Ashes of a Bloomed Heart

I try seducing my fiance, Vernon Floyd, 999 times. But even when I'm shirtless, his only concern is whether I'm cold. I assume that Vernon is a traditional guy, who wants to do it until we're married. But on the day of our anniversary, I discover that he has secretly booked a hotel famous for couples' getaways in the city. That night, I arrive at the VIP suite full of hope. In the end, all I see is Vernon and his childhood sweetheart passionately kissing each other as the crowd cheers. I wait outside the VIP suite for a long time. Finally, I understand that he doesn't love me. After leaving the hotel, I call my family. "Dad, I don't want to marry Vernon anymore. I want to marry Dylan instead!" Dad spits out his coffee and says, "Avril, Mr. Walker got into a car accident a few years ago. I heard that he's impotent. If you marry him, you won't have any children!" By then, I am already disheartened. "It doesn't matter whether I have children or not." Chapter 1 As soon as Mom heard what I said, she quickly snatched the phone from Dad and asked, "Avril, you've always loved kids. What happened today?" Mom knew I always donated books and toys to the orphanage every year. It was obvious that I adored children. Then, Mom said to me in a low voice, "That Mr. Walker is known to be injured from the waist down. He might be impotent. "All these years, not a single young woman was willing to marry him! Besides, Mr. Walker did propose to you several times. You kept refusing him, didn't you?" After hearing what Mom said, I looked at a photo in my phone gallery. Dylan Walker was a handsome young man with broad shoulders and long legs. I already thought about it. Despite Dylan's good looks, he was most likely impotent. However, marrying him was much better than spending the rest of my life with Vernon Floyd, who still had feelings for his childhood sweetheart. A knife seemed to pierce through my heart as I recalled everything I heard for half the night. Dad realized my tone sounded off and asked cautiously, "When will you break up with that prude boyfriend of yours? Once that is done, then we'll set up a meeting with Mr. Walker." "Let's meet in three days. Once I've handled things on my side, I'll return immediately for my engagement to Mr. Walker." After leaving the hotel, I returned to the apartment I had shared with Vernon for the past six years. I recalled how I met Vernon's gaze across the crowd before. Although he seemed a little surprised to see me there, he merely frowned before leading the young woman to their seats. There were roses, champagne, a piano melody from a love song, and a romantic candlelit dinner for two. Over the past six years of being with Vernon, I never once had dinner with him at a place like this. As I turned to leave, I realized Vernon's good friends were there as well. One of them had posted the news of Vernon's reservation at the hotel for couples' getaways on Instagram. Before leaving, I even heard them wolf-whistling and applauding. "Indeed, you two are a perfect match. After so many years, you guys have finally made it official!" "Come on! Let's raise our glasses and wish this happy couple a happy ending!" I smiled bitterly to myself. For the past six years, I had always been by Vernon's side. His good friends knew everything about Vernon and his childhood sweetheart but had no idea of my relationship with him. A bitter feeling rose within my heart. Today was my sixth anniversary with Vernon. When I found out about his reservation at that hotel, I knew I was ready to take the next step in our relationship. But now, the joy had turned into a bitterness that consumed me from inside out. Once I was home, a delivery man brought an anniversary cake—right at midnight. On the box was a card with Vernon's handwriting. "From now on, I hope you'll be by my side every day." The delivery man shot me an envious smile. "Miss, your boyfriend's really good to you. He ordered the most luxurious cake from our shop and even requested that we deliver it on time. He even personally wrote that note on the box!" I opened the door and took the cake from the delivery man. Then, I casually set it on the table. So, Vernon still remembered that today was our sixth anniversary. But what did he do tonight? I slumped weakly against the couch and stared at the empty room before me. I couldn't help but tear up. The room was filled with traces of our life together. Yet Vernon had booked a hotel room and slept with another woman for the night. Looking at the cake made me disgusted. All I wanted to do was throw up. I sat on the couch for a long time and lost track of time. Suddenly, the apartment door opened. Chapter 2 Vernon had returned, looking exhausted. He was even holding a bouquet of fresh flowers. He walked toward me with no trace of guilt or remorse. "Avril, I brought you your favorite roses." Red roses represented sincere and passionate love. Right now, those flowers looked like a joke in Vernon's hands. I accepted the roses. Thinking that I was no longer angry, Vernon began to explain. "It's Peggy Cahill. She's been diagnosed with bone cancer. All she wants is to marry me. "Since I grew up with her, there's no way I'd let her