Second Life New Choices novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

For the next few days, Jolene locked herself up in her room, teary-eyed.

After learning about Preston’s ridiculous actions, Francis and Gloria were all the more glad that they hadn’t chosen him as Jolene’s partner. They even wanted to confront the Norwood family about what happened.

However, Jolene, who finally left her room after several days, stopped them. The marriage was nearing, and she hoped everything would go smoothly.

After persuading her parents not to confront the Norwood family, she left the house with a design blueprint.

Preston wasn’t the reason she’d locked herself in her room for the past few days. He didn’t matter to her anymore.

She was designing a wedding ring for Cedric. Knowing how valuable “Eternal Star” was, she secretly wanted to repay his affection by doing so.

She handed the blueprint to the butler, telling him to get an experienced craftsman to craft the ring. However, she didn’t receive the ring even after it was due.

Upon enquiring, she found out Preston had dropped by several days ago. The ring she designed caught his attention immediately.

After asking around about it, he took it with him, saying that there was no need for Jolene to pick it up since the ring was for him anyway.

The staff knew about the marriage arrangement between the Miller and Norwood families, so they didn’t stop him.

Jolene’s heart sank. She immediately went to the Norwood residence to retrieve the ring from Preston.

She was welcomed by the sight of Simone sitting before a mountain of parcels. She said in a honeyed tone, “Mr. Norwood, you checked out everything on my online shopping cart without my knowing again. How could I ever repay your kindness?”

“I did it willingly; you don’t have to repay me. Also, I’ve told you many times before that you don’t have to address me as ‘Mr. Norwood’.”

Simone bashfully called him, “Pres.”

Despite witnessing them being all lovey-dovey, Jolene didn’t even bat an eyelid as she hurried in.

Preston turned to the sound of her footsteps and frowned. “Why have you come?”

“Give me back the ring you took.”

Preston arched an eyebrow at her outstretched palm. “I don’t have it.”

Jolene’s gaze turned grim. She asked solemnly, “What do you mean by that?”

Preston was still thinking up excuses when Simone, sitting on the floor, timidly spoke up. “Ms. Miller, I learned from the Internet that the most efficient way to open parcels is by using a ring, so I used it to open my parcels, hundreds of them. The ring is deformed now. Do you still want it?”

As she spoke, she opened her palm and showed Jolene the damaged ring.

The stone step was covered with blood. Preston frowned at the sight as he pulled Simone into his arms, gently comforting her. “It’s fine. That’s her usual attempt to garner sympathy. It’s just an act. Don’t mind her. She’ll wake up when we ignore her. Don’t be afraid, Simone. Don’t cry.”

Jolene heard him through her hazy senses, and her blood went cold. Tears streamed out of her eyes.

She had thought he would have at least cared for her since they had known each other from a young age, even though he didn’t love her. However, he shrugged off her safety just to coax Simone.

She wondered why on earth she had fallen for him in her previous life.

Struggling, she tried to call for help, but reaching for her phone used up every last bit of her energy. Darkness swallowed her.

It was already the next day when she regained consciousness.

Before long, the doctor came in with her file. He asked sternly, “Why didn’t you come straight away to the hospital after the accident? You almost bled yourself dry. This is not a joke.”

Recalling the events before she blacked out, Jolene could only let out a wry smile. She didn’t know how to respond to that. What was she supposed to say? That her childhood friend ignored her well-being because he was too busy consoling his sweetheart?

The doctor didn’t ask any further. “Where’s your husband? You should get him to see through the hospital admission procedure.”

Still under the influence of the anesthesia, Jolene blurted out, “He’s abroad.”

The door opened just then. Preston walked in, staring her in the eyes. “Who did you say was abroad?”