“What?” His father’s voice changed instantly. He closed the book sharply. “What did you just
say?”
“L-l-l… a girl?”
His father, stunned. “A girl you like? Whose permission did you take for this?”
“Dad, please…” Arin stepped closer. “Just meet her once, please.”
“No. I will not meet her,” his father said firmly. “Because I already know the kind of
mentality she has… and I will never accept a girl like that.”
“Listen, dear,” his father said in a controlled but serious tone. “Love happens at this age, I
understand. It happened to me, too.”
“But we cannot destroy everything we built with our hard work, our business, just for
emotions.”
Arin listened silently, his chest tightening.
“And your uncle’s daughter,” his father continued, “will not only bring stability into your life
but also strengthen our financial position.”
“No, Dad…”
“I don’t want wealth. I just want Liara.”
“Liara?” his father repeated with a faint, dismissive expression. “Even her name sounds
outdated.”
Arin’s dad’s voice rose slightly. “If you want to marry her, you will…”
A brief silence fell into the room.
“Thank you, Dad…” Arin suddenly stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
But his father did not respond with warmth.
Instead, he said coldly, “Then understand one thing clearly. After this, I will have no
relationship with you.”
Arin froze.
“What… Dad? What are you saying?”
It felt like a heavy weight had dropped onto him, crushing his entire world in a single
moment.
“It’s late. Go to sleep now.”
“And make your decision by tomorrow.”
“Dad, please listen to me.”
But before he could finish, his father turned away and pushed him out of the room.
The door has closed.
“Dad… please open the door. At least listen to me…”
Arin kept knocking, his voice breaking with every call. But his father’s heart remained
unmoved.
Slowly, Arin slid down against the door and sat there, helpless, still pleading, still hoping.
Meanwhile…
I don’t know if Arin talked to his father or not… What if something went wrong? Why hasn’t
he called yet? Liara thought, anxiety tightening her chest.
He should have at least texted me by now…
She picked up her phone.
As she dialed his number, Arin’s phone began to ring.
“Dad, please. Oh,
The sound cut through his thoughts.
He quickly wiped his tears and pulled out his phone.
“Oh no… It’s Liara.”
She’s definitely calling to ask about Dad… should I pick up or not? If I don’t, she’ll know if
something’s wrong.
He took a deep breath and answered.
“Hello…”
“Arin, are you okay? You weren’t picking up. Is everything fine?”
“Hey… slow down, at least let me breathe.”
“Arin… you don’t sound okay. What happened to your voice?”
“Nothing… I’m fine.”
“Liara, hold on a second.”
He stood up and walked straight to his room before continuing.
“Now tell me… You had someone there with you?” Liara asked.
Arin frowned slightly. “Liara… are you starting to doubt me now?”
“You’ve been acting suspiciously lately,” she replied.
“Anyway… did you talk to your dad?”
Her tone turned serious; she wanted a clear answer.
“Liara… I,” Arin hesitated.
I can’t lie to her…
“I… haven’t talked to him yet.”
“Really?” Liara exhaled sharply. “So, you want me to believe you’re telling the truth?”
“Why would I lie to you?” Arin said defensively.
“Arin…” Her voice softened, but tension remained. “I’m just asking.”
“Liara, please… just wait a little. I’ll fix everything.”
“You’ve been saying that for five years,” she replied; her voice now edged with pain. “Either
you’re hiding something… or you’re avoiding it.”
“No, Liara… how could I hide anything from you?”
“Your voice… your hesitation… they’re saying everything,” she said quietly.
“Come on… "
“Arin, just talk to your father as soon as possible,” Liara said, her voice firm but trembling
underneath. “Mom wants me to get married… and you know I don’t lack proposals.”
She paused, then added more softly, “It doesn’t feel right turning them down every single
time.”
Liara exhaled slowly
“Liara, wait, listen to me… damn it,” Arin muttered, staring at his phone.
How long can I keep hiding this from her? I have to tell her… but what if it breaks her?
He ran a hand over his face, his thoughts spiraling.
I can’t leave my dad… he’s done so much for me. But Liara… fifteen years…
Arin sank deeper into his thoughts, tears silently soaking into the cushion beside him.
Meanwhile…
He’s lying, anger burning through her chest. His father will never accept me…
Her emotions exploded.
“I was so stupid… fifteen years… and this is what I get,” she whispered before suddenly
grabbing things around her and throwing them across the room.
“You lied to me, Arin… you lied!” She cried.
Her voice broke as she clutched her head and collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.
At that moment, the door opened.
“Liara! What happened, dear? Are you okay?” Her mother rushed in, pulling her into a tight
embrace and gently stroking her back.
“Nothing is okay, Mom…” Liara cried uncontrollably. “You were right… Arin will never
marry me.”
“Liara, what happened? Tell me… you’re scaring me.but”
“I’ll call him.” She quickly reached for Liara’s phone.
“No!” Liara snatched it back. “Leave it, Mom… there’s no point.”
“Then tell me what he said.”
Liara took a shaky breath, trying to control herself for her mother’s sake.
“He didn’t say it… But it’s obvious.”
“What do you mean?” Her mother asked softly.
