Spring Tidings Never Reach Me Chapter 2

Wendy Wells POV

The next morning, I woke up to my biological clock.

The other half of the bed was empty, and the blankets had already gone cold.

In the past, I had always been the first to get up every morning, make breakfast, and then wake him, just so he could stay in bed for ten more minutes.

His work was busy. I felt bad for him.

Yet today, he had actually gotten up earlier than me.

Wrapped in my sleepwear, I walked out of the bedroom and saw Shawn Foster standing in front of the full-length mirror in the walk-in closet.

A brand-new bespoke suit, newly changed cuff links, and his hair freshly styled. He looked even more meticulous than he did for a brand launch.

He changed three ties in front of the mirror.

When he saw me in the mirror, he turned his head and smiled. His brows carried an undisguisable good mood.

“Why are you awake? Sleep a little longer.”

“Why are you up so early today?”

“There’s an important meeting at the company. I have to get there early.”

As he spoke, he was still adjusting his cuffs, a smile hanging at the corners of his mouth.

I leaned against the doorframe and watched him.

Shawn Foster worked in fashion, so his taste in clothing had never been bad. But he also never dressed this carefully on an ordinary workday.

Unless the person he was seeing today was worth him getting up at six and fussing in front of the mirror.

I drew in a breath and decided to give this seven-year relationship one last chance.

I tried to make my tone sound as casual as possible.

“Shawn, come home with me next week. My parents want to meet you.”

His hands paused on the buttons, but he did not turn around.

“There’s a major project going on lately. I can’t get away. Next time.”

In seven years, I had heard “next time” far too many times.

I didn’t say anything else.

Forget it.

After fastening his cuff links, he walked over, bent down, and kissed the top of my head, his voice gentle.

“I have to work overtime tonight. I might be home very late. Eat dinner by yourself. Don’t wait for me.”

With that, he headed out, his steps so light he looked as if he were going to some long-awaited appointment.

The door closed, and the living room fell quiet.

His phone was lying quietly on the shoe cabinet in the living room.

He had left in such a hurry that he forgot to take it.

The screen lit up automatically, and an unread message popped up.

Contact name: Fiona.

[Shawn, it’s been seven years. I missed you so much. See you at the airport in a bit.]

Getting up at six, changing three ties, smiling so brightly his eyes nearly flew off his face—so he was going to pick her up at the airport.

The front door was suddenly pushed open.

Shawn Foster had come back, his footsteps hurried.

He strode to the entryway and picked up his phone. The instant his fingertip lit the screen, his movements stiffened for a split second.

He looked up at me, a trace of nervousness in his gaze.

“Wendy, did you look at my phone just now?”

Curled up on the sofa and holding a cup of water, I lifted my head at his words, my expression innocent.

“No. Why?”

He looked at me for two seconds, searching my face.

Then his shoulders relaxed, and his brow smoothed out.

He came over, wrapped an arm around my waist, lowered his head, and kissed the corner of my mouth, his voice soft.

“Nothing. Love you.”

The door closed for the second time, and the sound of the car engine gradually faded.

“Love you.” He said those two words several times a day.

Before, I had believed every single one.

I knew who Fiona was.

Fiona Quinn, one of the film industry’s most famous actresses. She had been working overseas these past few years, and this year she had just received a Cannes Best Actress nomination. Her red-carpet looks had swept the headlines of every major fashion media outlet.

Seven years ago, she had only been Shawn Foster’s college girlfriend.

They had dated for four years, from freshman year until graduation.

The year they graduated, Shawn Foster took his business plan everywhere and hit wall after wall.

Fiona Quinn disliked that he was poor and had no future. She left him with the words, “You can’t give me the life I want,” then turned around and entered the entertainment industry.

When Shawn Foster met me, it had been less than a month since he was dumped.

He had told me about Fiona Quinn. Back then, he held me and spoke very seriously.

“Fiona Quinn is my ex. She’s in the past. Wendy, you’re my true love.”

I believed him for seven whole years.

But all it took was for his ex to buy a plane ticket back, and he rushed right up to her.

My phone rang. It was a video call from my brother, William Wells.

“Wendy, Dad said you’re coming back? Did Shawn Foster bully you?”

“No. I just miss you guys.”

“Don’t try that with me. Say the word, and I’ll fly over tomorrow and take his legs off—”

The phone was snatched away.

Dad’s voice was much gentler, carrying a cautious tentativeness.

“Wendy, if you miss home, then come back. You’ve been out there for seven years. It must have been hard, right? I won’t push you into an arranged marriage alliance anymore. Come back, and you can do whatever you want.”

I clenched my phone, my eyes burning.

I had been stupid. I had rejected the family who genuinely loved me and trusted Shawn Foster with my whole heart.

My dad loved me so much. How could the marriage partner he chose for me possibly be bad?

“Dad, I’m willing to come back for the arranged marriage alliance.”

The other end of the call went quiet.

After a long while, Dad laughed, but halfway through, his voice caught.

“Good. Good! Next week, I’ll have William take the private jet to pick you up!”

He paused, then his tone softened.

“Oh, right, sweetheart. Today is your birthday. Happy birthday, my good girl.”

Tears splashed onto my phone screen.

“Thank you, Dad.”