Chapter 16
Under Lionel’s guidance, Samantha gradually gained recognition for her designs. Her persistence,
eagerness to learn, and unique vision were the reasons behind her distinctive designs, helping her stand out in the fashion world.
One day, Lionel tapped lightly on her table. “Your designs were shortlisted for the city-level competition
again.”
“Really?” Samantha sounded astonished as she smiled at Lionel. While looking at the invitation, she finally felt free after enduring countless hardships. The entire time, Lionel’s gaze was fixed on her as he
smiled.
At the design competition, the stage spotlights shone like a galaxy of stars. Dressed in a simple white
suit, Samantha stood next to her design. She wore her hair in a ponytail, showing off her flawless neckline.
Samantha remained calm and confident as she shared the inspiration and concept behind her creation.
Once she was done, the audience erupted into applause. The judges whispered among themselves, their gazes filled with admiration.
“One thing I really liked about her creation…” Since Lionel had been invited as a special guest judge, he
rose to his feet, fixing his gentle gaze on Samantha as he continued speaking, “was how it completely reflected her traits-her confidence, elegance, and beauty.”
As Samantha met Lionel’s gaze, she couldn’t help but smile.
For the past two weeks, he stayed up with her all night in the studio and helped her through multiple
revisions of her drafts.
His words, “You’re stronger than you think”, were the final encouragement she needed to sign her name
on the design booklet.
At that moment, Samantha was standing onstage as she looked down at Lionel, who always remained by her side. His determined gaze brought tears to her eyes.
In the back row of the audience, Harry gripped his invitation tightly. When he learned Samantha had won, he immediately instructed Jack to secure a seat for him.
The moment Harry saw Samantha, he never expected to be overwhelmed by unfamiliar emotions. The woman shining onstage seemed to overlap and clash with the image of her wearing an apron while simmering soup in the kitchen.
In the past, she always put Harry first, and she was just a worn-out housewife who listened to his.
instructions.
Right now, she was like a radiant star. Harry never knew she could shine so bright once she was free of
her duties as a housewife.
As he watched Samantha exchange subtle glances with Lionel onstage, all he felt was overwhelming
regret. He had to leave the venue.
Harry grabbed his car keys and dashed out of the place. But once he was outside, he had no idea where to go. He looked in the rearview mirror and realized the once-prideful version of himself was looking back
at him with bloodshot eyes.
That night, Harry stopped Samantha outside her studio, his gaze fixed on her hands brushing gently against Lionel’s. For a moment, he felt choked up.
“Let’s talk…”
Samantha raised her left hand with a sneer. Her bare ring finger gleamed in the light, seeming to mock
Harry for his mistake.
“There’s nothing left for us to talk about. Please get out of my way.”
Harry staggered backward as he watched Samantha and Lionel walk away. He ended up knocking over a green plant next to the door.
As the vase shattered on the floor, Harry gazed at Samantha’s retreating figure and asked hoarsely, ”
Samantha, what do I have to do to get you back?”
The next day, the doorbell to Samantha’s apartment rang at 7:00 am sharp.
“Ms. Knott, here’s your oatmeal.” The deliveryman handed her an exquisite insulated food container.
Through the peephole, Samantha spotted a familiar figure slipping into the stairwell. She opened the container nonchalantly and recognized it as the same oatmeal she used to prepare for Harry whenever he
had a stomachache.
After a quick glance, she tossed everything into the trash.
Samantha received seven different insulated food containers for seven days in a row. Harry sent
someone to deliver her food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper.
Every single time, the food ended up in the trash.
On the eighth day, the doorbell no longer rang. Instead, she received a lucrative deal at her studio.
The words “Invitation: Wright Corporation Annual Collaboration” were usually enough to tempt any new designer into signing the contract, but Samantha merely glanced at it before snapping the folder shut.
“Give it back to him.”
Jack said hesitatingly, “Mr. Wright’s proposed budget is quite generous. Mrs. Wright, why don’t you
reconsider…”
Chapter 16
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Samantha held a pair of scissors, looking nonchalant as she said calmly, “Tell Mr. Wright that some things can’t be mended once they’re broken. Also… I’m not interested in anything from him.”
Harry stood in front of the contract Samantha had rejected earlier, his veins throbbing at his temples.
“What did she say?”
“Mrs. Wright said…” Jack had no choice but to repeat everything. “You two are over for good. She suggested focusing on your current lover.”
“My current lover?” Harry smashed the cup to the floor. “I’ve already locked Lydia up!”
Harry paused. Suddenly, he understood he and Lydia would always be one in Samantha’s eyes.
In the past, he went on “business trips” for 20 days every month. Did Samantha also stand in the kitchen alone, staring at the cold dishes?
Harry’s phone suddenly buzzed. The kindergarten teacher had sent him a picture. Joseph had blacked out Harry in his latest family drawing.
Up until that moment, he finally realized what a failure he was, both as a lover and a father.
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