"If you don’t let go, it will hurt both you and Rebecca, and it’s even more irresponsible towards Rebecca. If you don’t want to be responsible, why did you desperately pursue her for a year? You’ve been boyfriend and girlfriend for more than two years. Youth is fleeting, and a woman’s pri doesn’t last forever. You shouldn’t use your infatuation to waste Rebecca’s youth. When her beauty fades, what will she do if you despise her then? Jas, although our interactions haven’t been deep, in my eyes, you’re a man unlike Dad. You’re self-made, possess a strong sense of responsibility, and are a true man, just like your brother. Of course, if you want to change my perception of you, that’s also possible."
Julia spoke softly, discussing love and responsibility openly with Jas Horne for the first ti.
"But my love for a certain person is as deep as the ocean, engraved in my heart. If I married her, wouldn’t I be leading her down the sa path as Auntie?" Jas Horne gazed at her bitterly. He didn’t want to be an irresponsible man either, but his secret love for her had lasted too long, and it was incredibly hard for him to let go. So many years had passed; Ivan was nearly four years old. He thought he had moved on from his unnatural feelings for his elder brother and could also let go of his feelings for her.
He was wrong.
He loved her far more deeply than he had ever loved his brother. That was why he had been able to transform his unnatural feelings for his brother into respect. But his love for her... it was truly...
"What is it about her that makes you love her so deeply?" Julia sighed.
Emotions are sotis truly indescribable and unfathomable.
From childhood to adulthood, their relationship had been nothing more than a nodding acquaintance. She couldn’t understand why he had developed such profound feelings for her.
What was so worthy about her?
"Love is mystical; it needs no reason. Once you love, you simply love," Jas Horne said, his voice even heavier with a bitterness so profound it made Julia’s heart ache.
She would swear to heaven that she had never tried to capture his heart. Every ti they t, she had rely greeted him politely with "Brother Jas," and then offered him a warm, sincere smile, completely devoid of any ulterior motive.
"Rebecca... I don’t know what to do about her," Jas Horne said, panic flashing in his eyes as he spoke of Rebecca Hughes.
He couldn’t let go of Julia, yet he didn’t want to lose Rebecca.
Over the years, he had grown accustod to having Rebecca by his side. He liked listening to her ramble on carelessly, liked their wild races together, and liked the sight of her piloting a speedboat, cutting through the waves when they went out to sea.
After his mother was imprisoned, he rarely returned to the Horne Family ho. When he did, it was usually because he missed his nephew. His family’s concern for him had increased; even Auntie pitied him, treated him well, and showed him care. But the one who truly accompanied him through those dark, sorrowful days after his mother’s imprisonnt was Rebecca.
She never looked at him with prejudice, never despised his status as an illegitimate child, nor his having a mother in prison. She had always been genuinely sincere with him.
If it weren’t for his preconceived notions, he would have definitely fallen madly in love with Rebecca.
"Jas, you actually do love Rebecca; you just haven’t realized it yet. You know, don’t be like Glades. He took so many years, and even when it was ti to get married, he still hadn’t seen the truth, almost missing out on his entire life." Julia sighed again.
Outsiders often see things clearly, while those involved are lost in the fog. Jas believes his love for is as deep as the ocean, but in reality, it has been gradually fading, though he doesn’t realize it yet. It’s much like Glades Horne. He always loved , Julia Bluen, but thought he had fallen for my sister, Ruby Bluen. It wasn’t until Ruby eloped, and he felt no heartache, that a drunken remark from made him suddenly see who his true love was.
Fortunately, Glades and I hadn’t missed our chance.
So, she hoped that Jas wouldn’t miss his either.
Otherwise, by the ti he regretted it, it would be too late.
"Uriel Hughes said that if I don’t marry Rebecca by the end of this year, he’ll make us break up and arrange for her to marry soone else. He’s too authoritarian! Even as Rebecca’s elder brother, he shouldn’t be so domineering. How can he arrange for Rebecca to marry soone else without considering her feelings?" Jas Horne exclaid, unable to hide his anger as he recalled Uriel Hughes’s words.
What he unconsciously revealed, however, was his impatience.
Julia smiled faintly, now even more convinced that he had fallen in love with Rebecca.
Her smile was warm, her gaze clear as she looked at Jas and asked, "Jas, do you know how a woman, if she cannot find soone she truly connects with, should choose a husband to ensure her happiness?"
Jas looked at her intently, waiting for her answer. As he t her gaze, he realized the burning intensity he’d felt when he first looked at her had diminished considerably; the passion, in fact, had faded quite a bit.
"A smart woman would choose to marry a man who loves her. And Rebecca is a smart woman." The implication was clear: if Rebecca couldn’t marry him, she would likely follow Uriel’s arrangents and marry a man she didn’t love, but who loved her.
"But how can one be happy with soone they don’t love? Even if the other person loves them deeply, so what?" Jas couldn’t grasp the concept. If one could truly be happy under those circumstances, he would marry Rebecca right away. In his eyes, only couples with mutual affection, like his elder brother and sister-in-law, could achieve true happiness.
"Because that person loves you deeply, they will care for you, look after you, cherish you, and spoil you. If you think about it calmly, you’ll realize that can bring happiness. Besides, hearts aren’t made of stone; feelings can be nurtured. Such dedication can eventually touch you."
Jas had an epiphany.
Reflecting on the past few years, Rebecca’s care and attention had always been there. With her, he felt his life was fulfilling. When he was with her, he could always forget Julia’s existence.
"Jas, think about it carefully. Sotis, the deep love you believe you feel may no longer truly exist," Julia said aningfully, then stood up, ready to leave.
As she stood up, she glanced upwards and suddenly saw a tall, handso figure standing at the railing of the top floor, looking down at her and Jas.
She knew that silhouette better than anyone—it was Glades Horne.
She lowered her gaze and walked back towards the house.
Ivan Horne was already up. The little fellow seed not to have had enough sleep, yawning as he ca downstairs.
The old lady was sitting in the living room, looking through the day’s newspaper. When she saw Ivan coming downstairs, she said affectionately, "Ivan, co here, let Great-grandmother give you a hug. You poor child, having to get up so early for school."
As Julia walked into the house, she saw the old lady tenderly holding Ivan in her arms. The old lady’s health wasn’t good, so she naturally no longer had the strength to pick Ivan up.
Aunt i, who was attending nearby, also wouldn’t let her pick Ivan up anymore.
"Mommy!" Ivan called out as he saw Julia enter the house, stepping out of his great-grandmother’s embrace.
Julia smiled in response. After chatting warmly with the old lady for a while, she instructed the nanny to get the children ready for school, then headed to the top floor herself.
The top floor was always a quieter world than the courtyard below.
This was usually Glades’ domain. As long as he was up there, no one else dared to go up and disturb him without his permission—except, of course, Julia, whom he cherished imnsely.
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