Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

— “Did your mother ever love me, Kathryn?” Holden asked, but before she could answer, he laughed bitterly.

“No, she didn't.

She never loved me.

Few people wanted to be with her, but I did.

She couldn't get Mr. Jimenez’s love, and she needed an heir, so she stayed with me.” Kathryn remained quiet.

She didn't know if her mother had ever truly cared for her father.

Maybe she had, maybe she hadn't.

But now, it didn’t matter—her mother was gone.

Holden continued, “I spent decades trying to warm her heart, but I couldn't.

I failed as a man, Kathryn.

she had loved me even a little, I wouldn't have looked for excitement elsewhere or cheated

at her.” Kathryn pursed her lips and said, “I

have had four children with you, and she wouldn't have been so angry when you cheated.” Desperate for reassurance, Holden asked again, “Really?

don't try to comfort

she never

had children with me because

back then, she wouldn't have married me at all.” “When I cheated, it wasn't because she

because I embarrassed

stand my

and been willing to be with her, she would've left me for him.” “She would've cheated first, and she wouldn't have cared whether

thought about herself, controlling others as she

was just there to help

Mr. Jimenez, for Shiloh, and the last bit was for you, Kathryn.” Kathryn softly responded, “Dad, she did love

your brothers as much because they werent

had been more successful, maybe she

your brothers took after me and were therefore useless.” “She always said the daughters of the Farrell family

are just like regular people.” Only

“Dad, Mom’s gone