Love On The Brink
1: The Seed of Doubt – Jia Yi's Perspective at School
Jia Yi sat at her usual table in the university courtyard, absently stirring her iced coffee. The afternoon sun bathed the campus in a golden hue, and the lively chatter of students filled the air. But none of it reached her.
Her phone lay face-up on the table, the screen dimmed after she had hesitated to open WeChat.
She had been waiting.
Waiting for a simple message from him.
Then, in the distance, she caught sight of a familiar sleek black Bugatti pulling up near the campus entrance. Her eyes instinctively followed the luxurious car, curiosity and anticipation swirling in her chest.
And then she saw her.
Xin Er.
The elegant, dark-blue-haired beauty stood near the entrance, her posture graceful as always. The moment Joshua stepped out of his car, a soft smile graced her lips—one Jia Yi recognized far too well.
The way she rushed toward him, the way he gently teased her, and how she practically glowed beside him as they got into the car together…
Jia Yi's grip on her coffee cup tightened.
He's just being nice… right?
He's just taking her out because she's new to all of this… right?
She forced herself to look away, to not overthink.
But the sinking feeling in her chest refused to go away.
Scene 2: The Long Wait at the Villa – A Spiral into Doubt
Jia Yi sat curled up on the couch in the grand Horizon Hill villa, staring at the cold dinner she had prepared hours ago.
She had even left a note beside the dishes:
"I know you'll be late, so make sure to heat up the food and eat it while it's hot."
It was simple. Thoughtful. Loving.
But the untouched food and the silent phone on the table screamed the truth at her.
He hasn't even replied to my messages.
She tried to reassure herself—Joshua was busy, right? Maybe he just lost track of time.
But as the clock struck midnight, then 1 AM, then finally 2 AM, her patience, her hope, her restraint shattered.
Scene 3: The Moment He Walks In – The Emotional Snap
Joshua finally stepped through the front door of the villa, exuding his usual composed confidence.
He had barely taken off his jacket when—
"Do you even care about me anymore?!"
The sudden outburst made Joshua freeze mid-step.
Jia Yi was standing in the dimly lit living room, her eyes red, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as if holding herself together.
"Am I just another girl to you, Joshua?!" Her voice trembled, but the fire in her gaze burned.
Joshua exhaled, placing his jacket on the chair. "Jia Yi—"
"Don't you dare say you were just busy!" she cut him off, her voice breaking. "You left me here waiting all night! I made you dinner, I messaged you—"
Her chest rose and fell heavily. The anger, the hurt, the fear—it all poured out.
"And you didn't even care."
Joshua rubbed his temples, his guilt growing by the second. Then, his gaze landed on the dinner table.
On the untouched food.
And the note.
His throat tightened.
"…I didn't mean to make you feel like this," he finally said, his voice softer.
"Then why do I feel like I don't matter anymore?"
That hit him like a punch to the gut.
"I know you have other women in your life, Joshua," Jia Yi continued, her voice cracking. "I told myself I could handle it. That I wouldn't let it bother me. But… watching you with her today, knowing you spent the whole night with her while I sat here waiting—"
A tear slipped down her cheek. "It hurts."
Joshua's fists clenched. He had been so caught up in everything—Xin Er's happiness, her musical passion, the ease of their time together—that he hadn't realized…
He had left Jia Yi behind.
And now, he was on the verge of losing her.
Scene 4: The Breaking Point – Jia Yi Tries to Leave
Jia Yi suddenly turned and stormed into the bedroom, grabbing her suitcase.
"Jia Yi—what are you doing?" Joshua followed, tension lacing his voice.
"I'm leaving," she said flatly, shoving her clothes into the bag.
Joshua felt something snap inside him.
"You're running away?" His voice darkened. "That's your answer?"
Jia Yi whipped around, tears brimming in her eyes.
"What else am I supposed to do?!" she shouted. "Sit around and pretend I'm okay with this?! With feeling like I'm just another one of your women?!"
Her hands shook as she clutched the suitcase handle.
"…I love you, Joshua."
His breath caught.
"But I can't be in love with someone who makes me feel like I'm second place."
She grabbed the handle, ready to walk out.
Scene 5: The Desperate Confession – "You're Mine."
But the moment she stepped past him—
Joshua grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
His arms wrapped around her tightly, desperately, as if letting go would mean losing her forever.
"Don't you dare walk away from me," he murmured, his voice raw.
Jia Yi stiffened, her breath hitching.
"Do you really think I don't love you?" His voice trembled slightly. "Do you think I would let you go if you didn't mean everything to me?"
Jia Yi clenched her jaw, tears slipping down faster. "Then why—"
Joshua silenced her with a kiss.
Not a gentle, hesitant one.
But a deep, urgent, aching kiss—one that devoured her fears and poured every ounce of emotion he had into her.
Jia Yi gasped softly, her hands gripping his shirt as his warmth surrounded her.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers, both of them breathless.
"I love you, Jia Yi," Joshua whispered. "And I'm sorry. For everything. I promise, I will never make you feel like this again."
Jia Yi's walls crumbled.
With a choked sob, she buried herself into his chest, gripping his shirt tightly.
"I love you too, you idiot," she whispered.
Joshua smirked slightly, despite the tears in her voice.
"Good," he murmured against her hair, tightening his arms around her. "Because you're mine."
Scene 6: The System's Response
As their embrace deepened, a system notification flashed before Joshua's eyes.
[System Notification]
✔ Jia Yi Favorability +10 → (Total: 95) [Deep Emotional Bond Formed]
✔ New Reward: ?? (To Be Unlocked in the Next Chapter!)
Joshua smiled to himself.
He didn't need a system to tell him how much she meant to him.
But he would make damn sure she never doubted it again.
TO BE CONTINUED…