down. We're getting engaged in three days. You've always been considerate. You understand why I'm doing this, right?" From Vernon's tone, it didn't sound like he was explaining himself. It was more like he was informing me of his decision to get engaged with Peggy Cahill. What a coincidence. I would be leaving in three days too. I nodded in silence. In the past, Vernon could never stand how emotionally sensitive I was. He said I always sought reassurance from him whenever there was a minor issue. I would keep asking him whether he loved me. Eventually, I got rid of that attitude and also learned how to be patient. I didn't make a fuss, nor did I keep asking Vernon whether he still loved me. Vernon cast me a glance, looking somewhat startled. "I'll be moving in with Peggy tomorrow. For the next few months, you might have to put up with being alone. Peggy's a patient. Compared to you, she needs my company more than ever." I set the roses down with a smile. Seeing that I hadn't objected to his decision, Vernon approached me, wanting to caress my face. In the past, Vernon never took the initiative to touch me. But this time, I subtly moved away from him. A clear lipstick mark was visible on the collar of his shirt. The sickly sweet smell of perfume on him drifted into my nostrils, making me feel like I was about to throw up. Vernon became furious, knowing that he had been rejected. Without a word, he quickly left the apartment. I tossed the roses and cake into the rubbish bin. Then, I started packing my things. I didn't want those flowers. I no longer wanted Vernon in my life either. As for the apartment where I had lived for six years, I was no longer attached to it. Chapter 3 The next day, I returned to the office. I was at my desk, holding the resignation letter I printed. I had gotten to know Vernon at college, and that was where we fell in love too. After he got a job at this tech company, I followed him there as well. I rejected any plans Mom and Dad had made for me and started out in an entry-level position at the company. After getting together with Vernon, I did everything I could to tease him. However, it didn't matter if I wore something revealing, pretended to have fallen into his lap by accident, or tried to kiss him while I was drunk. As long as we crossed the line, Vernon would fiddle with the rosary beads around his wrist. Then, he would look at me calmly with restraint. He seemed like a man with no desires—a saint who accidentally ended up in the human world. It had been six years since we got together. From the moment I learned that Vernon had made a reservation at the hotel, I was filled with hope, thinking that he was ready to take things to the next level. In the end, it was just my wishful thinking. A colleague nearby walked toward me. Once she noticed the resignation letter on my laptop, she was slightly taken aback. "Avril, you'll be promoted to director soon. Why are you resigning all of a sudden?" I smiled. "I'm getting married soon. When the time comes, I'll get a new job." My colleague, Lisa Fisher, congratulated me with a smile. "Lately, everyone at the office seems to be getting married. Last night, I saw Mr. Floyd's Instagram post. He's getting engaged! "It's no surprise that Mr. Floyd and his girlfriend are a perfect match. I heard they're childhood sweethearts. "Back then, I was wondering who could ever melt his heart. He's so stoic! Now, I know better. It could only be his first love!" Suddenly, I found it hard to smile. I checked my phone and realized that Vernon had blocked me on his main and alternate Instagram account. Vernon's main account was for personal use. After he left the apartment last night, he blocked me on Instagram right away. On the other hand, Vernon's alternate account was used for work, and all of our conversations there were purely professional. At that moment, Vernon led Peggy into the office. Peggy's face was glowing, and a radiant smile played on her lips. She didn't look like someone who was supposed to be sick. Vernon began introducing Peggy to everyone in the office. "She's our new Technical Director, Peggy Cahill. Let's welcome her. You'll be working closely together in the future." Lisa looked startled. Her gaze shifted between me and Peggy. Finally, she greeted Peggy, saying, "Hello, Ms. Cahill!" I said nothing as I tightened my grip on the resignation letter. But Vernon stared at me with displeasure. "Avril, everyone's already greeted the new director. What's this behavior?" Peggy chuckled before extending her hand to me. "We'll be working closely in the future. Let's support each other." As soon as I reached out to shake her hand, Vernon pulled Peggy's hand back. "You're a director, so there's no need for you to be so polite with these entry-level employees. Come on. I'll show you around so you can get acquainted." Vernon and Peggy walked away, leaving me behind with my hand still extended. I was still rooted to the spot in shock, looking like a clown. Lisa pulled me aside to our desks and began gossiping. "Avril, you saw her earlier, right? That's Mr. Floyd's fiancée! "That pink diamond necklace around her neck was given by Mr. Floyd. I heard it's worth millions! But what he did was