“Our families have been close for generations and Juno and I are meant to be together. Let me show you right now who Juno truly loves!”
With that, Quinn let out a sudden “Ah!” and fell backward.
“Quinn, what’s wrong?”
Juno rushed over and caught her in his arms.
Quinn looked utterly aggrieved.
“I’m fine. She’s probably just upset about moving out and pushed me out of frustration. I understand. You should comfort her instead.”
“I didn’t push her,” Sasha looked at Juno and spoke softly.
Even if he had only seen her as a stand-in over these three years, they had spent so much time together. He should have known she wasn’t that kind of person and would never stoop to such actions.
But all her certainty turned to dust in an instant when Juno kicked her.
The force of the kick sent her flying, her head slamming into the wall. Blood poured from the wound, staining her face.
Her hands were scraped raw against the rough ground and her already injured right hand was torn open, blood and flesh mixed. Cold sweat immediately drenched her body.
"Your hand is hurt?"
Juno finally noticed something was wrong, a trace of concern flashing in his eyes.
But he was quickly stopped by Quinn.
"Juno, don't blame her. This afternoon, when you were hugging me in your office, she was secretly watching from outside. That’s why she put so much red medicine on her hand, trying to get your attention. She just cares about you too much."
So the bright red on Sasha's hand wasn’t blood, but red medicine?
The concern in Juno’s eyes turned to disgust.
“Why couldn’t you just ask me directly? Why resort to such tricks? it's really not decent! Hurry up and take your things and move to the dormitory. That’s where someone like you belongs!”
Seeing his favoritism and indifference, Sasha swallowed all the words she wanted to say.
“Forget it, just leave it,” she said.
Three years ago, when she was working in her family’s factory, Juno came to inspect the workshop. At first sight, he fell for her and she had quietly fallen for him too.
For this love, she had been willing to cut ties with her family, give up her life as a wealthy young lady and travel far for the man she loved.
She never expected that in the end, she would become just a stand-in.
Now, she didn’t want anything anymore—not this place, not this man.
Once her thoughts settled, Sasha went to a phone booth, her voice choking as she dialed a number she knew by heart.
“Mom, Dad, I miss home. I’m willing to return and marry the son of the Maddox Family.”
On the other end, her parents sounded even more excited than she was. “Sasha, darling, we’ve been waiting for this day for three years. The door is always open for you.”
"What marriage?" Juno suddenly appeared behind her, grabbing her wrist tightly. "Sasha, didn’t you say you’d only marry me? You want to go to a workers' social? I won’t allow it!"
His anger was mixed with a touch of dominance.
It turned out he had misunderstood the word "marriage" as "social."
Sasha was relieved. She didn’t know how to explain, but she couldn't help but feel a bit amused.
Now that his real lover had returned, whether she attended a social event or married someone, what did it have to do with him?
"The situation isn't what you think."
Seeing her slightly melancholic expression, Juno frowned and tried to explain. "There can be two secretaries. If you kneel and apologize to Quinn, you’ll still have a chance to be secretary. As for our marriage, that’s still on the table."
Sasha stared at him in surprise. At a time like this, he was still trying to play both sides?
"What if I don’t apologize?"
"Then you’ll be fired and there will be no chance to be with me. Are you willing to let go?"
Juno knew Sasha too well. She loved him deeply, so she would never want to leave him. He was sure she would give in.