“It means his father didn’t agree.”
Her eyes filled again.
“In a few days, his wedding card will arrive… but my name won’t be on it.”
Her voice turned bitter.
“It’ll be some rich business partner’s daughter… chosen by his so-called greedy father.”
“Dear, don’t think so negatively.”
“Then what should I think, Mom?” Liara snapped, her emotions overflowing again. “Tell me
what I should think?”
“I can’t even think properly anymore… every thought leads back to the same reality… the
reality between us.”
“I know,” Liara’s mother said softly. She cupped her daughter’s tear-streaked face and kissed
her cheeks gently before speaking again.
“I’ve been trying to make you understand this from the beginning… this is the rule of the
world. People act according to their own interests.”
Watching her daughter like this… it was her mother’s second painful truth in life.
“Come here, Liara. You”
“Today, I’ll tell you a story… one very similar to yours.”
“Mom, I’m not a child,” Liara replied weakly. “A story won’t make me forget this pain.”
“This pain…” she pressed her hand to her chest, “…it’s like shattered glass. Once broken, it
never truly comes back together.”
Her mother gave a faint, knowing smile.
“But I know my daughter is strong.”
She paused, her eyes growing distant.
“When your father left me… you were only two years old.”
Liara looked up at her, surprised.
Her mother continued, “I didn’t feel deeply attached to him, but even then… when he left, I
felt an emptiness I can’t explain.”
“It felt like someone had torn away a part of my soul.”
Her voice softened but didn’t break.
“But I gathered myself… I lived with that pain… and I raised you.”
Liara stared at her mother, whose eyes were now glistening.
“I’m sorry, Mom… because of me, you had to relive that pain again.”
“No,” her mother shook her head gently. “That’s not true.”
“I don’t want you to suffer.”
“And remember one thing…”
“If you ever feel like everything is ending…”
“…that is exactly when life asks you to begin again.”
“It’s not that easy, Mom… I can’t even imagine forgetting Arin.”
The thought echoed inside Liara’s mind as she stayed wrapped in her mother’s arms, silently
swallowing her pain.
Around them, life moved on.
Some people were happy.
Some got broken.
And somewhere else
Liara sat on the edge of his bed, shattered.
What am I lacking? She thought bitterly. I’m successful… intelligent… It’s not about
money…
Her phone rang.
Liara had cut it.
“Pick up, Liara…” he muttered, frustration rising. “Why aren’t you at university today…”
Just then
“Arin,” Rick said
“Everything okay between you two?” Rick asked casually.
Arin shot him a sharp look. “You’ve got a lot of free time these days.”
Rick shrugged. “Can’t help it. I like checking up on my people.”
“Rick,” Arin said, his voice low and warning, “I’m already in a bad mood. Don’t push it.”
Rick raised his hands slightly. “Alright, alright… I’ll go.”
Arin ignored him, but his thoughts were already elsewhere.
I need to see her…
Meanwhile…
“Liara, come outside, dear,” her mother called gently. “The weather is beautiful today.”
“I don’t want to, Mom…”
“My weather is sad today.”
“Don’t do this to yourself.”
“Mom, don’t worry about me… I’ll be fine. With time,”
“Arin hasn’t said anything yet. And nothing like that will happen,” her mother reassured.
“Just stay positive.”
“Yes, Mom… you’re right.”
“Come and have lunch. You didn’t even eat breakfast.”
“I’m not hungry,” Liara muttered.
Her mother crossed her arms. “Fine. Then I won’t eat either.”
Liara sighed faintly. “Mom… you always blackmail me.”
“Good. Now come.”
Her mother walked out.
Liara stood there for a moment.
I’m sorry, Mom… but I can’t forget Arin.
She picked up her phone.
Should I call him?
No… not until he talks to me first.
“Liara!” Her mother called downstairs.
“I’m coming!” She replied.
As she stepped down,
“Perfect timing,” her mother said. “Sit, I’ll serve lunch.”
“No, Aunty… I just came to see Liara.”
Liara froze.
“Arin…”
She let out a slow breath.
“Take him to your room,” her mother said calmly.
Liara hesitated… then nodded. “Okay.”
She turned and walked upstairs.
Arin followed.
“Liara… you weren’t picking up my calls.”
“I was busy.”
“Liara, listen to me.”
He reached for her arm, pulling her slightly closer.
“I’ll talk to Dad.”
Liara pulled her arm back.
Arin tried to hold her hand again.
“Don’t touch me. Please.”
He froze.
“Liara… what’s wrong with you?”
“Just… practicing.”
She continued, her face turning serious, with no softness left. “I have an idea.”
Arin frowned slightly. “What idea?”
“Call your dad.”
His expression changed instantly.
“W-why?” He stammered.
No… If I call now, everything will be exposed…
“Why are you scared?” Liara stepped closer. “It’s okay… I’ll do it myself.”
Before he could react, she reached into his pocket.
“Liara, what are you doing?” Arin tried to stop her.
“Stand still,” she snapped, glaring at him.
A faint, dangerous smile appeared on her face.
“Got it.”She pulled out his phone.
She held the phone out to him.
“Now… unlock it.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwyfsIWqZK
and then Add to home screen.