The CEO’S Unplanned Heir novel (Aurelia and Leopold)
Chapter 217

Chapter 217

Aurelia sighed softly, “Isn't it hard to really let go of someone you've truly loved?”

Wasn't Leopold still hung up on Megan even today? Once someone has carved their way into yourheart, it's hard to forget them, isn't it?

Arnold looked at her intently, his gaze full of meaning. “Have you never met someone you trulyloved?”

Aurelia dropped her gaze, absent-mindedly stirring her bowl of clam chowder.

She had met Arnold, in Willowbrook! That was her first heart flutter. Unfortunately, she was the onlyone falling in love!

She forced a smile, “Can't force fate, can we? The one I love might not love me back. Even if they do,they might not love me faithfully, or want to spend their life with me. To avoid the heartbreak of abreakup, I might as well not date.”

A hint of deep sadness passed through Arnold's eyes. He picked up his phone, showing her a photoof a beautiful woman.

“This is my mom.”

Aurelia blinked in surprise, “She's absolutely stunning, you look a lot like her.”

Arnold shrugged, “She was beautiful, but she wasn't as beautiful as Jessica. When Jessica was young,she was a sight to behold a real head-turner. No woman could come close.”

Aurelia was taken aback. She had only met Jessica once. Although she was older, her beauty andelegance were still very evident. She wasn't just beautiful, she exuded a natural nobility.

She had always thought Arnold's mom would be a femme fatale, but...

Swallowing hard, she murmured, “I heard she was Mr. Chad's greatest love.”

Arnold took a sip of his juice, “Indeed, when my father first saw Jessica, he was smitten. She camefrom a good family, a perfect match for the Stirling family. My grandfather was overjoyed andimmediately agreed their marriage. Their wedding was a global sensation, dubbed the “wedding ofthe century’ by the media.”

He paused, changing the tone, “Unfortunately, the good times didn't last. After Jessica gave birth tomy eldest sister, my father had an affair. By the time Jessica had my second sister, my older brotherwas already born, and by the time she had my third sister, my second brother was born. If a manloves a woman for her beauty, then he'll definitely change his heart.”

Aurelia couldn't argue with that. Mr. Chad was a classic womanizer! No wonder Leopold despisedhim!

Jessica stuck it out for the better part of her life. How much courage and forbearance must thathave

taken?

If she were in Jessica's shoes, she would have kicked him to the curb. No, she wouldn't have marriedhim in the first place!

Arnold seemed to read her mind, “So you sympathize with Jessica?”

"I..." Aurelia bit her lip, unsure of how to respond.

“It's okay.” He smiled, unfazed, “In an affair, the wife is always the one who gets hurt the most. Tooutsiders, the homewrecker is either young or beautiful. But my mom wasn't that young, she wasonly three years younger than Jessica. My dad loved her, not for her looks, but because they sharedcommon interests. She understood him, and they were kindred spirits. Real love is when you fall inlove with someone's soul. Only a soulmate can offer the most solid and enduring love.”

His words hit Aurelia hard, shaking her to the core! He had explained the essence of love soeloquently!

Now, she was absolutely sure — Leopold would never have the slightest bit of feelings for her. Notnow, not

ever!

Because what he despised wasn't her appearance — she wasn't ugly! What he despised was herinsignificant, unimportant, and exceedingly ordinary soul!

“If Mr. Chad hadn't married, perhaps a lot of heartbreak could have been avoided.”

“That's what I think too.” Amold sighed, a shadow of sadness crossing his handsome face.

“I won't repeat the tragedy of the previous generation. If I don't meet a soulmate, I won't getmarried. That way, when I do meet her, I can marry her without any guilt. She won't have to be “theother woman’, and an innocent wife won't be hurt.”