“I was really sick a while back, and I lost some of my memories. So… would you mind telling me again about what happened between us? Maybe it’ll help me remember…”
Marina offered a shy smile and reached for the young man’s hand.
From that day on, she became Rina-
She became Jonathan’s first love.
After Marina finished telling Edna about her first encounter with Jonathan, Edna’s expression grew even darker.
“So, the reason Jonathan’s been so distant with you lately… is it because he’s found out? Does he know you’re not really his first love?”
Edna’s question made Marina’s heart sink.
She was silent for a long time, then finally shook her head.
“No… I don’t think Jonathan’s realized yet…”
“Are you sure?”
Edna sounded skeptical.
Marina hesitated, but nodded.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
Marina prided herself on understanding Jonathan.
It was this confidence–this belief that she truly knew him–that made his changes hit her all the harder.
At first, when Jonathan had finally found his Rina, he doted on her endlessly.
After she transferred to Aldenville Premier Academy, she became the envy of the entire school–students and teachers alike.
Because Jonathan liked her. She was Jonathan’s girlfriend.
Michael Burton liked her too, and would do anything she asked.
Preston Winslow was also smitten, always happy to follow her and Jonathan around.
1/3
Chapter 374
For the first half of senior year, Marina genuinely thought she was the happiest girl
on earth.
But…
People grow up.
When you’re young, it’s easy to believe in love and throw yourself into it without a second thought, as if nothing else matters. But as you get older, life fills up with more and more responsibilities.
Jonathan was proof of that.
He was talented, and his family’s business–The Thomas Group–had been handed over to him early on.
Once he started running The Thomas Group, he had less and less time for Marina.
On top of that, Jonathan’s grandfather was constantly pressing him to focus, and Marina could feel, all too clearly, that Jonathan didn’t love her the way he used to.
That was why, in a burst of anger, she’d decided to leave the country.
She wanted back the Jonathan who had just found her, who saw no one but her, whose heart and mind belonged to only her-
Even if she wasn’t truly Rina.
“If… if Jonathan really does know I’m not Rina…”
Marina whispered, her voice trembling.
Edna, gripping her daughter’s shoulders, felt Marina shudder.
Jonathan would never let her off the hook.
If he discovered that all these years she had been deceiving him–pretending to be Rina, exploiting his feelings, enjoying everything he gave her…
He might even be capable of killing her.
H
The more Marina thought about it, the more terrified she became. Her face went white as a sheet.
Edna knew exactly what her daughter was afraid of.
She was scared, too.
T
The Thornton family was nothing compared to the powerful, wealthy Thomases. If
the truth ever came out, it wouldn’t just be Marina in trouble–her whole family
2/3
would be dragged down with her.
“Listen to me, sweetheart. i know how hard this is for you, but you absolutely cannot tell anyone about this. Take it to your grave. You are Rina. No matter what anyone says, you are Jonathan’s first love, do you understand?”
Edna’s words were firm, leaving no room for argument.
“But, Mom…. what if… what if one day Jonathan meets the real Rina?”
“Impossible!”
Edna cut her off sharply, her voice steely.
“To Jonathan, you are Rina. He already has you–why would he go looking for someone else? Remember this, Marina: your only weapon now is this identity. Use it. As long as you’re Rina, Jonathan will never let go of his feelings for you. Everyone sees their first love through rose–tinted glasses–men and women both…” “…Okay.”
Marina nodded, but her face was still clouded with worry.
“And as for that Niamh…”
The sudden mention of Niamh’s name from her mother’s lips made Marina look up in surprise.
Chapter 375
Chapter 375
