The Night I Left, He Turned Grey

"Sean." Sarah Lynch was about to tell him to stop smoking, but as she reached out, Sean Sinclair had already snuffed out the cigarette with his bare hand.

"Why did you come here?" Sean asked her.

Surprised, Sarah Lynch grabbed his hand, checking to see if his fingers were burned.

"Your parents and Cecilia were all so worried about you. And I was worried, too." Sarah Lynch gently caressed his cheek. "Please don’t smoke anymore, okay?"

Their eyes met. Sarah Lynch slowly closed hers and leaned in for a kiss.

Just as their lips were about to touch, Sean swiftly turned his head, a flash of panic crossing his mind.

’The one I love is Sarah. I’ve been waiting for her all these years, even keeping my relationship with Leila Jennings strictly platonic for her sake. I should be overjoyed that Sarah is taking the initiative to kiss me.’

’But why...’

’Maybe it’s because of that video from Nathaniel Cole this evening.’

’I love Sarah. I can’t let her get dragged into a public scandal.’

’Sarah is brilliant and beautiful, with a bright future ahead of her.’

’I can’t ruin her.’

’Yes.’

’That must be it.’

The anticipated kiss never came. Sarah Lynch opened her eyes to see Sean avoiding her gaze, and her heart sank.

"Sarah, we..." Sean’s heart was in turmoil. After a moment of hesitation, he finally said it. "We need to keep some distance."

Sarah Lynch’s heart plunged.

"Sean, you..." Her eyes quickly filled with a misty haze, the rims turning a faint red as she spoke through a choked sob, "You don’t want me anymore."

As she finished, a line of tears rolled down her cheek.

Her tear-streaked face was a picture of pitiable beauty—a look that could melt any man’s heart.

And men were suckers for this sort of thing.

"No, that’s not it." Sean grew anxious, quickly reaching out to wipe away her tears. "Sarah, I’m doing this for your own good. That time we kissed at the gala was photographed. If people find out you’re involved with a married man, it will ruin you."

"Then you..."

’Then why can’t you just divorce Leila Jennings!’

’And make things official with me!’

’Is pushing me away what you call "for my own good"?’

’Did you ever think of pushing Leila away?’

’You just can’t bear to let her go!’

Sarah Lynch took a sharp breath. ’I can’t say those things.’

’Saying them out loud would only make Sean realize that he’s had feelings for Leila for a long time and is just too scared to admit it.’

’I can’t pave the way for someone else’s happiness.’

’I have to be with Sean.’

Families with truly great fortunes looked down on her, and she had her own pride.

Families with fortunes too far beneath hers, she looked down on them, and they could hardly shower her with money the way Sean did. Whether it was for daily life or investing in her career, Sean never hesitated to spend on her.

As for those from families only slightly better off than hers, rich heirs like Spencer Shelby, they spent their days idling and squandering their family’s money, but in reality, their every expense was monitored by their families.

A rich young master who was handsome, capable, and from a good family was never available on the open market. They were claimed by other prominent families early on.

For those in elite circles, marriage had always been a transaction. The sooner the deal was made, the sooner one could enjoy the dividends.

Back when her grandfather suggested she go abroad first, she hadn’t hesitated for a moment. The Sean of that time was certainly talented and had already joined Stellaxis Technologies, and everyone said he had a bright future.

But who could guarantee that Sean would climb that high? After all, the Forrester Family had their own Crown Prince.

Sean had proven more capable than she had anticipated. In just a few short years, he had risen through the ranks at Stellaxis Technologies to become its president.

Today’s Sean was a sought-after tech mogul, the gentle and courteous President Sinclair, coveted by countless beautiful women.

She had to lock down this golden goose.

Her thoughts returned to the present.

Sarah Lynch lowered her gaze, her voice choked with emotion. "So you’re just going to abandon me? Sean, are you getting back at me for leaving you to go abroad? I told you, my grandfather forced me to go."

"I know." Sean remembered the day he had planned to confess his feelings to Sarah, only to find he couldn’t contact her. He couldn’t find her anywhere, and it wasn’t until that night that he learned from her roommate that she had gone abroad.

She had left without a word.

She hadn’t even left him a single message.

And just the day before his planned confession, a group of them had been singing at a club. Sarah had rested her head on his lap, and amid the boisterous noise, she had secretly taken his hand and pressed her lips to his thumb.

His heart had pounded wildly.

The next day, Sarah vanished, and his heart plunged into an abyss.

But later, when Sarah suddenly contacted him, he had forgiven her anyway, even flying abroad every year to celebrate her birthday.

Over the years, he had poured his heart and soul into her.

Seeing him waver, Sarah Lynch pressed her advantage, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Sean, don’t leave me. You once said you would never leave me."

"If you leave me, what will I do? Sean, I only love you, and you’re the only man I’ve ever been with."

Sean’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.

That time they were drunk.

"I could never love another man. If you’re worried our relationship will hurt you..."

"No," Sean said earnestly. "It’s you who will get hurt."

"I don’t care!" In truth, Sarah Lynch cared a great deal, but if she didn’t endure this now, she and Sean would truly drift apart.

’Since I can’t get Sean to end his marriage to Leila, my only option is to go after Leila herself.’

’I refuse to believe Leila can tolerate her husband’s cheating forever.’

Sean looked at Sarah Lynch’s defiant expression, and his heart softened.

"Sarah."

"I’m here, Sean. I’ll always be by your side. I’ll never leave you." Another hot tear fell as she spoke.

Sean wiped her tear away, repeating the same words, "Give me some time."

Sarah Lynch took the opportunity to nuzzle her cheek against his palm, murmuring a docile, "Mhm," her voice thick and nasal.

When a vibrant rose willingly falls into your hand, who could possibly control themselves?

Sensing the atmosphere was right, Sarah Lynch tried to kiss him again.

Sean still avoided it.

But this time, he hugged her.

Sarah Lynch could reluctantly accept that. She also hadn’t forgotten the other reason she had come to find him. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Sean, are Cecilia and Leila alright now? I heard Cecilia was let go and that it was all a misunderstanding."

"It wasn’t a misunderstanding." Sean pulled Sarah Lynch out of his embrace, his brow furrowed with sorrow. "Cecilia did it on purpose. She’s getting more and more audacious."

Sarah Lynch’s heart skipped a beat. "How do you know Cecilia did it on purpose?"

"I heard her." Sean pinched the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted. "I happened to overhear when I went back tonight. Cecilia admitted it herself."

Sarah Lynch’s breath hitched. "And?"

’Cecilia didn’t sell me out, did she?’

"And what?" Sean asked.

Sarah Lynch parted her lips. "I mean, what happened then?"

"I yelled at Cecilia." Sean looked toward the Thorne Residence. "Leila won’t see me. Before I knew the truth, I told her to go apologize to Cecilia. I’ve wronged her."

’Sean is actually starting to feel guilty toward Leila.’

’This time, my scheme really backfired.’

"Sean, don’t be sad. Leila is Cecilia’s sister-in-law; she won’t hold a grudge. Families don’t hold onto anger overnight," Sarah Lynch consoled him, not forgetting to sow more discord. "What Cecilia did was wrong, but don’t be too hard on her. At least Leila wasn’t seriously hurt. Speaking of which, we really have President Cole to thank."

"For President Cole to be able to find Leila so precisely under those circumstances, take her away, and even get her to a clinic."

"Do you think President Cole might be... interested in Leila?"