Chapter 6

I blocked and deleted all of Luca's contact information, finally finding some peace.

Then, I switched my phone to airplane mode and tossed it back into my bag, gazing out at the clouds.

I recalled a time when I was very young, surrounded by a pack of wild dogs. Back then, I was small, like a little turnip, even shorter than the dogs.

Faced with several ferocious, snarling wild dogs, I panicked and fell flat on my face.

My knees were scraped, blood streaming down.

I thought I was going to die until Luca came to my rescue. He chased the dogs away, protected me home, and bandaged my wounds.

He affectionately ruffled my hair, calling me "little turnip."

After hours of flying, my eyes were filled with tears, flowing freely.

I couldn't help but reminisce about all the moments with Luca. Ten years had taken up the most significant part of my life.

Eventually, I found myself sniffling. A guy next to me seemed unable to bear it and gently handed me a tissue.

I looked down, too embarrassed to show my distress to a stranger.

I mumbled, "Thank you."

He replied, "You're welcome."

I froze slightly. His voice sounded familiar. I instinctively looked over and saw a handsome guy with gentle, dark eyes peering at me with concern.

He frowned slightly, asking, "Are you okay?"

"I…" I quickly shook my head. "I'm fine."

I knew I must look a mess, but I never expected to run into Collin at my lowest moment.

The next few hours were filled with awkward silence.

After getting off the plane, I turned on my phone, and the first call I received was from Luca's mother.

She immediately accused me of being rude and ungrateful.

"Lilly, let's not even talk about anything else. You've chased my son for so long! He finally agreed, and you left him hanging!"

I wanted to explain that Luca never intended to marry me.

But she wouldn't listen, only wanting to vent her emotions: "Lola already told me. You're willful and selfish!"

"You're just using my son's name as a springboard. If it weren't for him promoting you, would you have any research opportunities? Would Salazar even recognize you for research abroad?"

"You've wronged my son!"

Before I could respond, Lola chimed in, "Auntie, I think she isn't sincere at all."

"I've said it before: women like her are manipulative, just calculating how to use the Marshall family's resources!"

Then came the struggle for the phone as Luca grabbed it, saying, "Mom, give it to me. I'll talk to her."

"Lilly, you really have some nerve! Do you know how much I've lost because of you? You pursued me, and you agreed to marry me!"

"Are you messing with me? I see you've read too many books and gotten foolish! Would you have today without me?"

"You'd better buy a ticket back and drop out to be a full-time housewife. Just stay at home!"

I let out a cold laugh.

"Why should I? Luca, do you really think I'm just a pretty face?"

"When your data fraud was discovered, who stayed up all night helping you sort everything out and submit proof?"

"When your team hit a bottleneck, who spent hours in the lab helping you organize data?"

"I even ghostwrote your thesis!"

"And tell your mom that I've achieved everything today based on my own abilities! Without you, Luca, I'd do even better!"

"We've broken up. I don't want to hear a single word about you in the future."

I hung up the phone defiantly, and in the next moment, I felt utterly drained, gasping for breath.

Just as I raised my eyes, I locked gazes with Collin.

Why was it that every time I was at my lowest, I'd run into him? I couldn't help but smirk at my own misfortune.