Chapter 401

“Inns have a less-than-ideal environment; hotels would be a better choice,” Lillian suggested.

“With the money I have right now, I can only afford an inn,” Rosalie replied.

Lillian hurriedly added, “If you’re worried about not having enough money, I can-”

“Lillian, I appreciate your kindness, but I want to rely on myself,” Rosalie interjected, her inner thoughts echoing, “In the end, surviving in this world depends on one’s own efforts.”

Lillian opened her mouth but ultimately didn’t say anything. She knew Rosalie had her own pride!

After booking an inn, Lillian sent Callum out to buy some food. Then, inside the inn room, she finally broached the subject with Rosalie, asking what had happened and why she had unexpectedly ended things with Jonathan.

“He said he’s tired and doesn’t want to love me anymore. In reality, he never truly believed in me throughout our relationship,” Rosalie said with a bitter laugh, self-deprecatingly adding, “It seems like I’m just not cut out for love!”

“Rosalie, please don’t laugh like that. It really hurts to see you like this,” Lillian said as she hugged her tightly. “Rosalie, if you feel like crying, go ahead. Aren’t we best friends? No matter what, I’ll always be on your side! Jonathan hurt you, and in the future, I’ll help you find a better boyfriend. When the time comes, I’ll help you make him regret it! Don’t keep all your grievances and sadness bottled up inside.

When the time comes, let it out!”

Lillian kept urging.

Rosalie leaned against Lillian’s shoulder, sensing the chill slowly fading away from her body at that moment.

She came to the realization that, in the end, Lillian was her lifeline!

“Lillian is such an incredible friend; how could I ever repay her in the future?” she pondered.

“I… can’t cry,” Rosalie murmured softly. “I guess I’ve already cried all the tears I had to cry in the past.”

“You-”

“All right, Lillian, I’m not as fragile as you think. It’s just one heartbreak, and I’ve been through heartbreaks before,” Rosalie interrupted.

Lillian sighed and looked at Rosalie, adopting a casual tone. “You’re right, it’s just one heartbreak, nothing too big! You lost one, and there will be someone even better!”

“Someone better?” Rosalie thought, her eyes growing dimmer. She doubted whether she had the courage to start a third romance anytime soon.

In this lifetime, she might be destined for a solitary existence.

Lillian helped Rosalie unpack her things, and when Callum came up with dinner, they ate together with Rosalie.

When Callum arrived, he had even brought a cake and a birthday candle.

Lillian placed the candle on the cake; it was in the shape of “28,” and its vibrant color stood out.

“All right, we can finally have your birthday cake together. Make a wish, Rosalie!” Lillian encouraged, even though the day had been quite terrible, she still wanted Rosalie to have a good birthday.

She didn’t want Rosalie to spend her birthday without someone to share the cake.

“A wish…” Rosalie whispered to herself as she stared at the candlelight. Her original wish had been to grow old with Jonathan, raise children together, and create a happy family.

“But my wish now.” she pondered as she gently closed her eyes.

“So forget him, release this relationship from the depths of my heart. From this moment forward, forget the man named Jon. For me/Strico had nothing more than Jonathan!” she declared silently within her.

After making her wish, Rosalie slowly opened her eyes and watched the “28” shaped candle continue to burn before finally blowing it out.

“I’ll cut the cake,” Rosalie said, slicing three pieces and handing one each to herself, Lillian, and Callum.

Rosalie picked up her slice of cake and slowly savored each bite.

The cake, meant to be sweet, tasted bitter in her mouth.

After finishing the cake, Lillian started to clean up. She had initially intended to stay and keep Rosalie company but was met with Rosalie’s insistence. “You don’t need to stay with me. I want some time to rest by myself.”

Lillian hesitated for a moment and then said, “All right, take a good rest then! I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Rosalie nodded and, seeing Lillian’s worried expression, she added with a smile, “Lillian, I’ll be fine.”

However, that smile only made Lillian feel a deeper sense of bitterness.

As Lillian left the inn and got into Callum’s car, her face bore a furrowed brow.

“What’s wrong? Still worried about your friend?” Callum asked.

“Can I not worry? She says she’s fine, but can she really be fine? How can she possibly be fine?”

Lillian couldn’t help but feel even more discontented with Jonathan when she thought about it.”

She used to think so highly of Jonathan, but now, she just wanted to give herself a few good slaps!

“Take me to the Youngblood residence. I want to see Jonathan!” Lillian said angrily.

“Now?” Callum raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Yes, right now!” Lillian replied firmly. “If it’s inconvenient for you, I’ll take a taxi there myself.”

Lillian was about to open the car door and get out when Callum grabbed her arm and said, “There’s no inconvenience, but… are you mentally prepared for this? You want to seek justice for your friend and vent your anger, but it might also mean offending Jonathan.”

“I don’t care if I offend him! I’m just an ordinary person. What do I have to be afraid of?” The thought of Rosalie’s forced smiles made Lillian tremble with anger.

Callum didn’t say anything more. He simply started the car and headed toward the Youngblood residence.

The night was dark, and when they arrived at the entrance of the Youngblood residence, Lillian desperately pounded on the iron gate, pressed the doorbell repeatedly, and shouted inside. “Come out, let Jonathan come out I have questions for him!”

But no matter how much she shouted and made a scene, Jonathan didn’t come out. Instead, a group of security guards from the Youngblood residence appeared, warning Lillian that if she didn’t leave, they would call the police.

Callum then pulled Lillian back into the car. “How about another day? If you really want to talk to Jonathan for Rosalie, I’ll find an opportunity for you.”

Lillian was momentarily stunned, her gaze fixed on the person before her, her expression puzzled. In an instant, she grasped the situation. Callum had brought her here to see Jonathan, and if Jonathan had indeed shown up and she had scolded him, potentially offending him, what would it mean for Callum? It would imply that Callum had also incurred Jonathan’s displeasure.

“Are you offering me a chance to give Jonathan a piece of my mind? Have you considered that by doing so, you’re also offending Jonathan?”

“So what?” He chuckled. “By coming here with you today, I’ve already mentally prepared myself for that possibility.”