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Chapter 9
When I landed in a small coastal town in Miami, I immediately saw news of the “Hayes–Parker union” trending on TikTok
Tyler must have been eager to marry Olivia–the original engagement ceremony had been changed to a wedding
Though the time was tight, money could accomplish anything. The venue was decorated lavishly and grandly.
The comments were full of well–wishes:
“The groom is so handsome! The bride is gorgeous too. They’re perfect together.”
“Congratulations to Mr. Hayes for finally fulfilling his wish and winning his lady.”
“Um, am I the only one who thinks the groom’s smile looks forced? Like someone’s holding a knife to his back.”
I had dreamed countless times about marrying Tyler.
It didn’t need to be luxurious or have many guests. I had always yearned for a beach wedding because I had never laid my eyes on the ocean before.
In my dreams, my love would hold a bouquet of flowers and gently guide me, step by step, towards a blissful future.
Now I’ve finally seen the ocean I’ve long dreamt of, yet he’s married–just not to me.
No longer having to work multiple jobs to make ends meet, I suddenly had tens of thousands of dollars and wanted ·
to start a small business.
After looking at many storefronts, I found most rents too expensive. With renovation and other setups, my funds
would barely cover it.
At a loss, a real estate agent suddenly contacted me, saying there was a small coffee shop by the sea that also offered a library section. The owner wanted to transfer it at an unbelievably low price.
Coffee and reading? That was exactly the kind of shop I wanted to open!
I never expected that even I could come across such a remarkably lucky coincidence!
I rushed over and discovered the shop was decorated exactly as I would have wanted, requiring no additional renovations. It was two stories, with several rooms upstairs that could even serve as a small bed and breakfast.
Most importantly, the price was so low it seemed like a scam.
On the day of signing the contract, the owner finally appeared. I stared at him in utter disbelief and shock.:
“Ethan?? This shop is yours?”
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Five years Lies He Gave A Lonely Grave I Paved
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Ethan nodded with a smile:
“Yes, I’ve had it for a while. You know my family is well–off, and I don’t have much energy to manage this small place, so I wanted to find someone trustworthy to transfer it to. When I heard you were here, I thought it would be perfect. Consider it helping me out. I’ve put a lot of effort into this shop years ago, and I can’t bear to sell it to a stranger.”
“I’m taking some time off and want to relax by the sea. Would you mind if I used one of the guest rooms upstairs?”
I looked at the brand–new tables and chairs, clearly recently installed.
But rich young men always have strange whims, so I nodded and signed the contract without overthinking it.
Soon after, news of the Hayes heiress’s pregnancy made headlines.
In the images, Tyler trudged out of the hospital, his face a mask of indifference, while beside him, Olivia beamed with unbridled joy.
Seeing such news, my heart felt nothing at all.
Ethan said he’d stay a few days but ended up staying for half a year.
Often, I would be calculating accounts at the front desk while he sat in the corner reading. When mealtimes came, he would cook, claiming it was his rent payment.
I felt awkward about it–after all, this had been his shop, and he had transferred it to me at such a low price.
What’s more, he even cooked for me every day, coming up with different dishes all the time. Having said that, he was really good at cooking.
Whenever I asked if he needed to return to work, he would smile and say:
“My brother is in charge of the family company, and I can work remotely. Besides, I don’t dare go back! My brother says a grown man like me still being single is embarrassing. He threatened to kick me out if I don’t take a good wife
home.”
“Therefore, obviously… I’m trying.
I could hear the hidden meaning in his words, and I felt my face flush with heat.
But from that day on, our relationship seemed to grow much closer.
A few months later, two young girls came to the shop, gossiping excitedly together:
“Hey, did you hear? Mr. Hayes’s chairman had a baby boy–so adorable! But poor Mrs. Hayes. She had some ki mental breakdown after giving birth and got admitted to a psychiatric hospital.”
“It was probably a postpartum depression. But compared to that, Mr. Hayes’s mother had a stroke the other day. She can’t even speak and lost mobility. Now she’s confined to a nursing home.”
Divo voare lies He Gave A Lonely Grave I Paved
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Chapter 9
My hand trembled, spilling hot water directly onto my skin. I let out a pained hiss.
Ethan quickly rushed over to help me rinse with cold water. The concern in his eyes made it seem as if he was the one who’d been hurt.
I forced a smile and said, “It’s fine. I’m not that pampered.”
Ethan gently examined my finger and insisted, “No, you need to be ‘pampered‘. Otherwise, what am I here for?”
I smiled shyly without pushing him away. Some things I’d already accepted in my heart.
The next moment, an angry familiar voice suddenly rang out:
“What are you two doing?!”
