After a long silence, he gave a slow nod, offering it as his answer.

The couple felt a sudden shortage of oxygen. They took a deep breath, their eyes filled with immense complexity as they looked at him.

"Since when? Why didn't you say something sooner? If you two were in a relationship, why on earth were you marrying Nina? Does Selina’s decision to immigrate have something to do with you as well?"

"How could you be so foolish! We’ve had a bond with the Sterling family for decades. If you two truly loved each other and were honest with us, do you think we wouldn't have supported you? How can you face Selina after what you’ve done? How can you face her parents?"

Julian’s mind was a mess; he had no answers for them.

Silence fell over the room once more.

After an unknown amount of time, he finally gained some clarity and took the initiative to speak.

"Everything that happened is entirely my fault. I'm going to Spain tomorrow to apologize to Selina."

Mr. and Mrs. Thorne let out a heavy sigh, their voices filled with helplessness.

"After a mistake like this, Selina must have left because she was completely disillusioned with you. Her parents probably don't even know about this yet. What's the use of you going alone? We'll go with you. We need to give them a formal apology ourselves."

Chapter 14

During their first month in Spain, the Sterlings finalized all their paperwork and moved into their new home.

After being busy with the immigration for nearly two months, the whole family was exhausted.

So, once everything was settled, the three of them booked a seaside vacation.

It was a crisp, clear autumn day. Selina lay on a beach chair, watching the waves gather and disperse, her mood slowly easing.

She idly opened her phone and was greeted by a flood of WeChat messages.

"Huge gossip! Selina, I heard Julian and Nina’s wedding was a total bust! Hahahahaha!"

"You missed the wedding! You should have seen Nina’s face—it was totally distorted with rage. Julian even got slapped twice. What a shame you weren't there!"

"I knew a shotgun engagement wouldn't last, haha. Breaking up on the wedding day is actually hilarious!"

One by one, the messages were all like this.

Selina only found it tedious.

She had just turned off her phone when Mrs. Sterling sat down beside her with two glasses of juice, handing her one with a light, cheerful tone.

"You've been sitting here for ages without moving an inch. Is this how you 'vacation'?"

Selina took a sip, her voice lazy.

"Of course it is. Sitting here watching the beautiful people... it’s quite pleasant."

Mrs. Sterling actually agreed with that point.

The mother and daughter chatted for a bit longer. Seeing she couldn't convince her daughter to get in the water, Mrs. Sterling left her phone behind and wandered off.

Selina adjusted her sun hat and was about to reapply some sunscreen when her mother’s phone rang.

She saw it was Mrs. Thorne. After a few seconds of hesitation, she pressed the answer button.

"Jade, we’ve arrived in Madrid. Are you guys home?"

Madrid?

We?

Selina’s eyelid twitched as a bad premonition rose in her heart.

But since it was an elder, she could only ask politely.

"Auntie, why did you come to Spain? We’re actually in Barcelona right now."

Hearing it was Selina, Mrs. Thorne’s attitude softened immediately, her voice carrying a heavy tone of apology.

"Oh, Selina... where in Barcelona are you? Could you send Auntie your location? We’d like to come find you. There are some things we need to talk about."

Although her words were vague, Selina connected them to the news of Julian’s cancelled wedding.

Instinct told her that this likely had everything to do with her.

So, after thinking for a few seconds, she responded immediately.

"Is there something specific you need?"

After a few seconds of silence on the other end, Selina heard a familiar, low voice.

"It’s me. Nina and I called off the engagement. My parents know about us now. They want to talk to you—and your parents—to formally apologize."

Apologize?

Hearing that word from Julian’s mouth only felt farcical to Selina.

"It’s not necessary."

Those three words cut off whatever Julian was going to say next.

Listening to his breathing turn ragged and sharp, Selina spoke coldly and without mercy.

"What happened between us ended completely a month ago. We won't have any contact moving forward. Tell your parents that I don't want to discuss this, nor do I need an apology. In my heart, they will always be my aunt and uncle, and that won't change because of anything—including you."

These words were like blades stabbing into Julian’s heart, tearing through him with endless pain.

But he understood better than anyone that he was the architect of his own ruin.

He could blame no one; he could only swallow the bitter fruit himself.

Now, he was no longer capable of saying a single harsh word. He could only lower his posture and plead.

"Selina, please don't be angry. I can explain everything. Can you just give me one more chance? Please?"

It was the first time she had ever heard him use such a humble, submissive tone, and Selina found it jarring.

Though she didn't know what kind of act Julian was putting on this time, she had no intention of playing along. She told him bluntly:

"There is nothing left for us to talk about. You just need to tell your parents that we won't be in touch again, and then go back home."

Chapter 15

Being hung up on once again, Julian felt a deep sense of powerlessness surge within him, and the light in his eyes dimmed significantly.

Just by looking at his expression, Mr. and Mrs. Thorne realized something was wrong, and their tone became more urgent.

"What did Selina say?"

Even to this day, Julian had not told his parents that he and Selina had reached a point where they were "dead to each other."

Therefore, he could not bring himself to voice those resolute and hurtful words; he could only offer a vague explanation.

"She doesn't want her parents to find out about this yet, so she’s not keen on meeting. She wants us to go back."

Hearing this, the Thornes' hearts sank.

When they first learned of the situation, they had hoped to talk everything out. If the two children could let go of past grievances and rekindle their old flame—further strengthening the bond between the two families—that would naturally be the best outcome.

But before that, the most important thing was to respect the children's wishes.

Yet, looking at Selina’s current attitude, that possibility seemed to have become infinitesimal.

Both parents sighed simultaneously, their brows furrowing.

"If Selina is unwilling, then let it be. However, you are the one who wronged her after all. An apology must be made. We cannot allow decades of friendship between the Thornes and the Sterlings to be destroyed because of you."

Julian could not utter a word; his heart was heavy beyond measure.

The family of three booked a direct flight to Barcelona.

After the plane landed, Mr. Thorne called Mr. Sterling to explain the situation.

That evening, the two families met at a Western restaurant along the coast.

After a month apart, Selina looked a bit thinner, but her complexion was good, and she appeared spirited.

For half an hour, aside from the initial greetings, she sat in the corner without saying a single word.

During the meal, the parents chatted about many things.

Upon hearing about the cancelled wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling were shocked and asked for the reason.

Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, along with Julian, didn't know how to respond and could only give a general outline.

"Something came up at the last minute. Nina didn't want to go through with it anymore, so the engagement was called off."

Seeing how awkward they were, Mrs. Sterling didn't press further and changed the subject.

"If it's off, it's off. You can't force matters of the heart."

"Exactly, exactly. Since you’re no longer busy with wedding preparations, why not stay in Spain and let us show you around for a while? Think of it as a getaway."

Hearing this, the silent Selina finally spoke up.

"Dad, Mom, didn't you promise Auntie that you’d go see her in a couple of days?"

The implication was clear.

An air of embarrassment surfaced on the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Thorne.

A flash of helplessness crossed Julian’s eyes, and he waved his hands repeatedly.

"It’s alright, Uncle and Auntie. You can go ahead with your plans. I’ll take care of my parents. We can gather again once you return."

He was clearly intending to linger in Spain.

A surge of displeasure rose in Selina’s heart, and the look she directed at Julian was filled with absolute impatience.