No More Love-Struck Fool

I jerked my eyes open, and my gaze met the familiar off-white ceiling. A faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air—the distinctive smell of the old wardrobe at home. That scent made my heart skip a beat—was this the very afternoon after my twentieth birthday? I pushed myself up, my eyes scanning the room. The birthday gift box I hadn't finished opening yesterday still lay on the desk, the pothos leaves on the windowsill glistening with morning dew—everything aligned with a pivotal moment in my memory. "Stacy, if you're awake, come out. There's something I need to tell you." Father's voice drifted in from the living room, heavier than usual. I threw back the quilt and climbed out of bed, my feet sinking into the soft carpet, my fingertips still tracing the fabric's texture. Walking to the door, I took a deep breath and pushed it open. Father sat on the sofa opposite, holding a cup of warm green tea. The rosewood tea table was polished to a shine, with two photographs placed on it, drawing immediate attention. The person in the photo on the left was Hugo Green. He wore a white shirt, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips, his eyes alive with the boldness of youth. It was this man—I loved him for ten long years, married him for five, and in the end, he pushed me into an endless abyss. The man in the photograph on the right is Caleb Parker, the wealthiest man in S City. He wore a black suit, standing tall with a calm and steady look in his sharp eyes. In my past life, I never crossed paths with him—I only saw his name and photograph in financial magazines. Memories of my past life suddenly surged, crashing over me like a relentless tide. Hugo Green's coldness after marriage, his mother's cruel torment, the endless days waiting alone in the empty villa, and finally, lying in a hospital bed watching cancer cells slowly spread—the despair... Those scenes wrapped around my heart like vines, suffocating me. "Stacy, look at these two." Father set the teacup on the table, his voice slowing. "The Green Family has been close with us for generations, and you've known Hugo since you were little." The Parker Family holds strong influence in S City; Caleb is steady and reliable. "Your marriage—Dad wants you to choose for yourself." I gazed at the two photographs, my fingertips trembling slightly. In my past life, I chose Hugo Green without hesitation, thinking it was a pursuit of love, never expecting it to be the start of walking into hell. "Dad, I choose Caleb Parker." I spoke, my voice firmer than I had anticipated, without a hint of hesitation. Father froze mid-motion with the teacup, his eyes wide with surprise. He obviously hadn't expected me to abandon my childhood sweetheart Hugo Green and choose someone nearly a stranger. I clenched my palm tightly, my nails biting deep into the flesh. The sharp pain confirmed this was no dream. This time, I truly have a chance to rewrite my destiny. Father was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. He picked up his phone, fingers gliding across the screen. 'Alright, Dad will contact the Parker Family right away to finalize the marriage agreement.' Watching my father's back as he spoke on the phone, I walked to the window and pushed it open. The morning breeze brushed against my cheeks, carrying a faint scent of flowers—the fragrance of gardenias from the courtyard. Sunlight spilled onto the nearby plane trees; their leaves shimmered with a golden glow. Everything was alive with vitality. I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of the wind. In this life, I will never make the same mistake again. I will live a life unlike any before.