My One-Sided Love

10. Painful past

Johnny Lu took a sip of alcohol, his eyes bloodshot and filled with tears. His disheveled hair and sweaty face were evidence of his anguish. The marriage had been successfully registered, but he sat in the Lu Mansion, feeling like a coward. He couldn't bring himself to admit that he had been in love with the woman who was now his sister-in-law.

Wiping away his tears with the back of his arm, Johnny Lu gazed at the screen once more. His heart shattered into countless pieces, and he suffered greatly, realizing that his love had been misplaced. It wasn't the fact that Lily Black had married his elder brother for wealth and power instead of him that saddened him; it was the realization that he had loved the wrong person.

In the car, Mrs. Peng turned her head and looked at Lily Black, who wore a proud smile on her face. "Do you think San Lu is happy after marrying you?" Mrs. Peng sarcastically remarked.

"I don't care about his happiness. From now on, he has to care about my happiness," Lily replied with an air of attitude, causing Mrs. Peng to feel a sting in her throat.

"If you think that marrying him has made you the owner of Lu Corporation, you're mistaken," Mrs. Peng retorted, rolling her eyes. She smiled and continued, "Are you threatening me?"

"Why would I start thinking like that?" Lily shrugged and waved her hand dismissively. "Don't even bother."

Lily Black looked at her sternly and gritted her teeth. "I won't need to bother you anymore. Because... your husband is enough for that," she sarcastically snorted.

"What do you mean?" Mrs. Peng was annoyed.

"You don't even know him. What do you think? He married you easily and now he's yours? He's the greatest player who never gives up. He's a lion who sometimes takes two steps back for his prey," Mrs. Peng declared, fixing her sharp gaze upon Lily.

"If he's a lion, then from today, I am his wife," Lily Black responded, her expression void of emotion.

"Wife..." Mrs. Peng began to laugh, leaving Lily Black confused.

"I hope you have a pleasant night," Mrs. Peng said, stepping out of the car upon their arrival at the Lu Mansion.

As Lily Black entered the mansion, she was greeted with a grand and captivating welcome. As the daughter-in-law of the Lu Family, she held a different status within the mansion. The housekeeper led her towards San Lu's bedroom, but Lily Black hesitated, her eyes fixated on the handsome young man who emerged from the room.

"Young Madam, he is the younger son of the Lu Family," the housekeeper informed respectfully.

"I know," Lily responded arrogantly.

"Are you going to greet him?" the housekeeper politely inquired, but Lily offered no response. She continued to stare at his back as he descended the stairs on the opposite side and left the mansion, seemingly unaware of her presence.

Lily Black turned her head and looked at the door from which he had emerged. "Does he live there?" she asked.

"Yes, young madam. It is his bedroom, but no one is allowed to enter without permission," the housekeeper clarified.

"I see." Lily Black turned back and entered San Lu's bedroom. Tonight marked the first night of their marriage, and the room was adorned with flowers and candles. The white curtains billowed gently, and a sweet fragrance filled the air. Lily Black fastened the belt around her waist, admiring her alluring figure in the mirror. The black nightgown exuded seduction and made a striking impression. Proudly, she smiled and settled down to wait for her husband.

...

San Lu opened the bedroom door and his tired eyes fell upon the beautiful woman lying on the bed. He let out a sigh and closed the door, hanging his coat on the stand. Mona Daly, hearing the noise, lifted her head and gazed at the handsome man who appeared weary. With his sleeves rolled halfway up and his slightly tousled hair, he seemed exhausted. San Lu sat on the couch, leaning back with a deep sigh, and tightly closed his eyes.

Mona Daly rose from the bed and approached him, taking notice of his distressed expression, his furrowed eyebrows. Placing her soft palm on his thigh, she asked in her low and deep voice, "What's wrong?" San Lu opened his reddened eyes and looked at her intently. It felt as if her presence brought comfort, a sense of warmth that he hadn't felt in a while. There was a glimmer of hope emerging within him, drawn by her innocent face and beautiful eyes.

"Is something troubling you?" she blinked her eyes, concerned. San Lu grasped her palm that rested on his thigh tightly, as if he didn't want to let go. He gazed at her deeply and said, "Thank you for being here." The words slipped from his lips suddenly, and she smiled in response. It was he who had asked her to be in this hotel room every night, forbidding her from being with anyone else. Her smile was genuine, pure, and sincere.

Mona Daly glanced at his palm, the one gripping her smooth hand tightly. She noticed the injury that still required dressing, yet it seemed he hadn't paid attention to it. She raised her innocent eyes, studying him intently. "I'll change the bandage and dress it," she spoke in a low and deep voice. San Lu sighed and leaned back on the couch, remaining silent. Mona Daly released her hand from his grip and went to fetch the first aid kit.

San Lu observed her retreating figure as she left for the living room. He swallowed his emotions and closed his eyes tightly, trying to bear the weight of his reality. For the first time in his life, he felt helpless. He had been forced to marry that wicked woman for the sake of Lu Corporation and his father's wishes. It wasn't about seizing wealth and power for himself; he was willing to give up everything and hand it all to his younger brother, Johnny Lu. But he was concerned about the future of the company because Johnny had no interest in joining the business and lacked the knowledge to manage it. The fate of Lu Corporation could end up in the hands of unscrupulous individuals like Mrs. Peng and her brother, jeopardizing the company his father had built through hard work and dedication. San Lu endured this situation, sacrificing his own happiness, to protect Lu Corporation from falling into the clutches of those wicked people.

San Lu was aware that as long as he was alive, no one could harm the company. While he held the reins, he felt secure, except for the threat posed by Mrs. Peng. However, now his wife had also joined the conspiracy. She aimed to seduce him, hoping to conceive his child and eliminate San Lu from her path forever, seizing control of the company. It was nothing short of a war, and San Lu stood alone as the sole warrior fighting on his own behalf. He had to survive until the end to emerge victorious.

Lost in his thoughts, San Lu felt a gentle touch on his injured palm, bringing him back to the present moment. He kept his eyes closed, allowing her to tend to the wound. In her presence, he found solace at the end of the day. He carried a deep sense of guilt and self-hatred for leaving her behind, leading her down the path of prostitution.

Upon completing his studies and returning to A city, San Lu had searched tirelessly for her. He discovered the address where she used to live and inquired about her, only to learn that the Daly Family had tragically perished in an accident. The girl, however, had been taken away by her uncle. When he tracked down her uncle, he discovered that she had disappeared one night without a word to anyone. He relentlessly searched for her, but all his efforts yielded no trace of the girl. When he gained power and position in Lu Corporation, he entrusted Assistant Harry to conduct a thorough search once again. Even without finding any leads, he fervently wished every night that she was safe wherever she may be.

San Lu opened his eyes and beheld the beautiful woman sitting on the ground, tending to his wound with utmost care. The pain in his palm was nothing compared to the ache in his heart. It constricted with a surge of unfamiliar emotions, and he had to restrain himself from acting foolishly. She was the girl who used to address him as "senior." She was the girl who had played with him during their school days, despite her tender age and his teenage years. She was the girl for whom he had won the race, simply because she wished to see him emerge as the victor. How innocent and pure she had been back then, and how genuinely honest she remained even now.