
Fireworks Fade, Love Never Returns
Ladys · Completed · 7.3k Words
Introduction
I had seen the normally woman-repelling Xie Zhouyan turn red with jealousy just because my sister smiled at someone else—he kissed her fiercely for a full hour.
Later, he was exiled to the northwest by his family, my sister ran away, and their engagement was annulled.
Only I followed him, without a second thought.
For those five years, I stayed with Xie Zhouyan in a basement, drank cheap liquor, and even took a knife cut for him.
In those darkest days, he held me and said I was his only light.
With tears in his eyes, he promised he would marry me the moment he rose to power again.
But one week before our wedding, my sister came back.
The second he heard she might be in danger, he threw all sense to the wind.
With me, eight months pregnant, in the car, he ran over a dozen red lights, speeding all the way to 120 miles an hour.
When we arrived, he stepped out of the car in long strides and never looked back.
Our enemies took the chance to ram the car—with me still inside—into a tree.
When I opened my eyes again, Xie Zhouyan’s eyes were bloodshot.
“Youyou, your sister hurt her leg. To calm her down, I’m marrying her next week.”
I touched my swollen belly and nodded.
“Don’t worry, it’s just a ceremony.”
I looked out the window. The sun was shining bright.
Spring had come.
And it was time for me to leave.
Chapter 1
James Smith and my sister were childhood sweethearts who got engaged when they were young. I once saw James, who usually kept his distance from women, turn red-eyed just because my sister smiled at someone else, and then kissed her fiercely for an hour.
Later, his family sent him away to Emberfall City. My sister ran off, and the engagement was canceled.
Only I followed him without hesitation.
For those five years, I stayed with James in that basement apartment, drinking cheap alcohol and taking knife wounds for him.
In those darkest days, he held me and said I was his only light.
With red eyes, he promised me that once he made his comeback, he would marry me.
But a week before our wedding, my sister came back.
When he heard she might be in danger, he lost all sense.
With me eight months pregnant in the car, he ran over a dozen red lights, speeding at 120 mph.
When we got there, he got out and strode away without looking back.
His enemies took the chance to get in the car and crashed it into a tree with me inside.
When I opened my eyes again, James's eyes were red.
"Olivia Smith, your sister hurt her leg. To calm her down, I'm marrying her next week."
I touched my swollen belly and nodded.
"Don't worry, it's just a ceremony."
I looked out the window at the bright sunshine.
Spring had come, and it was time for me to leave.
"We'll divorce but not separate. You don't have to leave my house."
He hadn't even married Cleo Smith yet, but it was already "his house."
I forced a smile.
"After the wedding, I'll take you skiing in Astoria. You've always wanted to go to Astoria, right?"
Just then, the doctor pushed the door open, frowning.
"Ms. Smith, you need to be more careful from now on. Eight broken ribs, and your right leg nearly had a compound fracture. If you'd arrived any later, forget the baby - even God couldn't have saved your life."
The doctor continued his instructions.
"As the father, you need to pay attention and take good care of the mother and child."
I found it laughable.
Right now, his heart and eyes were full of Cleo. How could he possibly want to care for me and our baby?
Once the doctor left, only silence filled the room.
I gently touched my belly.
"You're getting married, so what about our baby?"
James's face froze for a moment, then showed clear impatience.
"I already said it's just a ceremony. What's the point of using the child to pressure me now?"
"Olivia, can't you be more reasonable?"
The door was suddenly pushed open.
"Olivia!"
Cleo - my sister, and the person James loved.
"I'm the one who's wronged you! Don't fight with James because of me..."
She rushed over and grabbed my hand tightly, her nails digging deep into my flesh.
"I was just scared at first... Later I told James I was fine... but he insisted on coming..."
She pulled, and the IV needle in my hand shifted position.
Blood flowed out, forming blooms on the white sheets.
But James didn't even notice.
"Olivia."
He frowned at me, his tone disgusted.
"Don't make a fuss with Cleo over such small things. She's injured too, and the wedding is tomorrow. Don't upset her."
In that instant, all the pain from my arm shot straight to my heart.
"It's fine. You and Cleo go ahead with your wedding."
I looked into his eyes and said seriously.
As soon as I finished speaking, Cleo immediately threw herself into his arms, crying and pulling at his sleeve.
"James, don't force Olivia... She must feel terrible."
She turned her head, looking at me with teary eyes.
"Olivia, are you really okay with this? Next week... can you be my bridesmaid? Just... just accompany me one last time."
"If you don't want to, that's fine... then I'll give James back to you..."
Before I could respond, James's voice came down like ice and iron.
"You have to go. Cleo and I were engaged to begin with."
"If nothing had happened back then, I would have married her long ago. These past few years, you've been holding us back."
"Next week you must be the bridesmaid to make amends, so she can recover in peace."
"Make amends..."
I whispered softly.
I stayed with him in that dark, damp basement for five years, barely getting three meals a day, constantly sick.
I accompanied him on business trips, drinking all night until I had stomach bleeding, leaving me with health problems that would last a lifetime.
I took a knife for him, hemorrhaging and lying in the hospital for three days and nights, nearly dying on the operating table.
Every single thing, with all my heart and soul, was my true devotion.
But now, from his mouth, I was the one holding him back, I was the one who needed to make amends.
I watched him carefully protecting Cleo, then glanced at her leg that was just slightly scraped but wrapped up tight, and suddenly laughed until I cried.
He couldn't see that I, eight months pregnant, nearly died in that car yesterday.
He couldn't see my eight broken ribs.
He couldn't see my injuries all over.
He could only see that tiny wound on Cleo's leg.
He could only see her tears, her fragility, her grievances.
He even trampled on me, humiliated me.
For a moment, the absurdity outweighed the bitterness.
"Fine, I'll go."
James was clearly stunned, seemingly not expecting me to agree so readily.
I spoke first.
"Don't worry, I'll be a good bridesmaid and wish you both a 'lifetime of happiness together.'"
James looked at me with a mocking smile.
I knew what he was thinking - that I was just playing hard to get.
Too bad he guessed wrong this time.
"I hope you keep your word."
With that, he took Cleo's hand and left without looking back.
The door slammed shut. I looked down and touched my belly.
"Baby, how about mommy takes you away?"
A gentle movement in my belly, as if in agreement.
I smiled and picked up my phone, booking a flight to Astoria for a week later.
James, the baby and I don't want you anymore.
A week from now, at your wedding, I'll set you both free.
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