way too obvious! "You've been working at the company for five years. Everyone here knows how capable you are. But Mr. Floyd just gave your spot away so easily to someone else!" I nodded distractedly. From the start, I already planned on resigning from my job. After Vernon passed me over and made Peggy director, it was even clearer to me now that I meant nothing to him. With the documents and my resignation letter in hand, I knocked on the door to Vernon's office. "Come in." . I set everything on the table, including all the information I had to hand over after my resignation. Vernon flipped through those files, and his expression darkened even further. Finally, he looked up at me with a disdainful smirk. "Avril, I thought you already turned over a new leaf yesterday, and you won't throw tantrums anymore. Now, you're back to your usual self?" With that, Vernon threw the files toward me, aiming for my face. I stood aside and managed to dodge the files. Then, I crouched on the floor and began picking up what Vernon had thrown to the floor. Vernon explained, "All Peggy did was take your chance for a promotion. Besides, she and I studied the same major. "I have full confidence in her abilities, and that's why I made her Technical Director. You're still working at an entry-level position after five years. There's no need to be this angry!" I stacked the files together before setting them on Vernon's desk. I said calmly, "I'm not angry. All I want is to resign." Peggy and Vernon studied the same major, and he claimed that he knew her abilities very well. But what about me? I studied jewelry design during college. Later, I ended up pursuing a second degree for Vernon and worked very hard day and night so I could catch up with him. In the end, all my efforts were worthless to him. Vernon shot me a condescending glare. "Don't you know how useless you are? I've already transferred you to work under Peggy. In the future, watch and learn from her." I smiled. "My time is precious too. I won't ever work on anything I'm not interested in." "Fine! Then, leave! Let's see which company would even want to hire you!" With that, Vernon got up from his office chair and looked at me, his gaze filled with malice. I turned to leave his office. Vernon and I had been together for six years, which were all for nothing. But in the future, my world would never revolve around him anymore. After all, he expected me to look up to Peggy. Chapter 4 At noon, I returned to my desk to pack up my things. An asteroid figurine sat on the table. It was Vernon who carved it for me after graduation. Back then, he even said that I would be his whole world. I let out a self-deprecating laugh. I gave the figurine one last glance and finally decided to take it along with me. I held a box of my belongings. I was about to leave when Peggy suddenly hurried into the office, looking panicked. "My apologies, everyone. The necklace I wore today seems to have gone missing. Could everyone please cooperate for a quick search?" Everyone in the office began whispering to each other. "I saw Ms. Cahill's necklace earlier when she first came to the office. The diamonds on it were huge! So bright and sparkly!" "I think Ms. Cahill was being nice about it. I bet someone got greedy after seeing that necklace, so they stole it!" "My goodness! We actually have a thief in our office. No wonder my biscuits and snacks kept going missing from my table!" Vernon stood next to Peggy. After ordering security to block off all exits, they began searching everyone. Once it was my turn, I set the box down so I could cooperate with the search. Clearly, Vernon was momentarily startled upon noticing the asteroid figurine at the very top of the box. However, he still asked security to dump all the contents of the box onto the floor. Everything fell to the floor with a loud crash. The figurine was completely smashed to bits. It was like my relationship of six years with Vernon. Once there were cracks, things between us could never be fixed again. A few guards started going through the contents on the floor. Suddenly, Peggy covered her mouth and gasped. "My necklace!" Her gasp of surprise drew everyone's attention. All eyes fell on me, and everyone began criticizing me behind my back. "Oh my! It was Avril who stole the new director's necklace! If Mr. Floyd hadn't blocked the office exits, she would've been long gone with it!" "I never expected Avril to be that kind of person! We really can't judge a book by its cover. All the new director did was take Avril's promotion. She's so petty!" "Avril's really narrow-minded. I never realized she would do sneaky stuff like that. I'm glad she's already resigned. Otherwise, I'd be nervous to work in the same room as her!" I turned extremely pale. I definitely did not steal Peggy's necklace. Someone had tampered with my things once I left to submit my resignation. Fury was written all over Vernon's face as he picked up the pink diamond necklace from the pile of junk. He looked extremely disappointed in me. "Avril!" Vernon yelled my name furiously. I looked over and noticed he had stepped all over my things. He even stomped hard on the shattered pieces of the asteroid figurine. As soon as I looked