He grasped Jasmine’s shoulders and pleaded, “Jas, I’m your cousin. No one can help me but you.”
Jasmine pushed his hands away and replied firmly, “Shawn, how many times do I have to say this? Serenity is married. She has a husband. That fact won’t change no matter how much you love her. Just give up. She’s not right for you, and there’s no way she’ll love you back.”
She then sternly cautioned him, “If you dare to pester her shamelessly, don’t blame me for being heartless. Doing that will only drive Serenity away from you. You won’t even be able to maintain a normal friendship with her.”
Shawn was filled with anguish.
He had harbored feelings for her in secret for many years and was finally ready to confess, but now his beloved woman was someone else’s wife.
He couldn’t even express his deep love to her.
He felt sorrowful, but also regretful.
He regretted not confessing his love when he first realized his feelings. Even if he was underage back then, he could have let Serenity wait for him to grow up.
“Jas, I want to see Serenity. Can I?”
“No!”
Jasmine smacked his arm in frustration. “Are you even listening to me? Are you trying to hurt Serenity?”
“Jas, can’t you see how much pain I’m in? Don’t you feel sorry for me at all?”
“The pain will fade. It’s better for you to move on. Shawn, you’re still young—only twenty-two. You have your whole life ahead of you. With your status, many women will notice you. You should find a girl who can…
You need to please your mother, and find someone who is a suitable match for your family, not Serenity.
“No matter how wonderful Serenity is, she doesn’t belong to you. I’m not undermining my best friend, but the realities of your two lives are simply too different. The Lowe family will never permit you, their heir, to marry a woman who offers nothing beneficial to you and your family.
“Serenity has no support, power, or authority. She merely runs a small business, which is of no advantage to a large company like yours. Do you really believe you can marry her just because you have feelings for her? Have you thought about the practical implications?
“Shawn, you’re still too young to see the bigger picture clearly. It’s overly naive to assume you can marry someone simply because you like them. Please listen to me and stop fixating on Serenity. She’s already married!”