing her wedding again, Lauren Shaw looked up at them. She knew they were never thrilled about her marrying Yvonne Sung, but she had insisted. There was nothing they could do to change her mind back then.
Now, though, she noticed new strands of white in her father’s hair, and her heart ached.
Sensing her turmoil, her parents asked gently, “Shengsheng, did you and Yuche have a fight?”
She lowered her head, lips pressed tightly together. “I want to call off the wedding.”
Both her parents stared at her in shock.
Her father frowned deeply. “You want to call it off?”
“Yes.”
“Why? What happened to make you change your mind?”
Her mother let out a soft sigh. “Every couple argues a little—if you break off an engagement over something small, is it worth it?”
Lauren Shaw’s voice came out raw and hoarse. “I’ve made up my mind. Mom, Dad—please, don’t try to talk me out of it.”
Her father pressed on, “You were the one determined to marry him in the first place. Why back out now, so close to the wedding? Did Yuche do something unforgivable?”
They knew their daughter’s nature—she wasn’t spoiled or unreasonable. She had loved Yvonne Sung so fiercely that she would never call things off lightly, unless he’d truly crossed a line.