up, Vernon slapped me without a word. "Apologize to Peggy! Why did you steal the necklace I gave her?" At that moment, I lost all hope. Vernon was still holding the million-dollar necklace he had given to Peggy, and the cheap figurine he had given me was crushed under his foot. The figurine wasn't even worth a fraction of the necklace. Tears instantly welled up in my eyes. Sure, my colleagues had misunderstood me. But Vernon and I had dated for six years. His slap had left me heartbroken. Vernon actually didn't believe me. Seeing that I hadn't responded, Vernon dragged me toward Peggy as if I was nothing but trash. He snapped at me, "I asked you to apologize! Explain why you stole her necklace!" A satisfactory glint flashed through Peggy's eyes. But very quickly, she pretended to frown before reaching out to pull me up from the cold floor. I shook Peggy's hand off. I clung to my last shred of pride as I got to my feet. Although my eyes were brimming with tears, I stood tall and yelled, "I didn't take the necklace! There are surveillance cameras in the office. I want you to show the footage so I can prove that I'm innocent! "Besides, it's just a diamond necklace! It's nothing to me!" Chapter 5 "That's enough! Stop causing a fuss!" Vernon covered my mouth before dragging me outside the office. He pressed his hand against my mouth and nose so hard, as if he were trying to suffocate me. I heard Peggy chuckling with my colleagues in the office. She remarked, "Since I found my necklace, I didn't end up losing anything. "Avril and I are colleagues, so I've decided to let it slide. I'll buy afternoon tea for everyone later. Thank you for cooperating with our search!" Vernon seemed terrified that I would expose my relationship with him in front of everyone. So, he led me to the pantry. "Tell me! What are you actually up to? No matter how angry you are, you shouldn't go overboard." Vernon said while pinching his temples. He seemed extremely troubled by the incident. I was gasping for air. There were dark bruises on my face where he had gripped hard. "When did you become like this? You're lucky that Peggy was generous enough to forgive you. I want you to apologize to her immediately!" "I won't apologize to her. If I didn't steal her necklace, why should I take the blame?" I glared at Vernon. He asked when I had changed. Well, I wanted to know when he became someone I no longer knew. Peggy entered the pantry. She filled a paper cup with some hot water and handed it to me. "Avril, have some water and calm down. I know you're holding a grudge against me now, but you shouldn't be so rash next time." I didn't accept the cup of water. However, Peggy got burned by the hot water in the cup and ended up splashing the water onto my arm. "Oh! It burns…" The hot water scalded Peggy's finger. Vernon hurriedly led her to the tap and placed her finger under the running water. As for me, I was dressed lightly. The hot water had soaked through my chiffon top, scalding my arm instantly. I went to the restroom to handle the burn on my own. Very quickly, red blisters began forming on my left wrist. Despite the pain, I returned to my workstation to pack my things. Suddenly, Vernon appeared and grabbed my wrist, causing me to hiss in pain. Clearly startled, he let go of me and asked awkwardly, "Are you okay?" I was slightly amused. My cheek had turned red from Vernon's slap. Peggy even scalded my wrist on purpose. Vernon's feigned look of concern made me want to throw up. I shook his hand off before tossing the things that had fallen onto the floor into the rubbish bin. Vernon seemed like he was about to say more but decided to walk away. All he said was, "You were too rash today." After picking up all my scattered belongings on the floor, I headed for the office's surveillance room. I wasn't about to let Vernon and Peggy slander me for nothing. However, I came to a standoff with the employee in the surveillance room. I mentioned that I wanted to check the surveillance footage from the morning in the office. However, the employee stopped me and said I had no right to check the footage. I realized that my employee account had been blacklisted and deleted. Clearly, Vernon was behind this. He was already determined to take Peggy's side and was certain that I had stolen her necklace. I smiled bitterly. I never knew that the stoic Vernon could be blinded by love. Very quickly, I remembered that this tech company belonged to the Walkers. I decided to hurry home and meet Dylan. I returned to the apartment where I had lived for the past six years and moved all my belongings out of the place. At the same time, I wiped out all traces of my relationship with Vernon. It was like I had just taken out the trash in my life. At night, another delivery man dropped off a premium burn ointment. All I did was toss it onto the table. Before leaving, I gave this empty apartment one last glance. The next day, I booked a flight ticket to Paloria. I also handed over all my unfinished work and gave some instructions to the ex-colleague who had taken over my place. On the third day, I wheeled my luggage into the airport. Before boarding the plane, I sent a breakup message to Vernon's alternate account.