Only you in my love

Leon's birthday was coming soon.

While Wynn and Bryant were discussing their plans to throw him a birthday party, Leon happened to overhear it. He said casually, "There's no need for a party. I won't even bother celebrating with you. I just know that it's going to be boring."

"No party?" Bryant seemed hesitant before asking, "Are you afraid that we might throw a simple and shabby party? Well, we're not on C Island after all. It might turn out simple and shabby anyway."

Wynn rolled his eyes at his companion. "Didn't you listen to what he just said? He said he didn't want to celebrate it with us, but he didn't say that he wouldn't celebrate it at all. He just wanted to spend it alone with Michelle."

"Does that mean you're going to do something on your birthday?" Wynn giggled as he watched for Leon's reaction. Leon found himself annoyed at the meaningful looks that Wynn kept giving him. Nonetheless, the other man was correct. It was as if he had read his mind.

"I am hoping she will help me fulfill my birthday wish." With one hand inside his trouser pocket, Leon looked up at the sky, watching the white clouds drift aimlessly overhead. He couldn't help but think that Michelle must be softer than the clouds in the sky. Wynn clicked his tongue and cursed. "You want to sleep with her, right?"

"Ahem." Bryant interrupted Wynn by clearing his throat obtrusively.

It was then that Valerie came over with three cups of coffee. "I made these for you."

"Thank you, Valerie." Bryant took a cup with a smile.

Wynn frowned, refusing to accept the coffee she had made.

Faced with Wynn's indifference, Valerie smiled awkwardly. "I'll just put the coffee on the table then."

Her voice was soft and low, and she refused to meet Wynn's eyes. It looked like she was trying her best to please him. Her eyes were getting watery the longer she stayed in his presence.

Valerie had always behaved gracefully whenever she talked to Bryant or Leon. She only acted like this whenever Wynn was around.

Upon seeing her sullen face, Wynn immediately knew that he would be scolded soon.

"You shouldn't treat her like that, Wynn." Leon shot him a look as he picked up a cup of coffee himself. He took a sip and then praised her sincerely. "The coffee is really good, Valerie. When did you learn to make it?"

"I just learned it yesterday," Valerie answered with a gentle smile.

Leon returned the smile. "It's actually our favorite brew, so thank you."

"Yes, I know. I've been taking notes of your preferences all the time. I'm glad you like it. If you want more in the future, I can always make it for you."

The two of them continued talking, ignoring Wynn the whole time.

Wynn began to lose his temper. "What did I do wrong? Was it something I said? I've never mocked her since you warned me last time."

Indeed, he no longer made any sarcastic remarks towards her anymore, but he had rudely ignored her instead. As a result, Valerie would get scared every time she saw Wynn.

Leon felt helpless at that. He felt like Wynn was bullying Valerie. But he also knew that Wynn was doing it for his own sake.

Compared to Valerie, Wynn was much more important to Leon.

"I didn't even say anything wrong. She only looks frightened whenever she sees me because she is guilty. And her heart knows it. Or maybe she's just pretending to be afraid of me. She wants you to think that I'm bullying her." Wynn glared at Valerie in disgust. He then looked away as if he couldn't stand to look at her any longer.

Valerie's face paled. She pressed her lips together as tears sprung out of her eyes. Nonetheless, she tried valiantly to hold them back.

"Wynn, I know that you're prejudiced against Valerie, but don't say such harsh words." Bryant firmly believed that his cousin had done nothing wrong. He stared at Wynn with a straight face.

Biting her lips, Valerie said, "I'm so sorry, Bryant. Please don't fight because of me. I'll just go to the next room."

"We won't fight because of you," Wynn sneered.

"Wynn." Leon shot him a warning look, silently telling him to stop.

Valerie curled her fingers into a fist at her side and forced a smile despite the tears in her eyes.

"I don't want you to at odds with each other because of me."

"No, we won't. I won't be angry at Bryant. He is your cousin, and it's normal that he defends you. Don't be too full of yourself. It's not like you can drive a wedge between us. Only stupid people will fall for that trick. And I don't think Bryant is one. But if he is indeed a fool who only wants to protect his cousin, then I don't want to be his friend anymore.

Aren't you supposed to go to the next room? Hurry up. We have something else to discuss." Wynn couldn't help but raise his voice and yell at her upon seeing her still standing there, not willing to leave.

Valerie clenched her fists. Her nails dug deeply into her palms as she did so. She kept her eyes lowered so that her thick eyelashes could conceal the hatred in her eyes.

Bryant stood up, grabbed his cousin's wrist, and walked out of the room, dragging her behind him.

"Bye!" Wynn's face lit up as soon as the two were gone.

Leon could only sigh. "Stop targeting Valerie. Both she and I were wrong after all. And most of the blame was on me. I'm trying to make it up to her. Why are you making things so difficult for me?"

Wynn pretended to not hear him at all. He only turned around from his seat and reached out for a cup of water. He avoided the coffee that Valerie had made for him.

Meanwhile, Bryant was trying to comfort his cousin in the next room. "Wynn can sometimes go too far. Just try avoiding him in the future. As long as you stay out of his way, he won't make things difficult for you."

"It's alright, Bryant. I'm fine." Valerie gave him a watery smile. Her tears were still streaming down her face. "It's just that sometimes I can't stand the way he looks at me. It's as if I'm disgusting even though I'm the one who was wronged back then."

It was clear that she was choking back her sobs as she spoke.

Bryant handed her a piece of tissue. He studied her face for a moment and said, "Valerie, do you think you didn't do anything wrong back then?"

Valerie stopped wiping her tears for a moment, looking pitiful as she said, "What do you mean, Bryant? Leon locked me up in the castle when he failed to win my heart. He didn't even let anyone in to see me." Valerie wondered if Bryant knew something.

But only she and Baker knew the truth of what happened that year. He would never betray her even if he had to take the blame.

Maybe it was Wynn who spoke ill of her in front of Bryant.

She thought angrily, 'Damn Wynn. I'll make sure to break Leon's trust on him sooner or later.

Just wait and see."

Bryant didn't say anything else.

After thinking for some time, he finally said, "Let me send you back to C Island. We'll go there after we celebrate Leon's birthday in two days' time."

Upon hearing this, Valerie froze. Tears began welling up in her eyes again. "I won't go back there, Bryant. I want to stay here with you in Lexingport City. I don't want you to be alone here without any family around."

Her words were dripping with sincerity. "You may have Leon and Wynn by your side and make new friends, but they are different from your family. Your friends can never replace them. I won't leave until you get married." Her words seemed to have moved Bryant.

The rest of his family never really cared about him. Only his cousin, Valerie, treated him differently.

And while he knew the real reason why Valerie didn't want to return to C Island, he was still touched by her words.

He decided then and there to turn a blind eye to it and let her fight for her love.

After all, people should never take anything for granted in this world. They had to earn everything they want. Love was no exception to this.