Love is a mistake that cannot be escaped

sleepless nights.

My baby was sleeping soundly in my arms, but I felt like I had fallen into a bottomless abyss and couldn't climb out.

As dawn broke, I finally made my decision. I would protect Gu Yichen, even if it meant losing him.

I gently placed Xiaobao on the bed, covered him with a blanket, and then went to the study. Looking at Gu Yichen, who was still fast asleep, my heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.

I so wish I could stay by his side forever and never let go. But I can't be so selfish.

I took a deep breath, walked to his side, and gently nudged him. "Yichen, wake up."

Gu Yichen groggily opened his eyes, and when he saw me, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "Why are you up so early?"

"I have something to say to you." I tried hard to control my emotions and keep my voice from trembling.

"Hmm?" Gu Yichen sat up, rubbed his eyes, and looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Let's... break up." When I said those words, I felt like my heart was breaking.

Gu Yichen was stunned for a moment, thinking he had misheard. "What did you say?"

"I said, let's break up." I repeated, fighting back my tears.

"Why?" Gu Yichen grabbed my hand, his voice urgent. "Did I do something wrong? Tell me, and I'll change, okay?"

"No, you did nothing wrong, it was me..." My voice choked, and I couldn't say anything more.

"What's wrong? Tell me, please don't torture me like this, okay?" Gu Yichen's eyes were bloodshot, and his tone was pleading.

I forcefully shook off his hand. "I'm sorry, I'm not ready for marriage yet. Let's... leave it at that." With that, I fled the study as if I were escaping.

I heard Gu Yichen's pained voice behind me, and my heart felt like it was being pricked by needles. But I couldn't turn around. I was afraid I would run to him and tell him the truth, tell him how much I loved him.

I fled back to my bedroom, tightly covering my mouth to stifle my sobs. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart; the pain was so intense I could barely breathe.

"Mommy, Mommy..." In a daze, Xiao Bao woke up. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, saw me, and immediately reached out his little hands for me to hold him.

I fought back my tears, hugged him tightly, and choked out, "Little Bao, Mommy's here."

"Mom, why are you crying? Did Dad bully you?"

Little Bao wiped away my tears with his chubby little hands and asked in his childish voice.

I shook my head and hugged him even tighter.

At this moment, Gu Yichen also walked in. His face was pale and his eyes were red, clearly indicating that he had not slept all night.

"Xiao Bao, play by yourself for a while. Daddy and Mommy have something to talk about."

Gu Yichen's voice was terribly hoarse.

Xiao Bao glanced at me, then at Gu Yichen, seemingly sensing that something was amiss, but he still obediently slid off my lap and started playing with building blocks by himself.

"Yan Yan, what's wrong with you? Why did you say you wanted to break up? Did something happen?"

Gu Yichen walked up to me and asked urgently.

I turned my face away from him. "No, I just... I've thought it through. We're not right for each other."

"Not compatible? What's wrong with us? We clearly love each other so much!"

Gu Yichen said excitedly, grabbing my shoulder, "Yan Yan, don't be like this, tell me, what happened? Did someone threaten you?"

"No, don't overthink it!" I pushed him away forcefully. "I just... don't want to be with you anymore, do you understand?"

My tone was icy, like a sharp blade, piercing his heart.

Gu Yichen stared at me blankly, his eyes filled with hurt and disbelief.

"Mommy, don't you want Daddy anymore?" Xiao Bao suddenly ran over, hugged my leg, looked up at me and asked, his big eyes filled with tears.

My heart skipped a beat, and tears welled up in my eyes.

I hardened my heart, pried Xiaobao's hands off, and fled from home as if I were escaping.

I dared not turn back, afraid that if I did, I would not be able to leave.

I know what I'm doing is cruel—cruel to Gu Yichen, cruel to Xiaobao, and even crueler to myself. But I have no other choice.

After I left, Gu Yichen seemed to have lost his soul, locking himself in his study all day and refusing to see anyone.

Xiao Bao cried and fussed for his mother, but all he could do was coax her over and over again, saying that she would be back soon.

However, he knew that once Fu Yan left, she might never come back.

Lu Mingxuan and Gu Yichen also rushed over, and were shocked to see Gu Yichen's dejected appearance.

"Yichen, what's wrong with you? Where's Fu Yan?" Lu Mingxuan asked anxiously.

Gu Yichen shook his head weakly and said in a hoarse voice, "She left, saying she wanted to break up with me."

"What?" Lu Mingxuan and Gu Yichen exclaimed in unison.

"How could this happen? You were all fine before!"

Gu Yichen asked incredulously, "The Fu Yan I remember, although she was a bit cold, was very good to my brother and nephew. Why would she suddenly propose breaking up?"

Gu Yichen closed his eyes in pain, his mind replaying Fu Yan's resolute gaze and cold words as she left. His heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife, bleeding profusely.

“I don’t know. When I asked her why, she wouldn’t say anything.”

Lu Mingxuan patted Gu Yichen on the shoulder and comforted him, "Don't worry, I'll go find her and find out what happened."

Gu Yichen shook his head and said with a wry smile, "It's no use. No one can change her mind once she's made up her mind."

He knew that Fu Yan was a girl who was gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, and once she made a decision, she would not easily change it.

However, he didn't know what exactly made her so resolutely give up their relationship and their home.

Lu Mingxuan said he was coming to find me. I know he's a decisive person and always keeps his word, so I waited at home.

Sure enough, he came the next day, and as soon as he walked in, he bombarded me with questions: "Fu Yan, what on earth are you doing? Why did you break up with Yi Chen? Do you know that he almost..."

"What's wrong with him?" My heart clenched, and I asked anxiously.

Lu Mingxuan hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed and said, "Go and see for yourself. The way he looks now is truly heartbreaking."

I followed Lu Mingxuan to Gu Yichen's house. As soon as Xiaobao saw me, he immediately burst into tears and ran into my arms, crying, "Mommy, don't go, don't leave me and Daddy..."

My heart felt like it was being pricked by needles. I held my baby tightly, tears streaming down my face.

Gu Yichen stood not far away, looking at me and Xiaobao with complicated expressions. His face was pale, and there was stubble on his chin. He looked much more haggard.

I forced back my heartache, handed Xiao Bao to Gu Yichen, and turned to leave.

"Yan Yan!" Gu Yichen's hoarse voice came from behind.

I stopped walking, but I didn't turn around.

"Shall we talk?"

I took a deep breath, turned around, and met his eyes, which were filled with sadness and confusion. I said, word by word, "There's nothing to talk about. I've made up my mind. We..."

Before I could finish speaking, I was interrupted by a rapid doorbell ring.

Gu Yichen frowned and turned to open the door.

A man in a suit and tie stood outside the door, holding a document in his hand. He said with a serious expression, "Mr. Gu, we suspect you of economic crimes. Please come with us."

My pupils constricted sharply as I stared in disbelief at the scene before me…