Chapter 25
The family drove north. With time before the wedding, they took a leisurely journey. In college, Evelyn had envied classmates who could travel freely as an orphan, she’d barely managed to support herself.
Even being close to Sophia, she’d never felt comfortable accepting their family’s offers to fully fund her
travels.
Evelyn had recovered well. Passing through a mountainous province, Lucas took her and Eva hiking. Though exhausting, the moment they reached the summit brought complete clarity.
Just like her new life these past six months.
In the city, Emma eagerly welcomed them to the small villa she and Marcus had mortgaged. Marcus had unexpectedly thrived in sales at Issac’s company.
“He’s really talented,” Emma proudly praised her husband. “He was always great at gathering information. This career suits him perfectly – he’s flourishing!”
Marcus playfully pinched her arm.
They seemed less like a married couple an
d more like children playing house. When Evelyn whispered this observation to Lucas, she accidentally brushed his lips.
Lucas’s face immediately flushed red.
Though they’d been dating for six months, they hadn’t taken further steps. Lucas worried that past relationship trauma remained a sharp thorn in Evelyn’s heart. But Evelyn wasn’t rushing, often teasing
her slightly younger partner.
Three days before the wedding, seeing Emma in her white dress stirred something in Evelyn.
At thirty, she didn’t want to wait much longer, but Lucas seemed oblivious.
The wedding invitation had gone to Issac. Though he hadn’t confirmed his attendance, he’d sent them each generous wedding gifts.
As everything fell into place, the wedding march filled the air under the pianist’s fingers. Eva showed no stage fright, carrying her flower basket behind Emma, her adorable presence drawing smiles from the
guests.
19:30
It’s Too Late for Your Expired Regrets
17.8%
Chapter 29
After the solemn ceremony, Evelyn noticed Lucas had disappeared
Scanning the crowd, she spotted an unexpected figure. Issac looked healthier than before, though maintaining his usual reserved demeanor. Their eyes met across the room. She raised her glass in acknowledgment, and he returned the gesture.
With that toast, it seemed their past the love, hate, joy, and sorrow–was finally settled.
During the bouquet toss, Eva eagerly pulled Evelyn into the crowd. The September sun nearly blinded her. After several attempts, Emma kept hold of her bouquet, then deliberately ran to Evelyn, placing it in
her hands.
The moment Evelyn felt the flowers, she froze. The guests parted, revealing Lucas in his suit, looking
nervous.
Their eyes met, and Evelyn’s filled with tears.
“Don’t cry,” Lucas’s hands trembled as the crowd chuckled warmly. Evelyn hid her tears behind the bouquet, watching him through misty eyes as he stood there, lips pale with nerves. “Eve, L..”
Words couldn’t capture the moment. Lucas knelt on one knee, holding out an elegant ring. The newlyweds launched party poppers, showering them with petals and ribbons. Under falling golden confetti, the man she loved asked through tears:
“Eve, I love you. Will you marry me?”
Evelyn reached out her hand, nodding through her tears.
This was the happiness she’d fought so hard to find. Ahead lay a long, beautiful life together.
The surgery was successful. Under Lucas’s care, Evelyn finally found the courage to live. They chose to stay in the South for Eva’s recovery, where the sunshine was bright and the air was better for healing.
“Remember, living itself is a form of hope,” Lucas would often tell her. Evelyn knew she couldn’t waste this hard–earned second chance at life.
But the medical bills drained away like water. Eventually, Lucas had to return to his family business–the Reed Group. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything,” he assured her, holding her tight before leaving.
Evelyn refused to be Lucas’s burden.
During breaks between treatments, she began teaching herself various skills. She started with live streaming, initially just to pass time, but unexpectedly found herself at ease in front of the camera.
18.0
Chapter 25
Her gentle voice and natural charm quickly attracted a large following, earning her the nickname “The Thousand Faced Fox.”
Next came business management. After Eva’s school day, she would immerse herself in economics textbooks, Lucas often found her analyzing business cases late into the night, sometimes even practicing stock trading from her hospital bed.
What fascinated her most was new media operations. She keenly observed the rising trend of live commerce and began studying operational strategies and personal branding. Every evening, she devoted time to analyzing platform data.
During her hospital stays, Evelyn met Fredrica, another live streamer. They clicked instantly and became close friends. Fredrica shared industry insights that deepened Evelyn’s understanding of the business.
Through Fredrica, she met John, a men’s fashion live streamer, and Thomas, the rising figure skating star. This circle opened her eyes to a broader world. Gradually, she made a name for herself in the streaming industry.
However, Lucas changed after returning to the family business. First came the overtime, then the cold attitude, and finally, the shrewd look in his eyes replaced his gentleness. The Reed Group’s executive office seemed like a giant meat grinder, slowly wearing away his edges.
At a cocktail party, Lucas encountered Cathy, his first love. The woman in Chanel exuded mature feminine allure. Evelyn noticed the fleeting spark when their eyes met.
Lucas began traveling frequently, and his business trips somehow always coincided with Cathy’s performances.
He claimed it was for business, but Evelyn understood–everything was changing.
“Mom, I want to go to Oak Lane Academy,” Eva exclaimed excitedly one day. “Uncle Thomas says it’s really good.”
Evelyn paused. While it was indeed the best school in the city, it meant moving back.
She glanced at Lucas, buried in paperwork, who said without looking up, “Let her go. Most of my work is there anyway.”
Before moving back to the city, Evelyn had amassed millions of followers. Her streaming style was unique–she could elegantly present luxury goods one day and share bare–faced daily life the next. Fredrica became her right–hand woman as they planned their own streaming empire.
That night, Evelyn logged into her streaming account and changed her name to “Starlight.” If they were
18.19%
Chapter 25
starting over, they would do it properly. No one knew that this graceful woman on screen would become the future helm of Starlight Media.
The day they left the South, the sun was perfect. Standing at the airport, Evelyn looked back at the city that had given her hope of rebirth. Eva held her hand tightly, sensing her mother’s reluctance.
“Let’s go,” she whispered. Where the future lay, hope would follow.
But fate has a cruel sense of irony. On Eva’s first day at school, Evelyn received a call. Her daughter had been bullied, covered in wounds. And the perpetrator was connected to Lucas’s now–empty marriage.
(0)
回(0)
(0)
18..
